Chocolate Cake

Here in Manitoba, we have been blessed this spring with unusually warm weather, and I have thus far been taking full advantage of this. This weekend was no exception. I decided to venture to Spruce Woods Provincial Park near Carberry. I had been there previously a few years ago, but did not explore the area to my satisfaction. Like so many other facets of my life, I felt this needed to be rectified.

Saturday started early, and I was on the road by 07hr20. My intention was to reach the park early to avoid the typical increase of visitors that occurs early in the afternoon, and to beat the heat. I was venturing into a desert, you see. I wanted to explore the Spirit Sands, an area that has been historically revered and respected by indigenous tribes of the area. Like all things sacred, new comers to the land have a need to make their mark as well.

You see this sign as soon as you enter the trail. I found this placard to be all at once comical, cementing, and heartbreaking. Comical because if you get a chance to hike this area, I'm sure you will agree that it is one of the most peaceful experiences one may have. Cementing because even in areas such as this one, in mined areas, and any other place man decided to lay to waste, nature with all its patience and tenacity, has the ethereal ability to restore itself without prejudice. And heartbreaking because, despite mankind's ability to choose and reason, we still continue to abuse the only thing that keeps us alive and thriving.

But I will go on and enjoy the day and what it has to offer. And did this day have much to offer!

Shortly up the trail, there is a fork where you can choose which direction to go. The path to the right, of shorter distance, takes you to the sand dunes. The path to the left, of a longer distance, takes you to the Devil's punch bowl. I opted for the shorter trail to start and headed for the sand dunes. Like the knowledge of having chocolate cake for dessert, I left the Devil's punch bowl for last. I mean, who can resist a name like "Devil's punch bowl"!! This would be my dessert.

I was alone in the park which was very nice. I think that the serenity of the place might have been lost on me if I was constantly walking into loudly talking people with their unrestrained dogs. I took a detour to a vantage point set atop a large hill, allowing for some pretty impressive views of the park. I really enjoy this photo below because it reminds me of an artscape a friend of mine had done downtown a few years ago. He created large "spots" of plywood covered with live grass and attached them on the sides of buildings along an alley way, in an effort, I believe, to bring a quintessential piece of suburban vegetation (grass) into hostile territory.

The landscape here, like the rest of Manitoba, is unique to its location. I have had the opportunity, through my current job, and with previous jobs, to travel all over Manitoba. From the fertile lands of southern Manitoba, to the clay laden ground of the Interlake, the moon-like terrain of Flin Flon, the glacier scarred shield of the east, the densely forrested lands of central Manitoba, and rounding off nicely with the bottomless sands of Reindeer Lake. This is why Manitoba is so interesting to me. It is completely diverse, yet always feels like home.

Today's home being Spruce Woods, would start kicking my behind very shortly as I realized I need to work out more. The trail through the sand dunes was very challenging. Thankfully, ladders, like the one pictured below, assisted noodle legged hikers like myself make it up some pretty tough inclines. These ladders were a godsend going up, but going down was an entirely different story. The logs, strung together with cable wire, rolled underneath your feet if not rooted, and the blown sand created a surface akin to ice coated sidewalks.

The sand dunes had a very unusual effect on me. While in complete awe of the versatility of the vegetation able to grow here (including an tight forest oasis of pines), I couldn't stop taking pleasure in the textures and temporariness of the sand. In some areas, the sand was rippled like a creek on a breezy day. Other areas where the lee of a dune was more protected, the sand draped the hill side like a smooth velvet blanket.

I lost the trail at one point because the previous hikers footsteps had been blown away, leaving me to scurry up and down three dunes to get back on track to avoid damaging the fragile plants that grew along the bases. I kept finding these entirely charming sand circles (for lack of a better term). Fallen plants, still rooted, had been blown in circles creating consistent patterns, like the one below.

After I exhausted the sand dunes, I went for the cake! The trail to the Devil's Punch Bowl was much more typical to other trails I have hiked (apart from the mostly sand trail bed). The trees were already leafing, and the spring flowers were out. Still no one on the trail! Thank goodness, because I probably looked a wreck, what with my pants rolled up, bandanna on my head, and dirty from kneeling or laying on the ground trying to get a decent picture. I did spot the crocus again!

The hike to the punch bowl was drastically less taxing on my legs than the hike through the dunes. It was nice to enjoy a leisurely walk through the park, taking in spring, and just being outside. When I reached the punch bowl, I was rewarded by a colourful body of water. Reds, greens, and blues mixed seamlessly to create a unique fixture in this park. This body of water feeds into the Assiniboine River, and is endured by an underground stream. The Devil's Punch Bowl, certainly took the cake.

I found Spruce Woods Provincial Park to be a very rewarding experience. The Devil's Punch Bowl is certainly an amazing sight to be seen. I did find, however, the hike through the sand dunes to be my favourite part of the days journey. It was unusual, refreshing, and thought provoking. I think I may have to revisit this place again.

Along the whole of the trail, I was constantly picking up garbage until my pockets couldn't contain any more. I kicked myself repeatedly for not bringing a garbage bag. I guess a part of me would hope that people would have enough respect and regard for such a fragile ecosystem such as this. But then again, we did test explosives here...

Until next time, just because the wind may blow your footprints away, you still leave a trail behind.