Sometimes I forget how beautiful and scenic Winnipeg can be. For having a really harsh cold season, things really get green in the summer.

Winnipeg is a city covered in trees. One of the first things you notice when you fly over is the harmony of green scape and concrete. Ancient Elms and Oak trees line the banks of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers.

Of course the consequences of having all those snaking rivers means a lot of bridges. For much of the season tour boats like the River Rouge are cut off from some of the best tour areas due to high water levels or flooding.

I wonder if any of the passengers checked for the life vest before passing under the South Osbourne Bridge?

Will they make it?

Phew! Just barely.

Everyone in Winnipeg should take a boat down our beautiful rivers. I think the brown murkiness and current can turn a lot of people away, but the two rivers of Winnipeg make for a world class landscape which is something we residents take for granted living in our boxes for the better part of the year.

I took a ride through the Forks today to check on the progress of the the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. I’ve been following this construction process for some time now. Here’s another updated picture.

This is one of the most amazing building I have ever had the pleasure to see in person.  It’s a bold design, for more than one reason. Even though the glass sides of the Museum are facing south, we’ll see if they can withstand the cruel North wind of the Winnipeg winter.

The Museum looks different from every angle. Being located in the remaining green space of the Forks cultural centre , the reflections give the building an appearance reminiscent of the ” Emerald City ” from the Wizard of Oz.

The grounds are always very well kept and the surrounding shops and services are a great destination for a bike ride in Winnipeg. The Forks is connected from every direction by bike lanes and paths so don’t forget your panniers when you visit the indoor market for some fresh groceries or a bottle of wine.

As their website claims

“The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is envisioned as a national and international destination-a centre of learning where Canadians and people from around the world can engage in discussion and commit to taking action against hate and oppression.”

It’s a grand, worthy vision, and from a cyclist’s point of view, I sure hope they have an exhibit commemorating bike commuters.

Check out the South webcam here to see how the building process is going for yourself.

I stopped to watch the dragon boaters trainning on the Red River today. The boats all had a lot of character with unique paint on each one, everything from fish scales to Nascar worthy decal jobs.

Here’s two boats drag racing.

Here’s a video

Thorny devils! This it what the buhrs look like before they turn into nature’s own Velcro Balls

Another

They stick just as well to skin as they do polyester.

With temperatures and scenery like this, it pays to pack the tripod chairs and soak in the rays.