Happy Easter

Just a short and warm welcome for anyone reading this around Easter time. The RIver Gate Inn would like to wish everyone a happy and enjoyable Easter.

Spring is here - or is it?

This year has been a topsy-turvey spring as far as weather goes. We had a fantastic week of temperatures 6 or 7 degrees above normal with all the snow melting, the river breaking up and everything proceeding nicely. Then we dropped 7 or 8 degrees BELOW the normal temperatures and back into freezing - even a little snow. That was a few days ago and it seems like we are back on track to welcome in Spring. Now, I know that the spring river levels are a yearly topic but honestly, it has to be around here. There is a yearly concern for flooding and the ice dams around Selkirk this year show how quickly and easily the Red or Assiniboine rivers can flood. The weird temperatures may have provided a saving grace - not including those in Selkirk - as the river seems to be going down now. The odd combination of an early thaw and then back into freezing has given the river time to start flowing but now be overwhelmed with ALL the melting snow as there is still some left. There is an interesting sight though if you go down to the river you will see a full tree long since dead though, floating and wedged up against the ice that has built up as the river turns. It just seems oddly appropriate for this spring.

Garden Path Bed and Breakfast

On our way home from our weekend escape we managed to pop in and see a fantastic B & B in Neepawa, Manitoba. Garden Path Bed & Breakfast is owned and operated by George and Susan Phillips. This is a great Bed & Breakfast with lots of antiques and we were lucky enough to have been surprised with a lunch. Unexpected and fantastic! Quiche, avacodo and pecan salad and fresh baked biscuits! What a treat and a perfect way to set us off to Winnipeg - after a tour of the house of course. The feeling in the whole house is one of warmth and welcome so we can only imagine what it's like staying as guests. At this time of the year you can only imagine the garden in full bloom. Privately covered with trellises, a pond, flowers and an incredible variety of Lillies can only be fantastic in the summer! If you are ever in Neepawa and need a place to stay - consider giving them a call.

Law's Way and the Castle

While staying at Fairmount B & B, our host Susan suggested we ask to see the other B & B's in Minnedosa - Law's Way and The Castle. The Castle is a Queen Ann castle that has been converted into a Bed and Breakfast. Make sure to ask about the tunnel if you are going to view it! Our visit was brief as we caught Darryl and Pat just before dinner and didn't want to impose too much. They graciously showed us around and explained some of the renovation work they had undertaken.
Law's way was quite a treat as we managed to spend some time talking with Maxine and Doug Law, the owners and hosts. The house - which many of the locals know as Doctor Stevenson's (sp?) home, is filled with fantastic woodwork throughout and Doug has spent lots of time making improvements and restoring the Arts and Crafts style home. The finished plans sound spectacular and will only add to the grandeur of the home. There are a number of unique and special features of the home and Doug and Maxine have a great sense of style. Doug is a retired RCMP officer and is an extremely knowledgeable person about restoration and home construction.
Thanks for the time and the great tours.

Weekend Escape - Fairmount B & B!

Well, just to show that we are not hypocrites - Michelle and I had a fantastic weekend getaway staying at the Fairmount Bed and Breakfast in Minnedosa with our houst Susan Proven. We had a fantastic time in Susan's 1914 farm house located just north of Minnedosa. The atmosphere was relaxed and quiet, we had fantastic food prepared by Susan (she even treated us to some of her farm raised lamb for dinner one evening - excellent by the way!). We hope to make it back during the summer for an evening when Susan told us she would prepare some lake trout - raised and caught in her wetland area. We had fresh baked sun dried tomatoe bread along with fresh hot pumpkin muffins, grapefruit, frittata, locally grown rose hip tea and locally grown peppermint tea, fantastic red raspberry jam and gooseberry jam, a wonderful breakfast imported from Newfoundland among other things - all grown and prepared by Susan on her farm. IT WAS EXCELLENT! Michelle and I can imagine the atmosphere during the summer time when the lake has geese and birds in abundance, the sheep are grazing, and the sun is shining. We might head off to Riding Mountain National park after an incredible breakfast, play a round of golf, grab some lunch and head back to relax around the bonfire at night.
The rooms are cozy and Susan has incredible stories about the history of the area, the farm (four generations of Provens have owned the home), and local knowledge. Susan also recommended we check out some of the other B & B's in the area - which we did and that's another story. On our way out we decided we couldn't live without some of the homemade preserves Susan has for sale. Saskatoon berry jam and syrup, both of the jams we had for breakfast, pickles, Green Tomatoe Chow Chow (you need to try it to find out - awesome), and other jams, jellies and surprises. One thing you might want to ask about if you decide to stay there are the wool duvets handcrafted by Susan with the wool from her sheep! What a treat!