Photo essay of a Manitoba summer tradition: going to the lake
Going to the lake is a Manitoba summer tradition. After surviving a long, cold, Canadian prairie winter, Manitobans are eager to take advantage of the many lakes and waterways in the province. Some head to their own cottages. Others rent time at a cottage. Sites accommodating tents, camper trailers, or RVs can be booked at provincial campgrounds. Many provincial parks have seasonal campgrounds, where you can lease a spot for the summer if your name happens to be one of the lucky ones selected in the campground draw. And there are privately owned parks where you can lease a seasonal spot for your trailer.
Setting up
Main beach at Falcon Lake in the Whiteshell
Time to play
Or go hiking
Or rest at the campsite
Towels and life jackets drying on the deck
Fishing from the dock or by boat
Need to clean/gut the fish we’ve caught
If you’re lucky, you will see deer
If you’re lucky you won’t see a bear. Garbage is caged up to minimize that possibility.
Wild raspberries will be ready in a week or so
Why does food taste so much better at the lake?
Campfire
Roasting marshmallows
Added some colour crystals to this fire
Open spots at Falcon Lake waiting for campers
Sunset over Clear Lake
Sunset over Bird River
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37 Comments
Jo at ZigaZag blog
August 11, 2014 at 12:01 amOh it looks absolutely idyllic Donna! So much to do, and what a fabulous setting just to relax in. My favourite lake is in North West Australia, Lake Argyle which is actually as big as an inland sea (they say).
Donna Janke
August 11, 2014 at 12:45 amThe only place in Australia I’ve been to so far is Sydney, but would like the opportunity to see more of it. Falcon Lake is a pretty good size, but I don’t know the dimensions. There are two very large lakes in Manitoba that I think would qualify as inland seas – Lake Manitoba with an area of over 4600 kilometres and Lake Winnipeg with an area of over 24000 kilometres. There are some great beaches along Lake Winnipeg, but I didn’t have photos to include in this post.
HikeBikeTravel
August 11, 2014 at 12:19 amI have cross country skiied in Whiteshell and am actually heading back there in about 10 days time for some canoeing, It looks very peaceful
Donna Janke
August 11, 2014 at 12:49 amI don’t canoe but I know canoeing is very popular in the Whiteshell. Waterways connect one lake to the next. The Whiteshell web site has an account of one family’s seven day canoeing experience. http://www.whiteshell.mb.ca/paddlewhiteshell/index.html
Rajesh
August 11, 2014 at 6:16 amWow! this is impressive. Real fun time together.
Donna Janke
August 11, 2014 at 8:35 amThanks Rajesh
Marilyn Jones
August 11, 2014 at 6:31 amI can certainly understand why so many people enjoy this kind of vacation; so many family and friend memories! Your photos paint such a peaceful and friendly scene!!
Donna Janke
August 11, 2014 at 8:36 amThanks Marilyn. Time at the lake does create great family and friend memories.
The GypsyNesters
August 11, 2014 at 8:17 amLooks like heaven to us!
Donna Janke
August 11, 2014 at 8:36 amSometimes the best places we can travel to are close to home.
wanda ariano
August 11, 2014 at 8:26 amThank you Donna for this post. It brings back wonderful memories. I love the area around Lake Winnipeg. Your beautiful photos illustrate the post so very well. Bravo!
Donna Janke
August 11, 2014 at 8:37 amLake memories are special, aren’t they?
Anita Oliver
August 11, 2014 at 9:14 amWe lived in Montana for many years and I can definitely relate to the Manitoban desire to enjoy the warmer seasons and spend as much time as possible outside. The water looks inviting but I’ll bet it can be bone-chilling at the beginning of summer!
Donna Janke
August 11, 2014 at 4:37 pmThe water can be bone-chilling at the beginning of summer. Sometimes it is still bone-chilling mid-summer on deeper lakes. But it can be nice and refreshing after a spell of hot days.
Jackie and Joel Smith
August 11, 2014 at 9:47 amJust tried to leave a comment and half way through it might have posted. . .or disappeared. What I was going to say was how universal camping is: the scenes you showed could have been Washington State or British Columbia. We just were in Greece and I was amazed at the number of campers (rented or owned) we passed on the roadways in the Peloponnese. Nice post, Donna!
Donna Janke
August 11, 2014 at 4:40 pmCamping does appear to be universal. We had an interesting trip years ago with a motorhome through south-western England. The campgrounds were different than the ones back in Canada, but the spirit was similar.
Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru
August 11, 2014 at 1:05 pmAloha Donna – This reminds me so much of life at my husband’s family cabin in Northern Minnesota. They’ve been summering there for years. Gotta love that walleye fishing! Nothing like going “up to the lake.”
Donna Janke
August 11, 2014 at 4:41 pmThe landscape is very similar to Minnesota. In Manitoba, we call walleye “pickerel”.
The Restless Voyager
August 11, 2014 at 1:21 pmWonderful photos. Such sweet memories! I’m jealous!
Donna Janke
August 11, 2014 at 4:41 pmThank you.
Patti
August 11, 2014 at 5:46 pmWhy does food taste so much better lakeside?! And toasted marshmallows over an open campfire?! Delightful.
Donna Janke
August 12, 2014 at 7:44 amDon’t know why the food tastes so good lakeside, but know it does.
JeriWB
August 11, 2014 at 11:51 pmI’m not sure my last comment went through, so this is just me again saying that looks like a perfect weekend!
Donna Janke
August 12, 2014 at 7:44 amThanks Jeri
Muza-chan
August 12, 2014 at 12:14 amBeautiful place…
Donna Janke
August 12, 2014 at 7:46 amThanks.
Neva Fels
August 12, 2014 at 12:17 amWe went camping almost every weekend when we had small children. Waterskiing and fishing were the highlights of the day. I would love to try camping in Canada and your photos have me yearning big time.
Donna Janke
August 12, 2014 at 7:48 amI’m sure you’d enjoy camping in Canada.
Doreen Pendgracs
August 12, 2014 at 8:05 pmYou’ve highlighted some wonderful Manitoba favourites, Donna. We used to have a family cottage at Star Lake, so I know West Hawk and Falcon well. It’s now great living at the lake in the Interlake. Lots of terrific beaches here, too. Come visit some time!
Donna Janke
August 13, 2014 at 7:54 amAnd there is still so much of Manitoba favourites I didn’t cover! Love to visit sometime.
Michelle
August 12, 2014 at 11:30 pmI’m so glad I read this post as I’m debating a trip to this area in the winter. It looks a little similar to Vermont and I miss the seasons living in Florida. I do remember savoring the summers while in Vermont!
Donna Janke
August 13, 2014 at 7:58 amManitoba definitely has seasons. Winter in Manitoba is quite different than the summertime lake experience. It can be pretty. And there are outdoor activities – skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling,and ice fishing for example, providing it is not too cold. Visiting during the time of Festival du Voyageur in February could be fun. http://festivalvoyageur.mb.ca/en/
Catarina
August 13, 2014 at 10:52 amWonderful pictures that remind me of when I was a girl scout, Donna. Am sure you enjoyed it.
Donna Janke
August 13, 2014 at 1:09 pmThanks Catarina
Irene S. Levine
August 14, 2014 at 6:47 pmLooks like a great way to wrap up the summer and all its sweet memories!
Donna Janke
August 14, 2014 at 7:03 pmThanks Irene.
Cathy Sweeney
August 16, 2014 at 10:51 pmTent, RV or cottage — I’m ready. It all looks so idyllic in your pics. I haven’t been camping in ages, but always loved it. We talk about it every once in a while, but other plans get in the way. Camping in the fall would be nice…..