No matter where our family headed over the years on day trips into this beautiful natural park of boreal forest and ancient granite, we always stopped by the Whiteshell Natural History Museum, on the bank of Picket Creek in Seven Sisters District.
Here we would stretch our legs or pick up park information. This spot offers a clear view across Hwy. 307 to a store and a row of quaint looking cottages, so when my mother and I sought to escape the city for a summer weekend get-away, the decision to stay at Nutimik Lodge in one of their summer cottages was an easy one.
Rainbow Falls in Whiteshell Provincial Park — a great place to cool off. It’s popular with fishers as well.
We could have opted for modern luxury accommodation with Jacuzzi and steam shower for two with a screened in porch and fireplace, but our freshly painted, rustic cabin provided everything we needed to make our stay comfortable and relaxing. Note: Judy Parnell, co-owner of the lodge, inspects each cabin in detail before handing the key over to the guest.
Mornings we spent on the cabin's front deck, enjoying a cup of coffee while the sun rose behind the conifers with their pine scent on a soft breeze. We watched Sam, the neighbourhood fox, come by on his morning rounds and like clockwork, minutes before Nutimik Lodge store opened, delivery personnel brought the Winnipeg Free Press followed by baskets of Stephanie's delicious home-made-and-still-warm cinnamon buns, awaiting the regular customers to pick them up.
In their fourth year as owners, Bob and Judy Parnell seem well integrated in the park's network and aware of Nutimik Lake's unique attractions. The lake offers anglers splendid, plentiful sturgeon (catch and release fishing) and attracts Play Boating (short Kayaks) enthusiasts, who come from as far as Quebec to "Play in the Falls" at Sturgeon Falls or "River Surf" the wave of the Winnipeg River. For a complete wilderness experience however, the lodge owns permits to fly-in fishing destinations at Echo Lake and Saddle Lake via Lac Du Bonnet.
The lodge owns six motorized boats that are especially popular with first generation immigrants like me, who bring their friends or family to fish. If you require expert advice on boating and navigating the historic Winnipeg River System and lakes safely, ask Bob and his right hand man, John Cramer.
The balancing act between maintaining bio-diversity, culture, heritage, recreation and commercial resource use offers many challenges in sustaining this mini-world of Whiteshell Provincial Park, especially when Mother Nature throws in natural disturbances like the windstorm of 2007.
Nutimik Lodge owners Bob and Judy Parnell know all about Nutimik Lake’s many attractions.
As you make way through the park, you'll notice devastation the storm left behind as well as the amazing progress made by conservationists and workers in the salvage/hazard reduction program.
Beside taking time to get a glimpse of pristine forest and habitat of birds and animals on self-guiding trails with magnificent views, we highly recommend a visit to the Bannock Point Petroforms, situated on ancient Canadian Shield near Nutimik Lake. In preparation, bring drinking water a hat and insect repellent. To the Anishinabe (original people) this area is a sacred site similar to the Christian Garden of Eden. Here, they gather from all over the world to offer prayer, engage in healing and teaching ceremonies and leave personal prayer ties with plant and tree medicines, as well as offerings of all kinds. Please respect these offerings as well as the Petroforms as they are loose rock formations shaped to serve as teachings from the Creator (Manitou).
Ron Bell, our guide, is keeper of the site and calls himself a helper within the structure of the Grand Medicine Society. One of his given names is Standing Buffalo Man. He has a natural talent for teaching and interacting with the public, especially teenagers. Parents; ask him about "Teenager Medicine" (seriously), as well as his personal vision quest led by a 116-year-old elder. For a guided tour call the Whiteshell Museum at (204) 348-2346. Also, find out day and evening Summer Programs. The sessions are free. Inquire to enroll your child as a junior naturalist. You'll be glad you did.
Referring back to the hiking trails, we did venture out to the Big Whiteshell Hiking Trail. This trail off Hwy. 309, 1.6km up South Shore Road, was a tough climb for some, over steep boulders, tree trunks and protruding tree roots, but worth the view of lake and forest.
Congratulations mom, you did it! To celebrate the accomplishment we treated ourselves to refreshments at the White Lake Resort Restaurant, near Rainbow Falls. Speaking of sustenance, if you do not catch any fish or don't feel like cooking, drive to Otter Falls Restaurant, their pickerel fillets are so fresh their melt-in-your-mouth qualtiy will keep you coming back.
Fall is a peaceful as well as romantic time in the park. For those with lots of energy, autumn is ideal for mountain biking and hiking those challenging trails. In the winter, the park provides miles of groomed cross-country skiing as well as snowmobile trail with warm-up shacks and ice fishing facilities.
The September long weekend marks the end of the summer season at Whiteshell Provincial Park when the entrance fee is complimentary. This is a perfect time to check out the plethora of campgrounds and resort facilities in each bay. Each has its own personality and specialties. In short, there's something for everyone.
Sunday, Aug. 31, from 9-4 p.m., the Howie family of Nutimik Lake holds the 4th annual Kevin Howie Emergency Fund giant garage sale event in honour of their son Kevin who perished on the lake. Established to offer immediate assistance such as food and fuel for family and search teams of a missing person, it has also supplied much needed items such as first aid kits to surrounding lodges, including a defibrillator for the area. The event takes place by Nutimik Lodge store on Hwy. 307. There will be plenty of refreshment for everyone with free games and hot dogs for kids.
Concerning accommodations, be prepared to pay half up front at the time of reservation.
Helpful websites:
www.manitobaparks.com
www.travlmanitoba.com
www.whiteshell.mb.ca
Helpful phone numbers: Manitoba Conservation -- 1-800-214-6497, Winnipeg 945-6784. For year-round, up to date information call 1-800-214-6497 (in Winnipeg, 945-6784)
Detailed maps; call Manitoba Conservation map sales, toll free, 1-877-627-7226.
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