We arrive in Kenora and head for the Anicinabe (I know, they spell it wrong) Campground where we stayed on the way east and hunker down for the night. We rise to a beautiful, sunny morning; the sun glinting off the lake. I enjoy me tea in a sunbeam watching the boats return from the early morning fishing. We pack up and head out. Today’s destination, Victoria Beach, Manitoba to visit long time friends from Calgary who have been inviting us to their lake home for years. A great opportunity is at hand.

As we cross the Ontario/Manitoba border I get a feeling that I am nearing home, back on the prairies even though the landscape is pretty much the same as the last two days: lakes, rocks and trees. I sense that we are on the cusp of a new land and we are at the gateway to this land. I have been watching the mileage posts as we travel westward, the numbers on the signs going steadily down as we near the border. We have traveled 2,105 kilometers since Kingston with about another 2527 kms to go. We are about halfway home.

As we cross the border we leave Highway 1 and head up Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 44. As we motor along I notice a sign that says “Historic Highway 1” Intrigued I ask Vicki to look it up. This was part of the original alignment of the Trans-Canada Highway that went northeast rather that southeast of Winnipeg and joined up with a Depression Era highway that went to Kenora. The modern alignment came about as a result of the Trans-Canada Highway Act of 1950 and was fully completed in 1962.

We continue to up through Beausejour and then northward to Victoria Beach, passing signs that said, “Island Beach”, “Whitesand Estates”, “Grand Beach” and finally “Victoria Beach”. We have heard of this magical place for many years from Calgarians and Manitobans. Everyone we know or knew from here could tell you stories of Victoria Beach. Inhabited for millennia by indigenous people, it was Winnipeg entrepreneurs who saw the potential as an exclusive summer retreat for wealthy Winnipeggers and laid out plans for a summer village  in 1910. In 1916 the railway arrived and Victoria Beach developed into a traditional middle-to-upper class Anglo retreat.

ENTRY TO THE VILLAGE OF VICTORIA BEACH

By 1962 a roadway from Winnipeg was completed and the automobile completely took over from the train which ceased to run shortly after. Today, the residential area of the village is a “restricted area” which bans private cars. To get to and from your car (which remains in the large parking lot) you either walk, ride a bike or take a “taxi”, a service run by the same group that run the parking lot. It is very quiet, the stillness punctuated by the occasional “ding, ding “of a bicycle bell signalling a desire to pass.

ESSENTIAL MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

THE BEACH AT ALEXANDRA STAIRS

We have enjoyed a spectacular weekend with our friends. “August Long “is a very busy time at “The Beach”. Saturday morning market, a jewelry show and sale, big tennis tournament. Lots of activities to keep one occupied. We went for a pontoon boat ride with some new friends, had a swim in a quiet bay with a lovely sandy beach, and visited Einfield’s bakery for some delicious cinnamon bread. It is great toasted with homemade saskatoon berry jam. Down to the beach after supper for a beautiful sunset then rinse and repeat the next day.

PONTOON BOAT EXCURSION

SUNSET AT “THE BEACH”

Alas all good things come to an end, and it is time to move along. Thank you, dear reader, for joining us on this journey. We really feel that we are in the home stretch. I booked our ferry trip to the Island tonight. That means our trip is really coming to an end. Another week and we will call the journey over. Take care and sleep well.