Last week, Andrew and I went on an adventure to yantzied with two of our nieces. Here’s what we all got up to!
First, Neubergthal! A lot has happened here since I first blogged about it in 2017. Since then, the Klippenstein House and Commons Barn has become an event venue, and that’s where we went first — because a summer student was awaiting visitors inside.
It was good that we went there first, because then she knew to go unlock the Friesen Housebarn for us to explore! I think our nieces enjoyed checking out the housebarn — I wonder if it felt to them both strange and familiar. (That’s how it feels to me…)
After inspecting the housebarn high and low, and reflecting on “how things were back then”, we walked to the end of the village street, and then got back in the car. It wasn’t long before we were driving past Gnandenfeld and a familiar sign:
I don’t know how you feel about Pioneer Meat, but we are fans. We once did a farmers sausage tasting with friends, and while everyone had varying opinions, Andrew and I agreed Pioneer Meat farmers sausage was our favourite. And every time I drive past Pioneer Meat on our drive from Neubergthal to Altona, I wonder if they have a storefront. This time we stopped and I went in to inquire. I found out that you can order for pickup (and save money, they have the details, I’m definitely getting it wrong here) they don’t actually have a store. But wow it smelled good in there.
We were very hungry for lunch, so we went to Pizza Haven for and ordered the Mennonite Delight, because obviously.
Then we visited the sculpture garden at the Gallery in the Park. Their collection of sculptures is seriously impressive, and maybe not something you’d expect from Altona. Definitely worth a visit!
Here are a bunch of pics from our exploration of the sculptures!
Then we went to the “other Mennonite landing” at Fort Dufferin!
We’ve been here once before, but have never actually paid attention to the specific spot of disembarkation, where my ancestors would’ve gotten off the boat. This sign points the way down to the bank of the Red River.
But there is an easier way to get there — a nearby trail. I mentioned to the girls that we had never followed that path, and the next thing I knew, they were running off toward the river and I lost sight of them. Fantastic.
This is the sight we encountered — they had both stopped nicely on the bank and were looking quietly at the river.
I thought the flowers deserved a moment, too.
After Andrew and the girls climbed back up to the fort, I remained, listening to the wind in the lush undergrowth. It was one of those moments that I always want, but don’t often get — when I kind of space out and just am lost in imagining the past happening here at this place where I am standing in the present.
The point of disembarkation was over there, to your left.
This cottonwood looks very old. I hear they don’t live very long, but perhaps this tree saw our ancestors land for the first time in Manitoba.
Soon I could hear my niece calling “Auntie Erin!” so I shook myself awake and rejoined them.
Can you see the depression in the grass? It’s where the barracks had been:
After this, we headed north on Highway 75. I heard our nieces saying nice things to each other, contentedly in the backseat. Aw. We stopped at Tim Hortons on the way home. It was a good day.
