With spring in the air, we all want to get outside and enjoy the freshness. From playing soccer, going for a walk, gardening, and even cutting the grass—the possibilities are endless.
Sometimes I want to get a little adventurous, get out of my comfort zone, and go be in nature, the great outdoors. There’s one outdoor activity that always satisfies my craving for adventure: hiking!
I pack up the truck with water, food, my camera, backpacks, and of course my dogs, and head on out to Whiteshell Provincial Park. Many beautiful trails wind throughout the park, leading to countless lakes, and even a few small waterfalls along the way.
Off we go to one of my favourite spots: Pine Point Rapids. Pine Point is a self-guiding trail, as many trails are in the Whiteshell, with a diverse community of natural plants and animals. Pine Point has two trail options—a straight path that cuts right to the rapids, and another off-road that winds through the bush.
I feel like I’m away from the real world when I’m hiking, away from technology without a care in the world. Well, except for bears. If I see a bear, I start to care! It feels great to get into nature and not have to worry about who’s texting or emailing me.
My husband and I, of course, took the longer trail, through the bush and up over the rocks. Jumping over large puddles of standing water in the middle of the trail was the most challenging part. I was climbing the steep rocks like a mountain goat.
Near the beginning of the trail, there’s a beautiful viewpoint atop a huge rock. From above the trees, you can gaze for miles. It’s absolutely breathtaking. It’s amazing to realize that Manitoba has such beautiful forests and lakes, and only a couple of hours from Niverville.
When we finally made it to Pine Point Rapids, the water rushed by and instantly made me calm and relaxed. We played in the rapids for a bit and then headed on to the next portion of the trail to Acorn Fall and Viburnum Falls. This trail was tight; it had lots of roots to trip on and steep dropoffs which I had to sit down to scoot over.
But once we reached Viburnum Falls, it was all worth it! I could honestly sit there all day and listen to the water rushing through the rocks.
We started our trek back to the truck as the sun headed down, woodtick-free, exhausted, and rejuvenated. I can’t wait to explore more hiking trails this spring and summer, and I encourage you to do the same! Be adventurous, get outside, and have fun.
