ciao! travel
WHAT TO DO
Adrenaline Fix
Hy-Wire Zipline Adventures, tucked in the rolling hills Southwest of Morden, prove the prairies can deliver on high flying thrills. Adrenaline junkies choose between 5 or 8 line trails mapped through rugged terrain. Zipliners hike between runs, which take 1-2 hours to complete.
Prairie History 101
The 16 buildings that comprise the Pembina Thresherman’ s Museum celebrates prairie life in the olden days. Turn of the century schools and churches give youngsters a chance to look back to pioneer life. Family Days offer historical reenactments, some delicious: sample cast-iron made waffles and bread loaves baked in traditional stone ovens.
Prehistoric Findings
Make an unexpected discovery at the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden. Two of the largest marine reptile fossils in the world( charmingly named Bruce and Suzy) are on display, the 43 ft Mosasaur skeletons dating back 136 million years. Paleontology enthusiasts can try their hand at excavation during summer months on the museum’ s Fossil Dig Adventure Tours.
Field To Home
Follow food from farm to plate at the Bruce D. Campbell Farm & Food Discovery Centre. From a virtual ultrasound where visitors can look for baby pigs inside a pregnant sow to a hog barn housing hundreds of pigs and piglets, the interactive exhibits are hands-on conversation starters. Bring the little ones along to learn about food sustainability, pollution, conservation and climate change.
Farm Fun
Pull a beet from the Earth or pet an alpaca at Aurora Farm, Southwest of Winnipeg. Those less inclined to get hands dirty can browse the gift shop full of eco-friendly products and take home handmade goats milk soap, toothpaste or bug spray. On a hot summer day cool down with a scoop of gelati( Nucci’ s finest).
Northern Nooks
WHERE TO EAT
Cuppa Tea
Famed for their beloved Icelandic vínarterta— a layered prune torte hinting of cardamom— Amma’ s Tearoom and Gift Shop in Gimli is high tea time without the pomp and circumstance. Quiz your date with Trivial Pursuit or pluck a party hat from the wall. Amma’ s Blend, loose leaf orange pekoe with notes of berries, is the perfect steeped treat.
Baits n’ Bites
Kris’ Fish & Chips in Gimli is locally revered for fresh caught pickerel fried in a light golden batter. Nautical knick knacks like ship wheels and sailor’ s rope adorn the walls for some cozy lake kitsch, but picnic tables near the water are the perfect spot to perch on a warm summer’ s day.
12 ciao! / june / july / two thousand fifteen