To the heart of the continent

Not much to report today. I drove from Regina to Winnipeg. I swear Manitoba (or at least the area around Winnipeg) is flatter than Saskatchewan. I realized that the audiobook series I’m listening to keep sane while driving is not a complete trilogy yet and was briefly cursing the name of the person who recommended it to me. It’s so good! I don’t want to be waiting for a final book!

First world problems, I know. This morning I drove a German woman who was staying in the same room as I was in Regina to the side of the highway so she could hitchhike to Calgary. I hope she made it! It’s amazing to me that both she and a Chinese visitor who was also in the same room are both travelling across the whole of Canada (one hitchhiking, the other is taking the bus) and I have as of yet run into no other Canadians travelling the whole country this summer. I’m hoping it’s because it’s early days yet.

I did stop at a lovely lake to eat my sandwich, read for awhile, and listen to the waves and wind. Lovely. I also stopped in a peaceful bit of spruce woods for a bit as well, trying to take photos of unco-operative birds.

My arrival in Winnipeg, which bills itself as the heart of the continent, means I’m coming close to the longitudinal centre of Canada. I’ll hit it on Saturday as I head towards Ontario. It’s far from even the middle of my trip, however. More than six weeks to go still, if I stick to my tentative itinerary.

I am in another historic house turned hostel tonight, in a charming area of Winnipeg that is chock full of other historic houses. I snagged a late dinner with another hostel guest at an absolutely charming bakery and cafe on their outdoor patio.

So far everyone has told me The Forks is the place to go if I only have one day, so I guess that’s where I’m going tomorrow.