Page 177 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Canada

Visitors taking in the
spectacular Northern
Lights above Churchill

Today, visitors come to see the
polar bears, beluga whales,
and the splendid tundra flora
in this region. In the spring
the tundra’s covering of moss,
lichens, and tiny flowers bursts
into an array of colors. In the
summer beluga whales move
up-river and can be seen
from boat or kayaking trips.
Churchill is also one of the
best places in Canada to see
the Northern Lights (p359).

35
Selkirk
@ n Red River North
Tourism, 18 Main St;
www. redrivernorth
tourism.com
Named after the fifth Earl
of Selkirk, Thomas Douglas,
whose family had an interest
in the Hudson’s Bay Company,
Selkirk was established in 1882,
Hecla/Grindstone Provincial 34 when settlers arrived along
Park occupies a number of the shores of the Red River.
islands in the lake. A causeway Churchill Today, on Main Street, a 25-ft
links the mainland to Hecla ~ £ n Off Kelsey Blvd; (8-m) statue of a catfish pro-
Island, originally inhabited (204) 675 8863 claims Selkirk as the “catfish
by the Anishinabe (Ojibwa) ∑ churchill.ca capital of North America.”
people. The first European Sport fishing is a year-round
settlers here were Icelanders, Located at the mouth of the activity, attracting enthu siasts
who arrived in 1875. Today, Churchill River on Hudson Bay, from across North America.
the lakeside village of Hecla this town retains an industrial The city’s Marine Museum
is a pretty open-air museum feel, with no luxury hotels, few of Manitoba on Eveline St
featuring several restored paved roads, and few trees. displays six restored historic
19th-century build ings. This vast Arctic landscape ships, including the 1897 S.S.
From Hecla there are hiking is snow-free only from Keenora, which is Manitoba’s
and biking trails that lead June through to the end of oldest steamship.
to viewpoints for sightings September. Churchill has no
of rare waterfowl such as road access and can be reached
great blue herons and the only by plane or train from PICTURE PERFECT
western grebe. Winnipeg, Thompson, and Animal Snaps
The Pas. Despite its remote Budding wildlife
Grand Beach Provincial situation, Churchill was an photo graphers will
Park important point of entry into be spoilt for choice in
" ⌂ Hwy 12, nr Grand Marais Canada for early European Churchill. In summer,
§ (204) 754 5040 # Daily explorers and fur traders beluga whales can be
arriving by boat in the glimpsed from boat
Hecla/Grindstone 18th century. The Hudson’s trips, while polar bear
Provincial Park Bay Company established season is from mid-
⌂ Hwy 8, nr Riverton an outpost for fur trading October to November.
§ (204) 378 2261 # Daily here in 1717.
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