I'm headed for Grand Marais Manitoba on Monday and thought some of you might have some suggestions as to some landmarks one should visit just north of the border. Think MN1K 2007.

Rick

Bring mosquito repellent.

Can't go wrong with TC-71.

Rick

The word "Marais" is reported to mean "swamp" or "harbor", depending on who you ask around here. In Canada speak, harbor is spoken/spelled harbour. I do know that Grand Marais, MN and Grand Marais, MI both have a harbor. The MN version used to have a big swamp right in town, but that's been filled in with trash, junk, an old car or two, dirt, and now is a blacktop parking lot.

Please make some observations and see if you can find a swamp or harbour. Ask one of the locals what "Marais" means. No, ask a good number and do a poll. I know from the MN version, that the definition varies. We wait your report back on the Manitoba definition of "Marais".

MikeS

According to the French/English translation (http://www.freetranslation.com/) on the web, marais means marsh. Ain't the internet great.

When you are there, hang out here: http://sandbarmotorinn.com/home

MNLDRiders was planning a GM to GM to GM run, but in the end it was dropped. I made up a proposed route. Went from GM, MN, to GM, MB, and back to GM, MI.

Grand Marais, MB is embedded in Grand Beach, MB. It's located on Lake Winnipeg. The lake resembles an upside down mitten, and Grand Beach is just around the knuckle of the first finger.

Can't upload the map, but willing to send to anyone interested.

If you are looking for landmarks and other areas of interest, the area east of Lake Winnipeg is mostly left natural. Along highway 11, there is a set of waterfalls called the Seven Sisters, this is located near Pinawa. There is also a suspension bridge in near Pinawa, but I am uncertain of its exact location. Depending on which route you are coming, a ride through the White Shell Provincial Park is also beautiful and will take you through some beautiful country.

While in Grand Marais, stop by the bakery. I was there last summer and had some very good sausage rolls and a toasted cinnamin roll. It was very reasonably priced and quite tasty.

Just across the lake from GM is Gimli. This is a town that was settled by Icelanders in the recent past. It is also where the distillery for Crown Royal is located. It is the tourist spot for many people from Winnipeg to go on the weekends. If you wish, there are a number of plastic animals on display in a number of communities in the area between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba. Just south and west of Gimli, in Komorno is the world's largest mosquito. There are also numerous large, plastic fish and birds in the area.

This is just a beginning. Hope this helps.

"Just south and west of Gimli, in Komorno is the world's largest mosquito."

You obviously weren't in my garage this afternoon.