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Destinations Detours and Dreams September 2020

Behind The Scenes

I published stories to the blog on a more regular basis throughout August. Other than that, August has been a quiet month and there is little to report from behind (or in front of) the scenes.

A Peek Ahead

Fall is on the horizon in my neck of the woods. Temperatures are dipping lower overnight. The sun now sets shortly after 8 pm. (One of the things I love about early summer in southern Manitoba is daylight until 10 pm.) I usually find fall, particularly September, a good time to travel. Temperatures are generally pleasant. Things aren't as crowded as in mid-summer and many seasonal attractions are still open. But travel is not in the plans this year.

Plans for the next couple of months, loose as they are, include a couple of virtual writer conferences, maybe a virtual travel writing conference, perhaps attending some local events scheduled for September (e.g. Doors Open), and maybe visiting one or two of the museums that have reopened. Note the use of maybe and perhaps. It is hard to make definite plans these days.

Manitoba, which had seen relatively few COVID-19 cases until mid-July, is experiencing a surge with case numbers higher than they were in the March-April time frame. The province has implemented a four-level colour coding system to identify level of risk. Restrictions vary according to risk level. One region within the province has seen increased restrictions at the Orange level as a result. The rest of the province remains in Yellow (Caution) status. Green status will occur only when the virus is broadly contained or effective vaccines/treatments are available, so the goal at the moment is to remain in Yellow status. Next week school restarts. Individual schools and divisions have different plans in place to do this as safely as possible, but there is some anxiety among parents, teachers, and students. Hopefully we don't see more areas of the province going into orange (or God forbid red) status as we try to learn how to live with the virus.

August Destinations Detours and Dreams Stories

Road Trip Tips

Road trip travel tips to make the best of your next driving vacation

The Famous Salt Spring Island Saturday Market

Art and local produce meet at the famous Saturday Market on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada

Mural Tour In Winnipeg's West End

A walking tour in the West End, a neighbourhood of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada known for its collection of murals

Explore Canadian Prairie History At Pembina Threshermen's Museum In Winkler, Manitoba

A museum in southern Manitoba showcases local agricultural history and Canadian prairie life

From The Archives

Wandering Through Winchester

Remembering a several-years-ago September trip to England and a day spent in Winchester, Hampshire, a medieval market town full of history, modern commerce, and a few quirks.

Donna Janke is the author of Destinations Detours and Dreams, where you can find travel stories from near and far, the familiar and the obscure, the beautiful and the bizarre, with a focus on history, gardens, nature, art, architecture, culture and the snowbird life. She tells her stories through a combination of narrative, photos and personal reflection. Sign up for the monthly newsletter here.

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