By this time in winter we all start to think about summer. I think that is human nature, always trying to get what is not available. I wonder who put that in our genetic code… Anyway, in a photographer’s fashion, I have my own way to get what we all crave at some point in winter.
Photographical memories. While they are easy to see, they are not always easy to take or make.
When the times are warm and welcoming, we never think of winter. When winter makes us shiver, we think of summer. Almost everyone dreams of the time they will be rich. Always something to get what we don’t have.
Gold River
Holidays are the easiest times to have memories of, right? Well, in the “semi” north of Manitoba, you can make memories by the bucketful. Crossing the Gold River, my first inkling that the province of Manitoba must have (had) gold. I never heard of a gold rush into Manitoba, though. This must have been very hush hush or simply swooped up by big companies, leaving nothing for any prospector.
Last home standing
Today that might be so, but 80 years ago it was still possible to live as a miner/trapper in the middle of nearly nowhere, and make a living. Trapper Johnson lived here, during the summer months for trapping and left for the nearby town of Beresford when trapping was no longer possible. This is one of the last remaining structures of that period, Beresford has all but disappeared from the map. Beresford Lake is still here, as witnessed in the lead picture of this post.
Cowboy TV is good for making dinner
Being up there is a bit of “roughing it”. A campground without running water or electricity. Forget about cellphone coverage or internet. Exactly how I like to spend my holidays, as long as I can keep my camera running.
Wild rice by the tonne
Nearby Long Lake yields tons of wild rice, it seems. But not for the hungry tourist. If you do not take all of your essentials with you from civilisation, you are going to have a rough time. As you can see, we brought burgers, potatoes and a bunch of other things, including drinking water. We were only staying a night or two, so no worries about washing or anything. A dip in the lake was all that was required.
Clean cut grass
On another trip, we didn’t go as far north as Beresford Lake, but stayed in Manigotagan. The campground was a little bigger, with some amenities like cut grass and washrooms. No running water here either, though. Even if the river was flowing strong nearby.
Wild water, just not drinking water
We stayed for a night, just to test the waters… We’ll be back one day or another. The campground owner was friendly and a “stray” dog kept us company and even “defended” us against other dogs. I guess they are that nice up here 
.
The end of the day
The evening brought its own charms. A nice warm breeze here and there, no mosquitoes to speak of, which is a big deal to me. Needless to say that I do not like mosquitoes… Spending the night under the stars or in a tent is always a big pleasure for me, as long as it’s warm enough to do so. I must say that I have never tried it in Winter.
Breakfast in the sun
The next morning, breakfast in the sunshine, can it get any better than that? For me, these are all warm memories, memories to be treasured and shared. Who know, someone will try to do the same thanks to this post…
Until next time…