Day 6 and 7, 496 miles

Neepawas MB was next on my list, I have family ties to the area. Driving across the prairie is so lovely and open, the sky is huge, trains, the roads and small towns laid out in a perfect grid. The vast fields are dotted with small towns that seem to appear out of nowhere like an oasis in a desert, they’re heavily treed and provide all the necessities for living. Each town seemed to have a main road with a post office, grocery store, pharmacy, church, post office, hardware store, gas station, a curling club, often they had a bowling alley and movie theatre too and a few restaurants. They’re cute as all heck.

Trains run right along the side of the road.

Neepawa was one of the larger towns at nearly 6,000. Before colonists, the lands were used primarily by the Cree and Assiniboine, who followed the migration patterns of the Plains Bison. Prior to settlement, the only Europeans in the area were fur traders. The first settlers put down roots around 1880 and soon the rail was the laid (1882), paving the way for incorporation in 1883. In 1904 the first hospital was built with a capacity for 20 patients. 4 years later, my grandmother Alma was born. Eventually her family moved to BC, where that side of the family now resides. As far as modern day commerce in Neepawa, there was a salt mine from 1932-1970. The population grew by 27% from 2011-2016 when a local pork processing plant was established, Neepawa now has a large Filipino population, comprising about half of its residents. When I was cruising through the aisles of local store, the store owner passed me a few times and then finally said “You’re so TALL!”. Haha, I’ve gotten that a lot, we both laughed, I told him to let me know if he needs me to reach anything for him. lol. At the grocery store before heading in I was catching up wit some things on my phone when I woman tapped on my window (she saw my license plate), to say that she hoped I was enjoy Canada despite this crazy wind! It’s so refreshing to be around people who are just generally open and kind, I feel like it will take some time to let go of my American guardedness.

Neepawa is also the home of the Margaret Laurence national historic site, a renowned author who who penned booked in the 60’s and 70’s featuring a town called ‘Manawaka’. I started listening to one on Audible.

All the roads in Neepawa are lined with trees offering wind protection and sun protection. The neighborhoods are super cute.

My great great grandfather built this building in Neepawa, it used to be a hotel. (I must confirm this story with mum)

Before leaving the area I cruised over to neighboring Arden, MB. A town where two of my grandmothers sisters lived, getting info from my mum and cousin Jane, I think the house below is where they lived? Arden has a crocus festival each year at the first sign of spring as its welcome sign advertises. The train runs straight through Arden, with houses on both sides of the tracks.

A house that Violet and Grace lived in? (I need to verify this when I get to my mum’s) Arden, MB

A note about the weather while I was here, it was WILD. 70kph winds all day and night, it was really cold with a wind chill of 25ºF. Needless to say, my sleep in the Bronco was less than ideal, the wind was rocking my vehicle all night. Luckily, the wind and cold started to each about 3 hours outside of Neepawa.

The sun was most welcome as i approached Saskatoon. The fields started to have a little counter too, more little lakes interspersed the land. Geese, ducks, red wing black birds and bald eagles cruised the area, the largest crane I’ve ever seen cruised overhead as well.

Here’s a few scenes that caught my eye….