Lockport, Manitoba
Summer in Manitoba is in full swing. With the intense heat and dryness this year, plus learning to live with Covid, this is the perfect time to explore the world safely, whenever we can. And when I say the world, we start locally in Manitoba, our province, our place.
The good news though is our family now is fully vaxxed except my 10 year old kiddo that's why we also take the necessary precautions when traveling to make sure he is safe. We're learning now that we can't escape Covid and hard it may be, it will probably be here to stay for quite a while. Herd immunity would be a welcome relief but still not the solution we aim for.
But anyway, making the most out of this unprecedented time and learning more about our new home and the people who built it are our goals this year and probably the next years to come. Taking it one day at a time and making sure we are enjoying every moment of it.
July 17, our destination is Lockport, Manitoba. Around 30-45 minutes away from the city of Winnipeg (give or take), it's a community split within the municipalities of St. Andrews and St. Clements with a fur past as it has been a fur trade site in the old days. Descendants and retirees of the famous Hudson's Bay Company has settled here and established this peaceful community.
Rustic but charming, modern but teeming with history, it was the perfect weekend trip for anyone who is looking for adventure, history, fun and don't forget, food!
We visited Lower Fort Garry, a National Historic Site of Canada built by the Hudson's Bay Company. The first treaty (Treaty 1) in Western Canada was signed here. In later years, the fort has been a penitentiary, a mental hospital, an HBC residence, and a golf and motor country club. It was so much fun visiting the place as costumed interpreters recreate the life at Lower Fort Garry in the early 1850s. The staff are friendly and all are in character. There is the blacksmith, the workers, the traders and bakers in full costume. Park fees apply here, but kids 17 below are free of charge. Bring water, or snacks for kids (they have gazebo or picnic table), wear sunscreen as it gets warm, well hot, and wear an inquisitive hat as you unravel the history of the fort and its people.
We also went to the St. Andrews Lock and Dam, a designated National Historic Site and is one of 2 of its type in the world and took 10 years to build. Built in 1910 , this is a movable dam, with floodgates and moveable curtains to flood out the St. Andrews Rapids and make the Red River navigable. It is also a very popular destination for families and for fisherfolks as you can fish here. Just make sure you have your license permit.
We also visited St. Andrews Church, the oldest stone chuch in Western Canada established in 1828, that is still in active use. Interesting information is that the elite of the fur trade era rest in St. Andrews Churchyard. It was close when we went there so we didn't have a chance to go inside the church.
Across the church is the St. Andrews Rectory, this residence was hand-built by the rector and his neighbours and the design was reminiscent of Red River architecture. The heritage grounds have gardens, agricultural artifacts, rotating and solar system display and parks canada monuments. They also have a gift shoo, fire pits, picnic tables, and yard games. Too bad we weren't able to enter the rectory as we haven't been able to request our Covid vaccination details.
And of course, this trip wouldn't be complete without eating at the World Famous Hot Dog and the oldest hotdog venue in Canada, Skinners and one of Manitoba's famous eating destination, Half Moon Drive Inn.
We had hot dogs and poutine at Skinners. Outdoor dining is the only one open for the time being. At Half Moon, we had their Banana Split and Chocolate Hot Fudge Sundae. There are table and gazebo at the back overlooking the bridge and the dam. It was the perfect spot.
All in a day trip.
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