On Friday October 2nd, we continued East from Saskatoon arriving in The Pas, Manitoba in the afternoon. The Pas (pronounced “the paw”) is situated just beyond the Saskatchewan/Manitoba border, 630km northwest of Winnipeg and is considered the Gateway to the North. After checking into our hotel, we set out to discover Clearwater Lake Provincial Park (as recommended by a friendly Northern Manitoban).

Clearwater Lake Provincial Park boasts one of only three “true blue” lakes in existence (despite further research, it is still unclear what exact characteristics are defining of a “true blue” lake but it sounds cool nonetheless). This park also has an interesting network of “caves” along the south shore of Clearwater Lake; they are deep crevices that formed when rock masses split away from shoreline cliffs. We hiked along the short trail that follows along these fissures and then stopped by Sunset Beach just before dusk.

On our second day in The Pas, we rode our bikes around town to get a dose of the region’s rich history and culture at the Sam Waller Museum. Sam Waller was an English collector, naturalist, taxidermist, and teacher who spent his life collecting a very eclectic collection of artifacts from all over North America. We spent a couple of hours browsing through artifacts, animal taxidermy (including a two-headed calf!), historical fur trade displays, native cultural fashion, and war-time memorabilia among many other treasures.

With our heads full of (random) knowledge we spent the rest of the afternoon eating delicious food and playing some pool at the local watering hole.

On Sunday, October 4th, we excitedly wrapped up our time in The Pas in anticipation of our next destination: Thompson, Manitoba – one step closer to our Churchill Polar Bear Adventures!!!!

The Land of Rape and Honey – Tisdale just recently voted to drop the ‘Land of Rape and Honey’ slogan. Rapeseed, often called Rape by those in the agricultural community, was one of the town’s first predominate crops. As Canola became more popular in the mid-80s, the demand for Rapeseed dropped.

Peaceful scenery in Saskatchewan on our way to Manitoba.

Peaceful scenery in Saskatchewan on our way to Manitoba.

The ‘hay art’ along the road in Saskatchewan. This hay art depicts a Minion character from the popular Despicable Me films.

Peaceful scenery in Saskatchewan just before the Manitoba border.

Welcome to Manitoba!

Fall colours in Manitoba on our way to The Pas.

The Pas – Adventure Territory.

Birch tree shows off it’s beautiful fall colour on the Clearwater Lake Caves trail near The Pas, Manitoba.

A view of Clearwater Lake on the Caves trail near The Pas, Manitoba.

A view of Clearwater Lake on the Caves trail near The Pas, Manitoba.

Rock formations along the Caves trail in Clearwater Provincial Park in Manitoba.

Rock formations along the Caves trail in Clearwater Provincial Park in Manitoba.

Rock formations along the Caves trail in Clearwater Provincial Park in Manitoba.

A view of Clearwater Lake on the Caves trail near The Pas, Manitoba.

Clearwater Lake in Clearwater Provincial Park in Manitoba.

Adam hiking the Caves trail in Clearwater Lake in Clearwater Provincial Park in Manitoba.

View Clearwater Lake from Sunset Beach in Clearwater Provincial Park in Manitoba.

View of Clearwater Lake from Sunset Beach in Clearwater Provincial Park in Manitoba.

Clearwater Lake in Clearwater Provincial Park in Manitoba.

A ‘only in Canada’ sign found at our hotel in The Pas, Manitoba.

The Trapper welcome sign in The Pas, Manitoba.

Amanda biking in The Pas, Manitoba.

Sam Waller Museum in the Pas, Manitoba.

Inside the Sam Waller Museum in the Pas, Manitoba.

The exhibits inside the Sam Waller Museum in the Pas, Manitoba.

An inukshuk in The Pas, Manitoba.