Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Beechmont B&B, on Armstrong Point, in Winnipeg. This is where we stayed during our Manitoba trip. See www.beechmount.ca for a their website. It's location is in a wonderful old neighbourhood a short distance from the Forks and downtown Winnipeg.

The "executive suite" bedroom at our B&B, which featured a jacuzzi tub and private balcony.

The Manitoba Legislative Building was completed in 1920. Its Beaux-Arts Classical architecture features bison statuary and carvings. The building itself is made out of Manitoba tyndall limestone - including fossils.

One of the bison statues flanking the grand staircase inside the legislative building. These statues aren't nailed down because they are massively heavy, despite being hollow.

An example of the whimsical carvings. This bison skull overlooks the grand staircase.

The Manitoba crest: notice the beaver and the bison.

The four muses hold up the ceiling and bring luck to the building.

Painted bears - part of the sculpture park surrounding the Legislative building.

Once labelled a traitor, Louis Riel is now revered for having founded the province of Manitoba. His statue overlooks the Assiniboine River.

The Forks is the joining of the Red River and Assiniboine River. This confluence was a major highway for the fur trade. Now, it hosts the Forks Market and riverboat tours.

The Riel walking bridge, as seen from the Forks. This bridge links the Forks with St. Boniface, the French quarter.

A closer look at the interesting bridge design.

Looking over the Red River to St. Boniface Cathedral.

Portage and Main - the coldest intersection on earth.

The Manitoba Museum (or the Museum of Man.) is definitely worth a visit. Plan to spend three hours and to catch a show at the planetarium.

The Riel bridge, looking towards the Forks, at sunset.

The baseball team's logo: a fighting fish. The Goldeye is considered a delicacy, particularly when smoked in the Icelandic tradition.

The ballpark is located just north of the Forks. Today the Winnipeg Goldeyes played the Calgary Vipers.

We wound up sitting on the "grassy berm" for $4/person. The gently sloping grass hill provided seating right down the first-base line. We had fun eating popcorn and drinking hand-squeezed lemonade.

At intermission, the rakers ran around cleaning up the infield.

"Goldie", Winnipeg's baseball mascot.

During the course of the game, several trains rattled by the stadium, right next to the 3rd-base line seating.

The grizzly bear taking a shower.

Look at those claws!

A pair of black bears. The white one is an albino.

This monkey is just hanging around!

The gibbons put on a show.

This prairie dog is having a good look around his town.

Squeek! On the alert!

Lots of prairie dogs. Although they are considered a pest by farmers, the prairie dog exhibit was by far our favourite.

Dromedary camels.

Swim, reindeer, swim.

The rest of the reindeer herd was playing follow the leader.

There were lots of babies to see at the zoo, including this fawn.

The Manitoba bison - this time the real thing.

The Assiniboine Park miniature steam train. This train was built for the CNR in 1929 and they used it for their mountain runs until 1960. Now it chugs along in Assiniboine Park. Talk about built to last!

The Leo Mol water garden is home to statuary and many lovely water lilies.

Waterlily.

Water lilies.

Another water lily. Aren't they gorgeous?

One of the many sculptures that line the English garden hedge.

The center of the English garden.

The garden borders. All are colour co-ordinated.