Is Northern Ontario ever going to end? - Day 3

As much as I am deeply, genuinely in love with the Canadian Shield — the raw beauty of it, the strength of it, the way it stretches endlessly across the north like some ancient, rocky bodyguard — after two straight days of driving through Northern Ontario, I did start to wonder…

Does it ever… end?

And then — almost suspiciously — it did end. The rocks started to soften, the land opened up, and suddenly the horizon stretched out in a way that felt almost shocking after being held in by forest for so long.

Before I knew it, I was in Manitoba.

It was a beautiful, sunny day, and I found myself at Assiniboine Park and wandered into the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden.

What an absolute gem.

Even though the indoor gallery was closed when I got there (timing continues to be my brand), the outdoor sculpture garden was stunning. Peaceful, open, quietly inspiring. I wandered through, taking it all in, thinking how unreal this must be in spring and summer when everything is alive and blooming instead of… artistically frozen.

Despite the lack of blooms, the sun had called upon many other travellers and native Manitobans alike, all enjoying this spectacular garden.  And this green space.  Kudos to the urban planner who designed this whole area.  Mix in some friendly Manitobans, and it was a perfect stop !!

Back on the road, I dined like a true highway connoisseur: apples, beef sticks, kiwis, and a heroic mix of nuts and seeds. Honestly, what more could a traveller want? Open road, good music, snacks that require zero refrigeration, and absolutely no one judging your food combinations.

And Manitoba in late March?

Let’s just say… it has a minimalist aesthetic.

Flat. Open. Honest. No distractions. Just you, your thoughts, and a horizon that refuses to get any closer.

Manitoba shall spill her secrets to me on the way back home, as I must forge westwards to make up some lost time...

A few more pit stops later, I pushed on toward Moose Jaw — fairly certain I was personally responsible for dragging winter along with me. Sorry about that.

But those Saskatchewan skies… there’s something about them. Vast, dramatic, a little mysterious. Like they’re holding onto stories they’re not quite ready to tell.

And there I was, driving straight into them.