We finally made it to Manitoba and had a great experience at the Manitoba Visitor Information Center where we received many good suggestions on what to see and do along with a sizeable package of brochures.

Our first stop was at the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach where we learned about the history of the Mennonites starting with their beginnings in various European countries and their migrations to avoid persecution.

There were two major periods of Mennonite migration to Manitoba, the first in 1874 and the second starting in the 1924. Life wasn’t always easy but they had greater freedoms and rights in Canada.

The heritage village features a number of building including stores, a blacksmith shop, a print shop and the Livery Barn building which now houses a restaurant where one can enjoy pierogi, sausage, borscht, coleslaw and rhubarb cake. Tasty!

A special exhibition consisting of posters telling the stories of families who left their home countries to start new lives in Canada was put on by graphic arts and photography students at a local high school under the guidance of their teacher. It told stories of some of the original Mennonite immigrants as well as stories of more recent arrivals from countries such as the Philippines. Touching stories and very worthwhile seeing and reading.

It was now time to find a place to stay for the night. The tourist information agent had suggested a provincial campground in St. Malo which turned out to be a hidden gem. The Manitoba provincial campgrounds are much cheaper than the Ontario ones – $19.50 for an electric site vs $44 for a non-electric in Ontario. The St. Malo surrounds a reservoir and has swimming and boating possibilities. Great beaches and lots of sites available. In the evening the Canada Geese had swimming lessons.

The early evening light at the beach was stunning as was the ice cream from the nearby stand. I think we might be the only vehicle with Ontario plates.