Images of the trail ...

Some of the critters I met along the way ...

(and it was close enough that I didn't need to use the zoom !!)

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(these two used a very slight zoom)

One of My Favourite Spots on the Planet ...

The site of the Prisoner of War camp at Whitewater Lake within Riding Mountain National Park is one of my favourite spots to pedal to when I'm out and about in the park ...

I don't know much about it, other than it was there, and there are few foundations and footings still visible even after 60 years:


A highlight is to tromp through the brush towards the river that flows out of Whitewater and find nestled beneath a grove of spruce trees the dug-out canoe where it was left over 60 years ago by its creator when he was sent home at the end of the war:

The 10 kms bike ride in is beautiful ... the setting is gorgeous ... but with each step over the site, I feel the richness of history ... and if I sit and listen I can hear the whispered echoes of the men who called this place "home" far from the battles that brought them here, and far from their families who missed them ... It's a powerful place with an interesting history ... one I want to learn more about ...

For now, I'm happy to pedal in once in awhile for a visit ... and to walk through the grass meadows that once housed strangers in a strange land, waiting for the end of a horrific war ... in this time of peace, Whitewater reminds us of the power of new beginnings and fresh starts ...

Today's Trek:

Today, just after lunch I loaded my bike into the back of the car, and headed up to Riding Mountain National Park ... 2 hours - 30 kms - 3 litres of water - 2 apples - three granola bars - two chunks of cheese and one chocolate bar later ... I arrived back where I started, having mud bogged through the first third of the Grasshopper Valley Trail:




Then I thumped my way along a very rough and tumble trail that would have shaken my fillings loose if I had any ... thank GOD for the shock absorbers on the front of my bike!!!!

I stopped for a drink of water and the first of my snacks after about 35 minutes before continuing on to the Central Trail Junction:

Half an Hour later, I stopped again to drink more water, dig some mud out of my gears, and rest a bit before continuing on to the Central Trail:

After the mud and the boggy bits and the uneven surface of the Grasshopper Valley Trail, the flat gravelled surface of the Central Trail was a dream ... I practically FLEW along the trail back to the car:

Can you see why I LOVE biking into the heart of Riding Mountain National Park??

My tired, muddy legs after approximately 22 kilometres of very intense wilderness biking:
I think I'll go back tomorrow !!!

Why Canada is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet ...

A 50 minutes bike ride from ANY road,

scenes like this remind us of why

The Group of Seven,

Grey Owl,

and countless others

were inexoribly and irresistably drawn

into the vast wilderness regions of this nation.

The sounds of frogs croaking, and a loon calling

simply add to the beauty of the vista,

and remind us of how beautiful our country really is.

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Yesterday's Hike ...

The kids decided to take M for a hike in Riding Mountain National Park - it was a beautiful day for it ...

Along the way we had a "visit" with a Mom and her three children, err - cubs:

Sorry the quality is what it is - but a mama bear and three cubs deserves to be observed from afar - in this case, from across a lake ... she took them down for a drink and a splash, before slowly meandering her way back into the brush ...

and some flowers for the day !!!!

More pictures from yesterday's jaunt ...

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Pictures from Riding Mountain National Park,

and the drive home ...

Play time on the marge of Lake Audy ...

Rush Hour in Riding Mountain ...

When the road is blocked by a herd of animals

that are ALMOST as big as the vehicle you're in,

you wait until THEY get off the road before proceeding:

These images are what greeted Noahkila and I

as we drove through the Bison Compound at

Riding Mountain National Park,

on our way to the Trailhead for the Strathclair Trail.

Good Day to be Outside ...

The sun was shining, and even though the air temp was hovering around 7C, it was a fine day to be out and about ... Taking the two dogs, a family excursion to Riding Mountain National Park was embarked upon ...

I took my bike in the van and pedalled on the trail ahead of everyone else ... they walked and whined ...

We met up two and a half hours later for lunch ...

Though there were Whiskey Jacks (or Grey Jays)

in abundance, only this lively fellow alighted on a branch

long enough to be photographed ... his kin folks were less amenable.

One last glance before I biked off into the distance ...

My Bike Grind of the day ... (Part 1)

The Sun was shining,

the temperature was a balmy 7C (42F),

and the wind was blowing gustily out of the west ...

... so, throwing on my longjohns, my sweatshirt,

and my full fingered biking gloves,

I hopped on my bike and started heading NORTH

on the Strathclair Trail ...

The Strathclair Trail descends from

about 590 m (1925 ft) above sea level

to 440m (1460 ft)

over the 23 km (14 miles) length.

It's not a bad ride ... but it IS a GRUNT!!!

My Bike Grind of the Day ... (Part 2)

It's NOT easy to take a picture, and ride a wilderness trail at the same time!!

BUT, I DID IT !!!

ME, panting after a 21 km (13 miles) bike ride!!!

NOW, I have to turn around and go BACK!!!

The Road NOT taken ...

My Bike Grind of the day ... (Part 3)

Heading back - tackling the 20+ km return trip ...

Out here, the traffic you may encounter is

NOT

vehicular but animal.

The marks of moose, elk, wolf, coyote, and deer

was evident AND abundant on the trail.

NO sightings beyond birds though.

Still smiling after over 40 kms (25miles)!!!