Saturday, July 20, 2019 (Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Winnipeg, Manitoba)--PART 1

Wedding day! We woke to beautiful blue sky...but as the day progressed, we had quite a mixture of cloud and sun and even a downpour or two. This is the view from our hotel room...overlooking the airport. The only thing I didn't like about the room was that the windows don't open, keeping out the airplane noise but you have to rely strictly on the air conditioning...

Since the wedding isn't until 5:30 p.m., we basically had the whole day. So after breakfast with Nadine and Mike in the restaurant downstairs, we decided to take a taxi to one of the main tourist "must-see" sights in Winnipeg...The Forks...

The Forks, located at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, has been a meeting place for over 6,000 years. Indigenous peoples traded at The Forks, followed by European fur traders, Scottish settlers, railway pioneers and tens of thousands of immigrants.
Over the last 30 years, we have transformed this abandoned railyard into The Forks, Winnipeg’s foremost destination, with this set of goals in mind:
The Forks shall be developed as a meeting place a special and distinct, all-season gathering and recreational place at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, through a mixed-use approach including recreational, historical and cultural, institutional and supportive commercial uses.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights...as we approach The Forks. We'll have to see that another time..
Come see this stunning international architectural icon in Winnipeg. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is the only Museum in the world devoted to human rights awareness and education.

The taxi driver dropped us off near The Forks National Historic Site...where we started our sightseeing.
Come to The Forks and walk in footsteps formed by the leather moccasins of the Indigenous peoples who fished and camped here thousands of years ago; the boots of fur trappers and traders of the North West and Hudson’s Bay Companies; and the flip-flops of today’s urban explorers. Stroll the river banks and understand the connection between these flowing waters and the flow of people and trade goods that came from around the globe, and ultimately changed the Canadian west.

Oodena Celebration Circle...pays homage to 6000 years of Aboriginal peoples of the area...

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Assiniboine River on the right joins the Red River...

Monument to missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls...

 I sat and waited as the others walked over the bridge...
The Forks Historic Rail Bridge marks the optimal spot to overlook meeting of the Assiniboine and the mighty Red Rivers. Originally built in 1888 and abandoned for many years until it was converted into its current state as a lighted crossing for pedestrians, cyclists, and skaters in the winter. Occasionally serving as an art gallery.

From the bridge, Splash Dash Tour Boats on Assiniboine River...
Scenic and historically informative half-hour tours of Winnipeg's downtown waterways departing from The Forks Historic Port.

And on the other side The Forks where the rivers join...

Then we continued into The Forks Market Plaza...
Centrally located at the heart of The Forks, The Plaza as it is affectionately known by locals, is always a great place to meet.

The Forks Market, where we got ice cream, is in the building behind us in the picture below. There is picture of inside the market a little further down.
The Forks’ unique history is apparent in its bustling market. Originally two adjacent stables for competing rail companies circa early 1900, the horse stalls were joined together by a courtyard and bridges to create The Forks Market.

Ice cream break...

The Winnipeg Fish Festival was one of the events going on in the Plaza today.
The Fish Festival is a fun day for families to participate in fishing activities, including kid’s fishing activity stations, filleting demonstration, kid’s casting lane, catfish seminar, pickerel rig tying contest, critter dipping, boater safety, hourly prize draws for kids, and much more! Admission is free. Festival occurs rain or shine.

Filleting demonstration, organ identification and stomach contents...the kids loved it, but some in the audience not so much!

Kids learning how to cast...

We took the elevator up (rather than take the stairs!) The Forks Market Tower
The pinnacle of The Forks Market is a six-storey high tower with a viewing platform that affords a dramatic view of the famed junction of the Assiniboine and Red rivers along with Winnipeg’s skyline. Heritage interpretive panels help visitors uncover the historical significance of The Forks and surrounding areas.

Great views...

 Inside the Market...

We walked across to the other side of the Plaza to check out Johnson Terminal...The four-storey Johnston Terminal, formerly a cold storage railway warehouse, is now home to a variety of unique specialty boutiques, stores, offices, café, and restaurant.

I left the others to explore an antique store downstairs, while I "zero'd in" on a little boutique selling dresses. I hadn't planned on buying anything but decided that a dress would be nice to wear to the wedding...besides, it's been a long time since I have owned a dress! Nine...yes, that's 9...years! The last dress I had was one I wore to Rob and Angie's wedding in March, 2010.

Time to head out...and call a taxi.

We were back at the hotel around 2:00...time to relax with a drink in the bar and have a small bite to eat before we are picked up for the wedding!