Winnipeg, MB: The Forks I (7/30/2023)

Sunday, July 30, 2023 (continued)

We drove from the Winnipeg Art Gallery to The Forks, an abandoned railyard transformed into a "destination" in Winnipeg, primarily as a meeting place as it has been for over 6,000 years. Indigenous peoples traded at The Forks, followed by European fur traders, Scottish settlers, railway pioneers, and tens of thousands of immigrants. Now through a mixed-use approach it provides recreational, historical and cultural, gastronomic and retail experiences.

Our rental car, a 2023 Toyota RAV4

Due to the flight and rental car delays, we missed
visiting the Canadian Museum of Human Rights

Dylan, Mahatma Gandhi (2004, by
Ram Vanji Sutara, a gift from the
government of India), and Pete (KSS)

Although Mahatma Gandhi was known for preaching tolerance, truthfulness and non-violence, his stand on human rights has been questioned. As a young man he had racist beliefs that changed over time, and later in life he tested his own celibacy by sleeping with young girls.

Canadian Museum of Human Rights (2009-2014, by
Antoine Predock) is said to be rooted to Mother Earth,
and embodies the Canadian landscape as a mountain
surrounded by a cloud, topped by an icy peak;
but wait! - the cloud becomes wings of a dove
under a beacon of hope

A Memorial Honouring the Survivors of
Indian Residential Schools

Esplanade Riel pedestrial bridge (2003-2004,
by Guy Préfontaine and Étienne Gaboury)
is a side-spar cable-stayed bridge (KSS)

Urocitellus richardsonii/Richardson's Ground Squirrel

These little critters were burrowed everywhere in The Forks that was not paved!

Urocitellus richardsonii/Richardson's Ground Squirrel (KSS)

Here's a better photo, thanks to Maggie!

We had dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory at The Forks.

When we arrived at our hotel for the night, a group of gentlemen tried to discourage us from staying, since their vehicle was vandalized, and luggage and fishing gear were stolen, just in the time it took to take one load of luggage to their rooms. What to do?! We decided not to leave our car in the side parking lot, and to park with many other cars in the lighted rear parking area. We would not be leaving anything in the car.

It was at this hotel that the fire alarm went off at 23:30. The noise was deafening and went on for 15 minutes. We checked the hallway, and saw no evidence of fire, so stayed in the room. After fire trucks arrived, the fire alarm stopped.

Next: FortWhyte Alive!