Another long cold snap in Winnipeg brings me back to thoughts of cruising Lake of the Woods on Bluemoon Houseboat. 2020 was a rough year for everyone. Our family was very fortunate to remain healthy and able to gather together at the lake during the summer and fall. Planning island stays and working on renovations kept us very busy. Here are a few new additions to Bluemoon Houseboat.

The plans for spring 2021 are still being finalized, and of course depend entirely on Canada’s response to the ongoing pandemic. With luck, we can return to work on Bluemoon Houseboat come May and begin phase 3 of our renovations. One thing is for certian, we’re all dreaming of those lazy days on the lake.

Sitting here in the deep of a long cold Winnipeg winter, I feel motivated to gather together some words and pictures about our newest adventure, Blue Moon Houseboat. It started officially in the spring of 2019, driving back from visiting family in Kelowna. I had houseboats on the mind for a couple years since we took a family vacation on one in Shuswap, but didn’t think it was a realistic goal. When our boat showed up on an online ad, it seemed too good to be true. Not everyone would think an old houseboat from 1974 was the perfect find, but you know that I did! A week later we were trudging through the spring snow of the Canadian shield to see our boat frozen in the lake.

Just like that, our family became houseboat owners. Throughout May, June and part of July we worked like weekend warriors on renovating our boat. The first round of renos included removing and replacing the kitchen cabinets, trying to fix the fridge and ultimately getting rid of it, installing new vinyl plank flooring, removing upper deck rug and installing an acacia wood deck, replaced the couch with a new modern fold out one for extra sleeping room, replaced the old toilet with a much nicer, cleaner version, installed 3 large solar panels and wired them up, painted the walls a fresh white with blue accents and stained the moldings a soft grey driftwood, set up a proper system to make the slide a waterslide, plus fixed and improved a ton of little things that caused countless trips to Canadian tire. There were a lot of challenges, and we didn’t always have power or tools for the job. Sometimes we were soooooo frustrated! There is still a lot to do cosmetically as well as additions that will improve the boat’s functionality. I’m still so proud of how we pulled so much together to really transform so much of the houseboat in such a short time.

We pressed pause on renovations to enjoy summer on Lake of the Woods, which is truly one of Canada’s most beautiful places to spend the summer. With more shoreline than Lake Superior (when you include all 14,522 islands) there is an almost endless opportunity to explore by water. For us, Blue Moon has upgraded our camping experience exponentially. We are all itching to get back to our favourite island spots, and to explore all the other X’s on the map. Spring 2020 can’t come soon enough!

It’s been some time since I’ve sat down to write. Since then, we’ve done a bit of traveling. We went to Kelowna to ski at Big White in March. Eve can even manage some blue runs now and is braver than me! I’m getting better too though. This was my best ski trip. Todd accepted a position at a new company. He’s been to Australia already without me! I’m hoping to join him next time. Maybe this summer? Luke is 13 and that’s a big deal. He graduates to High School at the end of next month. In personal news, I decided 6 weeks ago that I’d stop dying my hair completely and let nature take it’s course. I’m looking forward to a new brighter silver look while still at the tail end of my 30’s. It’s a good time to own it.

I guess the biggest change for now is that we’ve decided to sell our beloved Eggie. 8 years ago I bought her with my own money that I’d earned through Lune. She is mine, and that always felt good. Yes, she was Todd’s and Luke’s and Eve’s, but she always stood as a testament to my crazy ideas and my ability to jump whole heartedly at adventure. That’s the Sagittarius way! Eggie brought us to places I’ll never forget. We had wild adventures, and quiet peaceful moments, and I don’t regret a single moment. So why is this the end of the road for Eggie and I? Driving home from Kelowna, back across the prairies, I fell in love again.

I fell in love with a vintage 1970’s Houseboat. It really wasn’t so sudden. Ever since we spent a week on a houseboat on Shuswap Lake in BC, I’ve been casually adding “houseboat” to my classified’s search. This time, the stars aligned and it was right. The right boat, the right lake, the right price, the right time. So that’s it then! A week later we were hiking trough knee deep snow in NW Ontario to view a houseboat sitting quietly on a frozen lake. So, a new chapter opens as another closes. This boat will mean more time with the people I love, a chance to learn new skills like boating and fishing, and a LOT more time on one of Canada’s most wild and beautiful lake systems, Lake of the Woods. I’ll return next with the first pictures of our houseboat, Blue Moon.

Eggie was a gift to our family that made us so many wonderful memories and helped strengthen our bond with the natural world. I know whoever her next owner is will experience the same. She’s got a lot to give!

We’ve been to Wisconsin several times over the years, but never had a chance to visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin home. This time around, my Mom and I spent a wonderful morning exploring the grounds and learning all about the history of the area, and some of the fascinating stories from the life of this famous architect. You definitely don’t need to be a student of architecture to appreciate the genius of this place. It’s pure magic. Here are just a few of the pictures I took to help me remember a flawless summer morning meandering through the hills, school, studio, theatre, farm and home of Frank Lloyd Wright. Enjoy!

Situated in the area of Spring Green, Wisconsin, the Taliesin property is maintained by Taliesin Preservation Inc. Tours and events fund ongoing restoration of the grounds and estate. Read about available tours HERE.

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Hope these images encourage you to make a trip to Taliesin the next time you’re in Wisconsin. We took the Estate Tour which brings you to the Hillside Studio & Theater, the Taliesin home, Tan-y-Deri and more during a four-hour tour. It’s a memorable, educational, and inspiring experience!

Sometimes the best adventures come to you as a surprise, where you throw it all together on short notice and just go!

This is how our adventure to Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan with Ford Canada started. One morning I was reading an unexpected email in my inbox and a week later, the kids were with their grandparents and Todd and I were flying to Regina to start our adventure. The weekend turned out to be more special than I could have ever imagined. Let me tell you all about it!

After landing in Regina, we met with the other bloggers / vloggers participating in the trip including Cassidy of Brains and Bronzed who we had a nice lunch with before we got started, Amanda of Amandabolic , and Lesley of High Heels and Canola Fields . Everyone was excited to get going, so after a quick overview of the features and functions of the Expedition, Explorer and Escape, we hit the road. Todd and I got to drive the Expedition Limited for this first leg of the trip. Driving down the Trans Canada highway with that panoramic moonroof overhead felt a bit like flying. The wireless phone charging hub was a convenient feature, allowing me to keep a full charge while the bluetooth connection gave me the ability to browse and listen to my music on the vehicles SYNC display. It felt pretty luxurious stepping up on the power deployable running board into the comfortable heated and cooled leather trimmed seats - fancy! 

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What I liked about the Ford Expedition Limited

Todd and I really loved this SUV, but it's pretty easy to like. This vehicle has major power to tow any trailer complete with a 10-Speed Automatic with Selectshift transmission capability, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control  and Trailer Sway Control. Think about pulling a fully loaded Airstream all the way through the Rockies. No problem baby! It'll fit your whole traveling crew of family and friends with a spacious interior that comfortably seats 8. 

Something that impressed us was all the smart, safe driving features that this SUV is equipped with. Adaptive cruise control allows you to set the distance in which you want to follow the vehicle in front of you as you cruise down the highway. This means that you won't have to worry about approaching too quickly. More importantly, if the person ahead stops suddenly the Expedition breaks automatically for you. Experience has taught me that safety should be top priority when purchasing a vehicle, especially when you do a lot of long distance driving. Lane Assist is also included in the Expediton. Have you ever driven for such a long time that you start to experience fatigue? Or maybe something draws your eye and you drift just a bit out of your lane? It happens to the best drivers. Lane Assist helps to keep you on track with sensors that determine when you have not engaged your signal, but are entering another lane. It gently guides the car back for you, and will even let you know if it suspects you are experiencing driver fatigue. I love how it's almost like this car really wants to get you to your destination safely. That's something I'm sure anyone would want for their family.

The sun was on the horizon and the evening air had begun to cool by the time we pulled down a long gravel road to our weekend destination, Historic Reesor Ranch. Cypress Hills is an interprovincial park, meaning it expands on either side of the Saskatchewan Alberta boarder. It is a diverse and beautiful park that will change your opinion of a flat prairie Saskatchewan. The rolling hills and unique conglomerate cliffs of this region had me charmed in an instant, and I couldn't wait to find out what the next morning would bring.

Cypress Hills by ATV and Horseback

Two things to know first. I have never driven an ATV and the last time I was on a horse i was 16 years old. This made me both excited and a bit nervous for what this big day had in store for us. We woke from our cozy bunkhouse cabin on Ranchers Row to a surprisingly cool and misty morning. After a big hearty home cooked breakfast and a bit of our host Scott's cowboy poetry, we donned our rain jackets and headed out with a few of the others in our group to meet our ATV guide. Gas, break, the basics, and we were off up over the hills for a full morning of off-road exploring! How was it? Totally thrilling!

That valley overlook and those alpine wildflowers (yes, alpine flowers on the prairies!) took my breath away. That, and the wild wind that whipped around us making the tall grass blow in undulating waves. We crossed closely by grazing cattle as we traveled through the pastures and spotted them roaming free in the forested hillsides. So we continued over, under and through this beautiful place until we came to this pastoral view of the Ranch. 

As the sky cleared, the group of us picked up our packed picnic lunches from our host Theresa and took a break before heading out to the stables. Time for a lesson on horseback riding! I was apprehensive but determined to make the most of it. I think horses are beautiful, but they are big, strong and in my opinion - every creature has a mind of it's own. Would the horse I was riding sense that I was apprehensive and just do it's own thing? Meet Pablo.

Pablo is a beautiful male horse who loves to stop and eat grass whenever the heck he wants, but when you get used to that, is a real nice guy. He's also quite handsome. To get started, our ranch guides showed us how to brush our horse friends and how to saddle them up. Then we learned how to ride and guide the horses, which was nerve racking for me, and seemed like no big deal to Todd who also hasn't rode a horse in 20 years. It turns out I really had nothing to worry about (even though I did the whole time). We explored the hills by horseback, up and down the hills, through forest and pasture making this part of the trip my absolute favourite! At one point there were so many cows surrounding us, echoing moos coming from all directions near and far in the trees, I felt like I was in cow Jurrasic Park! So funny, and also really cool for a city girl to experience. 

What I liked about the Ford Explorer

After a full afternoon of horseback riding, we had one more big adventure. This time we took the Ford Explorer off-roading up to the top of the hill overlooking Reesor Ranch. This day never stopped surprising me! As for the Explorer, it got us up there easily with it's Intelligent 4WD with Terrain Management System. I will mention that after a long day of bumpy adventurous rides, I very much appreciated that the Explorer also massaged my back and butt. I really need massage seats in my life! After taking pictures together with our vehicles, and enjoying the view, we rode back down the hill with Hill Descent Control . This feature controls the speed in which you want to descend and automatically applies the brake when needed to safely make your way back down in the most efficient way possible. What a smart vehicle! I've admired the Explorer for many years and it just keeps getting better as time goes by.

The last day of our journey, Todd and I drove the Ford Escape Titanium to Fort Walsh National Historic Site. It was a beautiful day to take a walk down into the valley. We love hearing the story places we visit have to tell, and Fort Walsh gave us a look into our Canadian past as well as life and law on the prairies. 

What we liked about the Ford Escape Titanium

Our vehicle for the ride back to Regina was the Ford Escape. This all wheel drive SUV provides a great balance between size, fuel economy, and capability to take you safely where you need to go. It even kept up with the Expedition and Explorer on our convoy up the Cypress Hills ! Safety features like Curve Control give you extra confidence when driving down a winding road by adjusting speed and transferring traction to the tires that need it most. Easy to drive and park (it features Enhanced Active Park Assist) the Escape is the perfect car to go from city living to the odd weekend away in the country or road trip vacation. 

There were so many times during this weekend where I appreciated how lucky Todd and I were to be enjoying this experience. Ford Canada really took into consideration how their SUV's can enhance the real Canadian road-trip. We know exactly what it's like to want to travel, only to have your grand plans of adventure be truly messed up by an unreliable vehicle. Read about our breakdown in Montana HERE for an example of how we know this situation VERY well. I know a big concern for people looking for a new car is fuel economy. The truth is, if you want to tow a trailer and travel far distances with a family or group of friends, an SUV is your best most reliable option. Ford's EcoBoost engines make their SUV line as fuel efficient and powerful as possible.

This past spring we needed to replace our old van (the culprit of that road trip disaster I mentioned earlier) and decided on another of Fords line of SUV's and crossovers, the Ford Flex. When asked to join in this trip, I knew I'd be comfortable standing behind my reviews of these vehicles since we've had such a great experience with our own Ford. I hope you've enjoyed a look at taking the road less traveled with these great SUV's. Thank you Ford Canada for this memorable experience visiting the beautiful Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park and to Historic Reesor Ranch for their outstanding hospitality. 

Last year Todd and I took a 10 day road trip from Winnipeg to Portland, then back along the coast to Astoria. It's incredible how full 10 days can feel when you're traveling, seeing new things and making memories. I don't think I'll ever forget that trip, and if I do, no problem. I took 2000 photos to help jog my memory! 

I love AirBnb and tell everyone who hasn't tried it out that they're missing out! Staying in actual neighbourhoods on our travels has enhanced our experience of the cities we visit. A great example of this was our Airbnb stay in Portland's Mt. Tabor neighbourhood. We chose this location as home base because of it's proximity to beautiful Mt. Tabor park. Usually I wouldn't be too keen on hanging out near a volcano, but Mt. Tabor has been extinct volcanic vent for over 300,000 years. A beautiful natural park graces it's elevation, giving visitors a scenic view of Portland and Mt. Hood in the distance.

The Airbnb we stayed in was attached to a family home on a residential street. It had it's own private side entrance and enclosed patio. Our host greeted us even though we rolled in after dark. After showing us around the cute studio apartment, we settled in to plan for the next day. The guide books left for us were really helpful in giving us ideas of where to start off.  

The next morning we started off our day with a light breakfast and coffee at Coquin. After breakfast, we took a walk around Mt. Tabor Park, climbing sets of stairs that lead to the summit. This park is a peaceful oasis in a bustling city with great views and tons of shade. 

If you enjoy walking or biking, you can get to Portlands popular off beat shopping strips on Hawthorne and Belmont from the Mt. Tabor neighbourhood. There is easy public transportation available as well if you get sick of hoofing it.  I wrote about Vintage Shopping in Portland here a few months ago. On our walk to that worthwhile destination we got a better sense of what it would be like to live in a Portland neighbourhood. There is a lot of green everywhere, big beautiful roses sprouting from boulevards and gardens, lush trees and vines creeping up century old buildings. Churches and character homes house coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques. There's always something to stop and look at. Just my kind of place!

Portland is known as The City of Roses. They're not kidding. Everything from wild brambly roses to full cabbage roses adorn the streets. Big blue and purple hydrangeas were total showstoppers. Portland has a popular garden dedicated entirely to roses (The International Rose Test Garden)!

There are also a lot of old theatres in the neighbourhood. We loved spending one night at the Avalon which has a big vintage arcade and bar. If we lived in Portland, we'd probably spend a lot of time here. Todd entered the Space Invaders tournament but the machine lost power when the tesla coil started up. That was a weird show. Thanks Portland!

Airbnb rentals have helped us explore the cities we visit so much. Staying within a neighbourhood really gives you the sense of what it would be like to live there yourself. All those lesser known places to eat, grab a drink, shop, listen to music, or enjoy the view are so much more accessible. It's all part of the adventure of traveling! 

If you would like to try Airbnb out, use this link to sign up. You'll save $45 CAD on your first booking! Worth it! 

It is a calming thing to sit on sandy shores and watch the ocean meet land. But like many things, the true beauty lies in what's underneath. Below that vast blanket of blue, one can get a glimpse of the sea’s vast and numerous mysteries. Lune Blog was once fortunate to get snapshots of the magical world hidden under the waves of Akumal beach. Living coral, colorful fish, strange plants, a giant sea turtle... the ocean is definitely full of surprises. Interestingly, not all of its surprises are borne of nature. Somewhere beneath the waters of Cancun, Mexico lies a collection of curiosities made by human hands.

Image Credit: MUSA Mexico Org Facebook

Beneath the surface of Isla Mujeres' waters, the Underwater Museum is an eerie world molded by contemporary artists and activists. Over 500 sculptures can be found on the ocean floor, which represent the efforts of Roberto Diaz Abraham, former president of the Cancun Nautical Association, and Jaime Gonzalez Cano, Director of the National Marine Park, to promote coral life. These exquisite works of art were created to draw attention away from the Caribbean’s natural reefs in order for them to heal. Made of environmentally friendly material, these sculptures are designed to integrate harmoniously with corals, algae, and other forms of marine life. This man-made underwater world can be explored via scuba diving, snorkeling or by going in a glass bottom boat.

Image Credit: Rio Secreto Facebook

Much to our delight, the Underwater Museum is not the only wonderful secret Cancun hides below the surface. Located in the Yucatan peninsula is the Rio Secreto (Secret River), an underground river that leads to a mysterious non-submerged cave. Stalactites and stalagmites hang from the ceiling, creating a permanent illusion of falling drops of water. The Playa Times calls it one of the best preserved cave systems in Mexico, and is maintained through sustainable processes. As such, only small groups of tourists are allowed to enter the caves.

The natural attractions of Cancun have made it a noteworthy tourist destination, which is why the city also offers superb accommodation. Families can stay at all-suite resort choices like the Royal Cancun, which is located near one of the city’s beautiful white sand beaches. You can relax in the powdery sand or have fun with water activities like sail boating or paddle boarding. When you desire moments of quiet reflection, you can also visit the resort’s botanical garden too. Meanwhile, The Excellence Playa Mujeres is also an ideal getaway for parents because of its white sand beach and spectacular Greg Norman golf course. Being an adults-only retreat, the resort offers honeymoon packages and luxury suites, as well as being known for attracting a whole host of celebrities. Whether you’re with a partner or with family, there will always be a place in Cancun that beckons.

What other treasures does Cancun hide? That’s for all of us to discover. As fellow travelers, we would advise to take the paths less traveled. Search for those hidden wonders and appreciate the memory of them. Be it underwater or on land, Cancun has a lot of attractions definitely worth seeing.

Oh my goodness, do I have a special place to share with you! I hope this post finds it's way into your life because this is exactly why I love to read travel blogs. I don't really have time to become invested in the ongoing day to day narrative of bloggers these days. What I'm looking for is ideas, suggestions, and inspiration when it comes to planning my own adventures. This year I remain passionate about travel blogging with intention, telling stories through photography and recalling my personal experiences in places that I hope you, the reader, will enjoy in the future. What Lune Travels Blog lacks in quantity, I hope I can make up in quality. The best part of blogging has always been knowing I helped introduce someone to a deserving destination, business or service that made their travels that much more special. With that said, I'm pleased to share the unique beauty of the mountains of the Dominican Republic as seen on a warm January evening at Blue Moon Mountain Retreat & Restaurant.

The last time we visited the Dominican Republic, we heard of a guide at a local beach bar that was assembling groups weekly to drive up into the foothills outside of Cabarete for an evening of good food & star gazing. The cuisine is a blend of Indian and Caribbean food,  served on banana leaves and eaten with your hands with a view of the island countryside. This January we signed up in hopes of joining in. A few days later, we were on our way in a pair of transport vans, up the bumpy country road into the lush foothills of the Septentrional Mountains. Luckily the evening was perfectly beautiful with clouds parting just as the sun set, as shown in the vibrant sunset shots I took. Our guide was a German traveler & surfer who had settled in the D.R. because of it's friendly people and natural beauty. He shared his admiration for the island instantly by taking us up to appreciate the sunset over the rolling foothills. 

After mooning at the sunset and taking a few memorable golden hour portraits of one another, we headed back down the verdant slope toward the retreat grounds. Cocktail hour was accented by candlelight, a rising moon over the palms, and conversation with fellow travellers.

Our host introduced herself, welcoming us to her retreat and told us about the fusion of Indian and Caribbean food she would be offering us that evening. The banana leaves were laid out and we were instructed on how to eat with our fingers (as you might know, there is definitely a wrong way to do this). I managed to kick over a drink within minutes of sitting down on the circle of cushions but I'm sure you'll have much more luck at keeping it classy! What followed was a bounty of deliciously spiced pakoras, curries, spiced meats and chutneys. Yum!

I apologize there are feet in all the food photos, but you just need to be laid back like that to enjoy this sort of thing, especially when you're not used to it. Some cramped legs aside (my sweet Todd didn't complain once despite the fact that I don't think i've ever seen him sit crossed legged in all the years we've been together) it was an incredibly enjoyable meal. Tea afterward was followed by a serious lounge and more memorable conversation with the group. It was difficult to leave as the evening grew on, but I am confident that if we return again, we'll make sure to visit Blue Moon restaurant again. It was a night I will always remember.

How to get there

If you are visiting the north shore of the Dominican Republic, you can inquire about the next group trip to Blue Moon at Voy Voy on Cabarete Beach. Sign up a few days before your expected evening out, as a large group is required to attend the retreat. We were able to join our smaller party of 5 with others and really enjoyed meeting other travellers. Visit www.bluemoonretreat.net for full details on their retreat, restaurant, and location. Enjoy!

I'm a vintage shopper by trade, something you may or might not know. In fact, the Lune Blog started off as a way to showcase my finds through my online shop Lune Vintage (still rocking after all these years). Whenever I go to a new city, I always find where the vintage is. As you might imagine, quirky crazy Portland had plenty of it. Here are a few photos from our walk down Hawthorne Ave in Portland, Oregon. 

The Red Light

The Red Light Clothing Exchange is a large, eye catching boutique that sells a ton of unmistakable 70's, rock-n-roll, rock-a-billy, rave wear that sent me back to my teenage years in the mid 90's. Velvet nudes adorn glossy red walls alongside band t's and motorcycle jackets, while clouds of colourful dyed crinolines and decade old polyester prints float above you. This boutique accepts consignment and has some new accessories as well.

House of Vintage

The House of Vintage is your Vintage Wonderland (as the sandwich board outside states). Yeah. It's A LOT. Set up in the consignment format, it seemed to be sorted out like an vendor mall with sections of racks per seller. Clothes upon clothes upon clothes my friends! It's actually pretty overwhelming, which some people might enjoy - depending on your shopping style. Give yourself a solid hour to explore all the nooks in this expansive warehouse.

Vintage Pink

Vintage Pink is a Retro Home and Fashion Boutique that had a real cool vibe. The focus here is definitely on furniture and decor. It's sorted nicely, colourful and fun to browse. You really can't miss it's pink atomic exterior paint job. 

Hawthorne Vintage Modern

I really liked Hawthorne Vintage Modern for midcentury furniture and housewares. If I were shopping for my own home, this is where I'd go regularly. I loved the focus on 60's and 70's era decor. 

Pictured above is Naked City which has a fun mix of repro rockabilly vintage, punk and weird stuff. Not a vintage store, but worth checking out. 

I asked my friend Sadie Lou Vintage, a Portland native, to share her top pics for vintage shopping in the city. She suggests Redlight Vintage, both for shoppers and consigners because business is brisk and there's a lot of rotation and new items. Also on her list is Red Fox Vintage and Buffalo Exchange.  From our experience, you won't have any trouble finding awesome vintage shopping on Hawthorne Ave. Just make sure to make a few stops for refreshments like we did at Cubo and the Portland Cider Company. Pretty much makes for a perfect day!

Thanks for the great vintage shopping Portland! 

like this post? read vintage shopping in haight-ashbury San Fransisco

Your first priority on a getaway to Spruce Woods will be to set up accommodations. Our family spent the weekend in a cozy yurt within Kiche-Manitou Campground. Provincial park yurts really make a perfect hideaway from cool autumn weather. We snuggled up in our own little warm getaway, surrounded by the privacy of the changing forrest. If you enjoy fall camping in your RV, trailer or tent, there are plenty of beautiful campsites to book within the park as well. The yurts offer an electric heater to keep you comfortable as temperatures drop. We thought the log furniture was a nice touch. After setting up our hammock and getting the fire crackling, we felt right at home. From our site, I enjoyed the view off the yurt deck down into the Assiniboine river valley. Blissful!

No matter where we go camping, the kids always want to know where they can go swimming before anything else! Kiche-Manitou Lake serves that purpose. It is a small U shaped oasis edged by a maintained sand beach and grassy picnic area. Along one side of the lake sits an old fort which offers a canteen, camp store, boat rental kiosk and a miniature golf course. Nearby, the interpretative centre hosts educational nature themed presentations put on by park staff in an outdoor auditorium during peak camping season. 

While the campground in Spruce Woods is peaceful and well appointed, the real star of the park is Spirit Sands. Walking through shifting dunes was our ultimate goal on this trip. Hikers can enjoy the trails at their leisure, choosing a route that suits their abilities. Typically, hiking the full trail will take 3 to 4 hours. This area gets very hot during midday so early morning and afternoon is the best time to set out (equipped with lots of water and sun protection). Our family enjoys hiking but we're more accustomed to shady treks under 3 km. Step one of enjoying the day here (or anywhere) is to know and respect your groups ability levels. For us that meant not pushing our kids too far. Happily, Spirit Sands Wagon Outfitters offers scheduled horse drawn wagon rides along the trails that stop at both the dunes and the scenic Devils Punchbowl vista. Our driver shared his bountiful knowledge of the area, its more unique creatures and vegetation, and how the landscape has changed over the years. No motor vehicles are allowed in this protected area, so if you want a ride, horse drawn carriage is where it's at! 

Arriving by foot or wagon, you can view the eerie blue-green waters of a ground fed pond dubbed the Devils Punchbowl. Trails lead up to a scenic outlook, or down to the waters edge. It's quite a sight in person. I could have enjoyed the view for hours. Don't forget to bring a camera!

While you're out in the dunes, make sure to search for special native species, the western hognose snake and the northern prairie skink. We don't have photos to share of those special creatures but we were a bit more lucky on another trail within the park. 

Isputinaw Self-guiding Trail takes you on a hillside climb to look out over the valley. It's a short but slightly challenging walk (about 45 minutes) that includes a log stair built into the steepest part of the trail. I loved this trail because it allowed us to go through marshy areas and up along the hillside for a magnificent view. Wild grape vines climb between the branches of the oak trees. The kids spotted a pair of ruffled grouse right on the trail path. The majority of the trails is shaded by the forrest, which you will very much appreciate on sunny days. 

Spruce Woods Provincial Park is a very special place, and a Manitoba must see. Our wagon tour guide expressed to us how the shifting dunes of Spirit Sands are naturally diminishing over time, giving way to grasses and other plants which root and grow in the hills. Roughly 4 square kilometres remain open to climb, slide down, and enjoy. The views of the beautiful Assiniboine River Valley will take your breath away. We found fall to be the perfect time of year to book a comfortable yurt to stay in. As the leaves change, it becomes quite spectacular ! I hope you've enjoyed visiting Spruce Woods with our family and encourage you to set out on your own adventure there very soon.

Thank you to Travel Westman for asking us to blog about several wonderful places in Western Manitoba. For more information visit www.tourismwestman.ca .

This summer Todd and I enjoyed a roadtrip all the way to the Oregon coast. Tide Pools were high on my list, and I read that Cannon Beach was absolutely gorgeous, as well as a popular spot to see a large tidepool around the scenic Haystack Rock. When we arrived, we were treated to the prettiest little beach town, a long soft sand beach, blue coastal views and a truly wonderful tide pool experience.  Here are a few photos of the Tidepools around Haystack Rock, Oregon and what we discovered within.

Cannon Beach is a dream. It's expansive so even though there are a lot of visitors, there is still so much open beach it hardly seems crowded. You'll find tide pools near Haystack rock, which rises along the shoreline and is impossible to miss. Nearby a conservation officer provides tours of the pools during low tide, which starts around 3pm. Sections are roped off to protect access to climbing Haystack rock. The rock is a fragile nesting area for several bird species such as the Pelagic Cormorant and the Pigeon Guillemot. Other than this restriction, signs are posted to remind visitors to be gentle and careful where they walk as they navigate the pools. 

Here, Todd gently picks up a purple shore crab to show some nearby kids. He loves all the creatures I find creepy, and always tries to convince us how fascinating and miraculous they are. It's a Dad habit I find very adorable in him. Sometimes he has us convinced too. This little guy was pretty cute.

The tide pools are quite a sight, with rocks covered in California muscles and barnacles, limp sea lettuce and sponges. It's like walking into a giant aquarium. Truly amazing!

The Giant Green Anemones above look quite unhappy, but when the tide rolls back in they will bloom and sway again. I wasn't able to find any that were covered with water at the time. The Aggregating Anemones and Ochre Sea Star below were basking in warm shallow pools and showed of their pretty colours. Look, but don't touch is the rule for these delicate creatures. 

Pictured above, a hermit crab (they move faster than you'd think), a western gull, and a horseshoe crab!

Sift a handful of wet sand and you'll discover these little Sand Crabs crawling in your palm. They have no claws, instead using their antennae to sieve the water for food. Again, we work as a team to get a closer look - because there is no way I'd touch one myself!

There are many places to explore tidepools along the coast. We have a few more wonderful creatures to show you from our time by the ocean, as well as a post dedicated to the lovely beach town of Cannon Beach. Stay tuned!

Resources

Explore Beaches

Oregon's Tidepool Species Guide

Bird Watching in Cannon Beach

Clear Lake, Wasagaming, Riding Mountain National Park. Where do we start? There aren’t many places like this special town, nestled in Southwest Manitoba. Every year our family kicks off the summer by spending a few days vacationing in Clear Lake. This July marked Canada’s 150th Birthday so we knew we would be in for a great show. We arrived to grab a spot on the already crowded lawn which overlooked the main beach and spent our first afternoon eyes wide and hearts full of pride for this beautiful country of ours.

This year we booked a spot for our trailer in the Wasagaming Campground. It’s situated right in town, and offers full service sites with easy biking or walking access to shops, restaurants and the main beach. If you’re not into camping, there are many options for accommodations in the town of Clear Lake, ranging from the trendy Lakehouse boutique hotel, to family resorts and even cozy heritage log cabins. Whatever you choose, it’s all right within the townsite and a pleasant walk to all the wonderful shops and restaurants you’ll find there.

When you’re on a vacation in Clear Lake, it’s time to treat yourself to some wonderful dining! We always feel spoiled for choice – so little time, so many delicious treats. My favourite spot for breakfast is the Whitehouse. I always get eggs benedict, because you might as well just go for it on vacation! However, the real reason people love the Whitehouse is for their cinnamon buns. You’ll find a lineup that streams outside filled with cottagers waiting to grab a tray of freshly baked cinnamon buns to take back to the family. They are worth the wait, I promise!

If your sweet cravings hit again (which they always do) there are many places to find satisfaction. BeaverTails near the marina has many options for toppings on their sweet flat pastries shaped like the tail of our national rodent. The Boardwalk is a popular stop for ice-cream, with comfortable lounge chairs out front to people watch and enjoy your cone. Find The Sugar Shop within Scrase’s Merchantile for the kids to go bonkers over. The Chocolate Fox serves up delicious gelato for a lighter treat.

Lakehouse has gone through a wonderful renovation since last year and now has a coffee, smoothie and ice cream shop, along with a beautiful indoor lounge and outdoor patio. The evening scene really picks up here as live music starts up on the outdoor stage and groups gather round fire pits for cocktail hour.

Most of the buildings in Clear Lake are of log construction and maintained to preserve the original look of the town. Every shop and restaurant has so much character. I love the cozy atmosphere of the Wigwam. We took a break from the midday sun to grab lunch and a drink there. For dinner we hit up T.R. McKoys which has delicious pizza and yummy sangria. Dining on their patio is lovely on warm summer evenings. On a rainy day or for a more formal dinner, make sure to make reservations. This is a very popular restaurant, and for good reason. We are always pleased with our meal here.

Right beside T.R. McKoys is the Park Theatre of Wasagaming. It’s Manitoba’s only log structure movie theatre and is the perfect place to take a rest in the evening, or escape a little rain (as we did one night). Little has changed in the theatre, which still has its original seats and lighting. Next door is Danceland where you can catch bands and dance the night away for the price of a social ticket.

Clear Lake has a lot of cute boutiques that offer lake life supplies, clothing and cottage decor. The Clear Lake trading post is a great place to go for groceries and camp needs. The Gorge has quality water sports gear and apparel. For something different, spend time in the Beach Club Exchange, a vintage clothing boutique with used books and a cafe too!

My favourite shop of all, Poor Michaels, will take you a few minutes down the road to Onanole. Give yourself time to browse this eclectic shop which is also a cafe and live music venue. We didn’t catch a show because of all the fireworks and Canada Day festivities going on during the weekend, but next time I’ll make sure to! The staff is super nice and I bought a beautiful cotton jumpsuit from Thailand there. Books, records, handcrafted leather bags, oh my! Whatever your style, you’ll find yourself enjoying wandering in and out of the many shops lining the streets of the area.

Ok, let’s get down to it. The REAL reason anyone visits Riding Mountain National Park is for the outstanding natural beauty of the area. Within Wasagaming, you’ll immediately notice Clear Lake’s main beach. Here, a sandy beach offers gradual access to the clear fresh lake water that ‘s great for families with young kids and sun bathers.

A leisurely walk along the south shore lake trail brings us to public docks where you can swim or launch your canoe or kayak. This is our preference, as the docks offer a gorgeous view of the lake and are far less busy than the popular beach access area. It’s here where you’ll get a good look at that stunning clear water. We swam off of this dock for a couple hours one afternoon, enjoying a packed lunch and watching the world go by, one paddle boarder at a time. Paradise!

Keep hiking along the shoreline and you’ll reach Deep Bay. A historic log cabin sits nestled among the tall pines and wildflowers. It’s currently being used as an artist’s residence. Here, you’ll hear the lapping of water against the rocky shoreline and birdsongs that make you forget the bustle of town. Riding Mountain offers a wealth of trails for half and full day hikes that give a tailored balance to resort life and a nature escape that suits every traveler.

Take a 45 minute long drive to Lake Audy Road and you’ll find (if you’re lucky) a roaming herd of bison. On cool rainy afternoons or early mornings you’ll have the best chance at a close encounter along the single gravel road that runs through the park enclosure. You must stay in a vehicle to experience this adventure because the bison are wild, and huge, and can be very dangerous. We always feel like we’re on a Manitoban safari. It’s exhilarating! The wildflowers are stunning here as well, as are the views of the wide open grasslands.

Back in town, we boarded the Martise, a cruise ship that docks at the Clear Lake Marina. Our afternoon cruise took us around a portion of the lake for a one hour ride. We enjoyed having the captain tell us about the features of Clear Lake itself and of the wildlife in Riding Mountain National Park. It was such a fun and relaxing way to see more of the lake than we would have from shore. The Marina also offers rentals of paddle and motor boats, so if you’d prefer to explore on your own through the lake, it’s a great option. The Martise also offers dinner and sunset cruises, which are best to book ahead so you don’t miss out.

If you want to get really traditional, get your family on a surrey! We rented one of these silly pedal carts and made our way through town. The streets are mainly flat and most people bike or walk in town, so it wasn’t too strenuous. As you can see, the person riding up front always has the best time! The person in the back taking pictures eases up on the peddling when no one notices. The Surrey Station also had fresh squeezed lemonade which was basically impossible to pass up on.

As the sun sets over Clear Lake, we breathe in that fresh Manitoba air and feel so thankful to be spending our summers enjoying the beauty and diversity that this place offers. There is something here for everyone. So consider yourself warned. Once you experience Clear Lake, you’re guaranteed to get hooked, and return every summer just like us!

Resources

Tourism Westman - the best resource for travel in Southwestern Manitoba

Manitoba enjoyed Canada's best summer for 2017! (It's confirmed here) I can certainly attest to that, as we made a point to be out camping, day tripping and exploring. So much sun, warmth and no mosquitos! I've totally neglected my garden, and nothing got done, but damn it, we had a summer to remember. Instead of cramming all my photos into one post, I'm going to break it down into short posts for people who are looking to visit some of southern Manitoba's hotspots (and some Northwestern Ontario ones too). First up, the sweet little village at the end of highway 44, on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, Victoria Beach.

Lake Winnipeg is huge, Canada's 6th largest lake in fact. This gives us 'peggers plenty of beach options when the hot weather rolls around. We typically spend our time at Winnipeg Beach or Grand Beach, which are on opposite sides of the lake. The Eastern shore is well known for it's super soft sylica sand. Unfortunately, this beautiful lake, with ocean like horizons, is suffering from a dangerous rise in phosphorus levels, resulting in algae growth. The day we visited was no exception, although levels were safe (always check, you don't want to travel all the way to the beach and be unable to swim). We set up at Arthur Beach, which was clearer that day. Other options are accessible from hwy 44, including sand cliffs which lead down to the water (but are eroding, so be careful). If you bring a bike with you, you might be able to visit all the beaches and pick the best one for the day. If the water is low enough, you might even be able to walk on over on sandbars to Elk Island Provincial Park and spend the day on it's island shore.

The village itself is special in that it is a walking and biking community. There are no motor vehicles allowed past the beach gates, where cottagers keep their cars parked in a lot and use bikes and carts to transfer their supplies. There is no new construction, allowing for a look back at a simpler time in a century old beach town. My favourite building located in the quaint town square is the Moonlight Inn. It's a two story chalet style building that houses a cute restaurant (ice cream counter included). Next door you'll find a funny little arcade in a log building. There is also a popular bakery, general store and tiny library. Near the beach a clubhouse holds functions like teen dances and movie nights. It's really quite adorable, which I guess is why we have quite a few friends who like to rent cottages here for their summer vacations.

Check out this amazing cephalopod fossil we found while walking along a section of rocky shoreline. It was as big as a saucer. We had a fun day at the beach here, despite the smelly algae. Let's be honest, no one likes water pollution and it is a problem in Lake Winnipeg, as is the same case in most of our precious freshwater lakes in North America. Despite this very serious issue, I would still suggest visiting beautiful Victoria Beach to enjoy the views, sweet cottages and village, and to find a spot to enjoy a warm wonderful Manitoba summer.  

Resources:

Victoria Beach Community Website

Swim Guide : A resource and app for beach water quality and conditions.

Lake Winnipeg Foundation : A resource for water conservation in Lake Winnipeg

The following adventure was made possible by Tourism Westman. For more ideas on how to best explore Southwestern Manitoba, visit www.tourismwestman.ca

Imagine road tripping down open highway, through the lush green farmlands of Western Manitoba. The idyllic prairie town of Waldersee appears, consisting simply of a handful of farmhouses, pastures and a cherished country church. A sign directs you to slow and turn down an unassuming gravel road. As you bump along, anticipation builds. First, a farmhouse nestled within an orchard of fruit trees. Then, you immediately hear the current of the Big Grass river which winds it's way peacefully through the property. Before you, two authentic Mongolian yurts sit sweetly juxtaposed with century old farm buildings and the verdant rural beauty of forrest and farmland beyond. There's no doubt, you have arrived at Journey Home Artist Retreat. 

Owners Robert and Sherry await us outside and welcome us warmly. My friend Chandra and I have traveled from Morden and Winnipeg to be here this weekend. Both of us are typically busy women, working and raising families, leaving little time for relaxation and a chance to exercise our creative muscles. Prior to our arrival, we'd been in contact with Sherry who helped us form an itinery for our weekend, including our food likes and dislikes and what we'd like to focus on during our stay. This weekend would be all about creating through carving soapstone, and enjoying early summertime in this beautiful part of Manitoba. Sherry gave us a quick tour of our yurt and the main house, then left us to settle in while she served up herbal tea, delicious homemade fruit crumble and vanilla ice cream. Afterward we retired to our yurt and tucked into cozy beds, quickly lulled to sleep by the sound of the river nearby which babbled and flowed gently through the night.

In the light of the morning I was even more impressed by the intricacy of the painted posts which made up our yurt. There are two yurts at Journey Home. The blue yurt is a cozy hideaway for one or two people. The orange yurt comfortably sleeps 4, with room for a dining table and a dresser to store your necessities. Both yurts have electric heaters to keep them cozy on cool rainy evenings. 

After a delicious breakfast prepared by Sherry ( including french press coffee and a menu of homemade jams!), we joined Robert in the quonset. Some of Roberts beautiful carvings are displayed around the farmhouse, so we knew we were under great tutelage for the day. He began by talking about the soapstones properties, what tools we would be using, and the stages we'd be going through toward a completed sculpture. Robert also focused on helping us to get in a mindset for allowing the stone to dictate what would be carved from it, rather than us going in with set expectations. I found this particularly helpful. His questions about our artistic choices along the way provoked some thoughtful discussion about scratching beneath the surface while creating. The process of carving into the raw soapstone proved to be very cathartic, accompanied by the music of Leonard Cohen in the background. Robert encouraged us to let go of perfection through Cohen's lyric;

" There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."

As the summer rain did it's periodic dance from mist to deluge, we happily worked up an appetite for Sherry's Moroccan carrot soup, fresh bread and cucumber poppyseed salad. Sherry told us about her garden which includes fruit trees, vegetables & herbs which she harvests for fresh meals, preserves and selling at the farmers market. Culinary retreats are her specialty. They include developing a meal plan around a countries traditional fare, harvesting produce from the garden, and learning how to prepare it. You may also choose to visit a nearby family farm to learn about farming practices and to pick up grass fed beef for your dinner. 

Renewed from a wholesome lunch, Chandra and I jumped back into our carving work. Seeing the transformation from raw stone to something that nearly felt alive was so inspiring. The wet sanding stage erased the scratches and gouges left from carving and revealed a smooth, stain surface which brought out unexpected colour in the soapstone. We were surprised to find that although our pieces of stone were cut from the same chunk, they ended up being completely different hues! 

Dinner brought a bounty of homemade sushi with fresh fruit and ice cream for desert. Afterward, Sherry offered to join me for a walk along the country road to visit the local church. New Christ Lutheran church was built in the early 1940's, replacing the original village church which was built before the turn of the century. The beautiful condition of the original stained glass windows, fixtures and warm woodwork show how cherished this church is by the community of Waldersee and it's surrounding areas. It stands as a lovely example of how important community remains to rural Manitobans. Be sure to visit it if you're passing through this summer.

That evening, Robert shared his collection of drums, several which came with interesting stories. After a bit of trepidation and a few warnings of "We're not very good . . . " we got a good drum circle going. I played a bit of guitar while Robert showed up with impressive harmonica skills. After another restful nights sleep, we spent our final morning hours sealing our soapstone sculptures with beeswax and taking one last walk around the property. 

I'll be totally honest, coming into this unique experience at Journey Home Artist Retreat, I had some reservations. I wondered if my friend and I would be comfortable spending a weekend with strangers and how guarded that might make us feel. Come Sunday afternoon, I left with the sense that we had made new friends and learned more about ourselves and each other in the process. What a gift! Robert and Sherry have so much to offer as hosts and teachers. Be sure to visit their website for a full description of their retreats including a variety of creative, culinary and healing / wellness packages. You can even add a bit of extra adventure and take a train ride from Winnipeg's VIA Rails Station, there and back. Whatever you choose, you're sure to love spending a weekend of renewal in beautiful western Manitoba.

Thank you to Western Manitoba Tourism for sponsoring our getaway to Journey Home Artist Retreat, and to Sherry and Robert who made sure our weekend together was wonderfully memorable. We won't soon forget it!

Road trips can be a tease, or a preview, depending on how you look at it. An evening in Fernie, B.C. wasn't nearly enough time to experience this sleepy town at the base of a rocky mountain ski resort. Still, we did our best to do a quick sunset tour with stollen hours thanks to crossed time zones. Here is a look at Fernie, within the Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada. 

The predominant mountains surrounding the verdant valley town of Fernie are Mount Fernie, The Three Sisters (above) and Mount Proctor, among other peaks and ridges. The town centre features many buildings from the turn of the 20th century that have been up kept and are still in use. It's obvious that there is a lot of historical pride in this pretty mountian town. 

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The downtown is laid out to be very walkable, lined with shops, restaurants and pubs. We were surprised of how quiet the town is though. We arrived on a Saturday night around 7 pm, and by 10 pm the streets were empty. It was for the best though, as we had to be up by 5 am to get back on the road on our way to Portland the next day. After dinner we walked the streets and peeked in the closed boutiques before spotting a double rainbow! A good omen.

Eco, adventure tourism is the real reason to spend time here in the Kootenay's. The Fernie Alpine Resort turns Fernie into a ski town when the snow falls, which is likely when we would want to visit again. In the summer the focus is on mountain biking and hiking. The Elk River also runs through the valley, offering a great place for water sports and fishing during the summer. We took a drive to get a better view of the alpine resort and came upon some idylic vistas. Beautiful B.C.!

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Summer is here, already doing it's usual thing of flying by too fast. It's been gorgeously hot and sunny here in Winnipeg, except for the past two rainy days which I took full advantage of by totally refreshing the blog. If you are following Lune Travels through a reader or on your phone, take a minute to check out the desktop site. I'm still cleaning up the archives and refining navigation, but for the most part, I'm feeling good about it. I hope you find visiting our site enjoyable and interesting! You'll notice that after a selection of our five latest posts, I've included links to "MisAdventures". I've always felt like my authors voice comes through the most genuine when writing (ahem ... sarcastically bitching) about the times when things go wrong. What a conundrum, because although it's some of my best writing, I sure don't want to jinx anything. Bad travel stories are only funny and entertaining long after they're over and done! 

Journey Home Artist Retreat

If you follow me on Instagram @luneblog you'll have noticed that our summer travel is off to a good start. In spring I was approached by Western Manitoba Tourism to write about a couple travel destinations in their region. The first assignment was to cover an artist retreat in Waldersee, Manitoba called Journey Home Artist Retreat. My longtime friend Chandra and I spent the weekend carving soapstone, enjoying the lush countryside and eating homemade meals. We slept in an authentic Mongolian yurt and had a totally rejuvenating experience. I came back inspired to write and included a great collection of photos from our weekend to share here and on the WestMan site, which I'll announce as soon as it goes live.

Clear Lake, Manitoba

Our first camping weekend of the year started off with a bang! My second assignment included covering our Canada Day 150 long weekend stay at Clear Lake Manitoba in Riding Mountain National Park. Every time we stay in this vibrant place, we discover something new. We also returned to some old favourites, because I want to make sure if you decide to visit that you're having the best time possible! Although we were busy taking it all in, we also had a whole afternoon to sun and swim off a dock and enjoy the cold clear lake water. I'm looking forward to sharing our experiences and travel tips for this Manitoba vacation hot spot soon, both here and on the Western Manitoba Tourism website.

Grand Beach, Manitoba

Where do you go when you're wishing for a world class sand beach and a watery horizon here in Manitoba? Grand Beach is the answer! I don't think I've been to a beach with softer silica sand, and that includes in Mexico, California, Dominican Republic and Florida. Yep, strange as it is, the sand we have here is soft as flour and extends into the lake for comfortable swimming in warm fresh water. The lake itself is huge and impossible to see across, so you can easily imagine you're oceanside. Waves get large enough for some impressive kite surfing, which we were entertained by during our stay. The weather co-operated big time and it was so hot we pulled out Eggie's custom awning I had made a few years back. I've been thinking about selling Eggie and getting a vintage motorhome in the next few years. I'd like something with full sized bunks that'll suit growing kids, so that's something I have my eye out for. Kind of building a pros and cons list, but for now we're still enjoying our 1976 Manitoba made Boler.

Portland, Oregan 

This one hasn't happened yet! In a few days Todd and I are skipping town to road trip down to Portland, Oregon and the coast including Seaside and Astoria. It'll be the first big trip for just the two of us since . . . well, before we became more than two. I don't think we've been away for more than 3 days as a couple since Luke was born over 11 years ago. The driving is going to be a challenge, but road travel in Canada always takes all day to get from one city to the next anyhow. We're used to that. Google Maps clocks us in at 24 hours of straight driving, which means we'll spend 4 days in transit during our vacation. I have the podcasts loaded and ready to binge on! The kids are staying with grandparents and are excited to visit Lake of the Woods. They'll stay with family for a fun time swimming, boating, fishing and playing in that beautiful part of Ontario. Hopefully it'll be a super fun, exciting adventure for all of us with no misadventures to add to the blog - just fun photos and posts of the best of our vacation. If you have any suggestions for visiting Portland or the coast, please send me an email or message on Instagram. I'd really appreciate it!

So this summer has been shaping up nicely. When we return we'll have my niece visiting for a month or so and have more camping fun planned. There's still a lot to look forward to! Thanks for continuing to read Lune Travels Blog. We appreciate you!

Follow along with @luneblog on Instagram to experience Portland with us!

Museum lovers have major options when visiting NYC, so much that it's truly hard to choose where to spend your time. 

Todd and I had already been to New York's Museum of Natural History years before, but we decided that it was worth revisiting so that the kids could experience it too. If I lived closer, I'd be here at least once a year - it's simply incredible! Here are a few photo highlights from a rainy spring day spent exploring.

We love spending a rainy day exploring museums. These photos were from our visit in the spring of 2015. Exhibits have changed since then, and I see Mummies are now on display! Check out the American Museum of Natural History website for current exhibits. 

Kelowna is quickly becoming a familiar place for our family. That's something I would have never expected years ago. Winnipeg is the kind of city that people stick to like glue. It's a family centric place, so it's not unusual for people to live within a few minutes drive of most of their extended family. When you get used to that closeness, it's a bit of a shock to adapt to long distance relationships. I think we've done pretty well since Todd's brother and his family shipped out to Kelowna, BC. We've been there to visit 4 times between us. It helps that they picked such a beautiful part of Canada to call home.

Last summer during a family visit to Kelowna, we took a picnic lunch up to Knox Mountain Park. With summer coming up, and some fun blogging plans in the works for 2017, I thought I'd brush off the dust with a few scenic photos from that afternoon. Enjoy!

A few years ago if you asked me what I thought about downhill skiing, I would've shook my head and said "Not for me!". So it's not a surprise that when I share my love of the sport with fellow prairie flatlanders, the response is much the same. Luckily, not all of us are scared of flying down hills with boards on our feet because without the encouragement of family and friends willing to try the sport, I wouldn't have been introduced to one of my favourite winter activities. Last month we packed up the hatch with gear and headed out on a 4 hour road trip to Manitoba's answer to the mountains, Asessippi Ski Area and Resort!

Situated within a river valley in Western Manitoba's Asessippi Parkland, this ski resort boasts the highest elevation and longest runs, number of lifts and routes. I wasn't sure what to expect and was very impressed. If you're going to ski in Manitoba, this is definately the place to go. 

Luke and Todd were able to snowboard / ski the whole resort. I stuck to easy and intermediate runs and found them to be very fun, taking long enough to complete to make the ride up the chair lift worth it. There's even a burger shack mid route where you can stop for lunch right on the hill. The variety of runs and amenities at the large village lodge make it easy to spend a weekend at Asessippi without a moment of boredom. 

Eve is learning how to ski, so Todd and I took turns with her on the Bunny Hill. The magic carpet here is looooooong, but very easy to get the hang of. After a couple times Eve was able to get on and off without our help. The very gradual slope offered just enough challenge for beginners without being intimidating, and was long enough to enjoy the ride down. On day two we invested in a handy little device called Edgie Wedgie Ski Clips. That helped her keep that snow plow stance. Actually, we say Pizza for a wedge, and French Fries for parallel skis. There was a lot of yelling "PIZZA! PIZZZZZZAAAAAA !!!" out on the slope that day. She's no quitter, so we hope a few days at Big White during spring break will move her along on her journey to ski. I can't wait until she can ride the chair with me!

Winter is nearly through, and I have to say I didn't feel a hint of the winter blues even once this year! That's pretty incredible since I've always had a little struggle with that. The winters here are so long and cold. I credit a lot of outdoor fun skiing and skating to making winter a season to enjoy and even look forward to! I was 35 before I even tried skiing, so if I can get into it, anyone can! Whatever it is that you choose to do, just get outdoors and find something that makes you feel good, healthy and happy. A bit of a challenge can go a long way in life.

Sidenote : We own some of our gear but rented the rest at Sampsons Sporting Life Winnipeg. Their rental rates are very good, and the gear was current and in great shape. You can also rent right at the resort, but since it was the long weekend, we hoped to skip the rental lines and just get right on the slopes, which worked out perfectly. 

While winter might be winding down in some places, it's just hitting it's stride here in the Canadian Prairies. Winnipeg just recently became an official "World Winter CIty". Yeah, I guess so! Winter is quite beautiful here, and over the years I've noticed an increased effort to celebrate it. I fully support that attitude, which is why this weekend we spent an afternoon at the Winnipeg Art Gallery participating in their Arctic Chill Out family event. The kids made deep tunnels in the snow on the rooftop, visited some husky dogs, ate their fair share of bannock and saw how iglu's are made. Afterward we warmed up by enjoying Our Land : Contemporary Art from the Arctic. Here are a few images from our day.

I'm not a fan of art galleries and kids. It's such a nice idea, and I wish it worked, but for us it's not very fun. Read here about what us at the MOMA in NYC and you'll get my totally honest review. Personally, I really enjoy art galleries though, and this time was no exception. The Thinker is visiting the WAG, a special treat. If you are visiting Winnipeg, make sure you visit the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Here are just a few photos (I don't think they're allowed ... eep!)