By Lori Janeson

If you’re a parent, you know that taking a family vacation can be a precious time of bonding and making the memories of a lifetime. You also know that keeping children interested and engaged can be a challenge.

If you’re looking for a destination that hits all the right spots both for yourself and the children, you can’t do better than Hecla Island and the Interlake region. The children will be so busy they won’t have time to say “I’m bored.”

A Vacation at Hecla is Affordable

If you’re on a budget, and most families are, money matters. A vacation to Hecla Island and the Lake Winnipeg region is an affordable destination that packs a whole lot of attractions and activities that rival more expensive locations. Enjoy a variety of free and budget-friendly activities from walking the beaches to visiting historical sites without worrying about spending too much.

So Many Beaches, Too Little Time

It might seem like there’s not enough time to get everything in, but choosing one or two beaches to visit gives you much-needed relaxation time and children the fun they look for.

“Sunset Beach and Gull Harbour give families ample opportunities to swim after a day of hiking, kayaking, fishing or biking.” — Lori Janeson

Swimming is best left for late summer vacations, but even when the water’s cold, the beautiful surroundings provide plenty of fun.

Patricia Beach Provincial Park is another great family beach with picnic areas, scenic walks and swimming. Shifting sand dunes, deciduous forest and a marsh/lagoon area gives children a lot to explore.

Nature Galore!

There’s nothing like hiking one of the region’s enchanting parks or trails to tire the children out. Seriously though, getting back to nature after living, working and going to school in the city is vital for the well-being of the entire family. The Interlake region is full of parks, wilderness areas hiking trails and historical sites ideal for recharging the spirit.

Hecla Island is part of the Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park. Enjoy self-guided tours of Hecla Village, the restored early-20th century Icelandic fishing village, visit Grassy Narrows Marsh to see wildlife, maybe even a moose and experience the Lighthouse Trail near Gull Harbour.

A visit to FortWhyte Alive provides a unique and compelling connection to nature and sustainable living. The 640-acre protected green space is a haven to wildlife and is particularly dramatic in September because of fall bird migration.

What began as a war of the railroads in the 1880s is now a wildlife and environmental education area. Open year-round, FortWhyte Alive has more than seven kilometres of hiking trails where people can hike or snowshoe through breathtaking forests and meadows.

One of FortWhyte’s unique attractions is a 70-acre bison prairie where bison roam free. Bison viewing safaris are available throughout the summer months. Other family activities include nature walks, wildlife viewing, a family treehouse, canoeing and year-round fishing.

FortWhyte also has Manitoba’s largest indoor aquarium, a gift shop, museum and plenty of environmental and historical exhibits.

A family vacation to Hecla Island and the Interlake region is sure to provide more than just a getaway but also builds those precious memories you and your family will always remember.

Lori Janeson and her husband David are the owners of the Gull Harbour Marina on Hecla Island

By Lori Janeson

Birding is a wonderful way to learn about the different species and experience the great outdoors. The Hecla Park Manitoba Region is full of exciting destinations for experienced birders as well as beginners.

Here are some of the most popular and exciting bird watching sites in the area, sorted by region. Get ready to add to your life list.

Interlake Region

Lake Winnipeg’s white pelicans delight birders every year. The Interlake Region consists of Hecla Grindstone Provincial Park and Camp Morton Provincial near Gimli, and Birds Hill Provincial Park and Oak Hammock Marsh, near Selkirk.

Both Hecla Grindstone Provincial Park and Oak Hammock Marsh give birders ample opportunities to see birds with developed bird sites on trails that include blinds, lookout towers, benches, overlooks, viewing telescopes and informational signs.

“Birds Hill Park boasts as many as 200 bird species that include indigo buntings, clay-colored sparrows, horned larks, goshawks, red-tailed hawks, hairy woodpeckers and yellow-bellied sapsuckers.” — Lori Janeson

In all, over 300 bird species have been sighted in the Interlake Region, including birds that make many lifer lists, including snowy owls, bald eagles, short-eared and great gray owls and gyrfalcons. If you’re a birder, you’re sure to find a life list species or two.

Western Region

Although the list in this region is short, it doesn’t lack for bird watching attractions. Turtle Mountain Provincial Park is located close to Brandon. Turtle Mountain is a protected wildlife management area (WMA). Birds and wildlife are abundant. Whitewater Lake is near Boissevain and is a designated Canadian Important Bird Area (IBA), WMA and a recognized Manitoba Heritage Marsh.

Parkland Region

Over 260 bird species have been recorded at the Riding Mountain National Park close to Dauphin. The Swan River area has two active bird watching attractions in Duck Mountain Provincial Park and Porcupine Provincial Forests.

Resident and migrating birds nest, feed and rest in the region making nearly any season the perfect time to watch birds. Recorded bird species in the Parkland region include sandhill cranes, several species of owls and ducks, prairie horned larks, belted kingfishers, American white pelicans, rose-breasted grosbeaks and great blue herons.

Northern Region

The northern region provides opportunities to see a wide variety of bird species. Wapusk National Park near Churchill is a protected birding site and favorite resting place for many migratory birds.

Other favorite bird watching locations in the north include Grass River Provincial Park, Clearwater Lake Provincial Park and the Saskeram Provincial Wildlife Management Area.

Tundra swans, snow geese, ptarmigans, several owl species, Arctic terns, gyrfalcons and peregrine falcons are just a few of the many species you can see here.

Central Region

Bird species in the central region include American white pelicans, American redstarts, Tennessee warblers, great blue herons, sandpipers, least flycatchers and piping plovers. Visit the Delta Marsh near Portage La Prairie and Big Grass Marsh close to Gladstone for the best views.

Pembina Valley Region

More than 200 bird species have been recorded in this region near Morden. The biggest attractions by far are the golden and bald eagles that frequent the area. Vultures, chickadees, towhees, red-tailed hawks and woodpeckers are also abundant during the summer and migratory months.

Lori Janeson and her husband David are the owners of the Gull Harbour Marina on Hecla Island