Winnipeg

We're in Winnipeg, after 2 days and nights on the train. I thought the prairies would be boring but the whole trip was very interesting - the praries are on such an immense scale. We had a great last day in Churchill. The day before, the maximum was -3 degrees but on the last day everyone was saying how lovely the weather was - it was about+3. Our lovely hotel owner (of the Churchill Motel) allowed us late checkout, 6.30pm at no extra charge. He then drove our luggage to the station for us. Would have driven us as well but we walked. The day before, he loaned someone his pickup to go to the airport. said leave the keys in it and he'd pick it up later. Churchill is isolated - no roads. Only way in at the moment is plane or train so the truck couldn't go far. On our last day, Greg and Val drove us to where a man they know raises some rare breed of dog and the polar bears hang around. Saw six - they were BIG and right beside the car. The dogs tend to chase them away. We saw the jail where they keep bears who stray too close to town. The week we were there they flew out a mother and two cubs - 3 slings, one helicopter. Fun trip back on the train - only 1 sleeper car and 1 sitter. Hardly anyone at all but lots of fun and chat in the dining car. We were next to the German Ambassador to Canada. Tracey, the manager of the dining car, promised us "deer and antelope playing" on the praries (home home on the range!!!) A woman we sat with at breakfast saw 2 coyotes and I saw a fox. Will post our last photos of polar bears (and dogs).