Ochre River is a small quaint village that sits just a minutes drive off of the #5 highway on your way up to Dauphin.  What drew me there the first time, was a cafe in a church called, The Heavenly Scoop.  Unfortunately, I've heard that The Heavenly Scoop is no more. Fortunately, the town is and is waiting for you to explore all of its subtleness and intrigue.  The R.M. of Ochre River is situated between Riding Mountain National Park and Lake Dauphin.  The Villages of Ochre River and Makinak are situated within the municipality.

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Ste.Rose du Lac is a progressive community of approximately one thousand people. The town is situated in Manitoba's beautiful Parkland Region. Ste. Rose du Lac is just over 300 kilometres from Winnipeg. The area has a rich French Canadian heritage. Many residents of Ste.Rose du Lac are fluent in both official languages (Manitoba Community Profiles).

In the spring of 1889, a few Métis from St Vital, seeing a need to go further a field to find the necessary haylands to be able to overwinter their animals, decided to go on an exploratory trip to the west of Lake Manitoba and possibly to Lake Dauphin some 190 miles North West of Winnipeg (Town of Ste.Rose du Lac).

The travellers from St. Vital finding the area suitable to their demands went back to St. Vital, only to return on the 19th of August 1889 to establish themselves as the first residents of what was to be known as Ste. Rose du Lac (Town of Ste.Rose du Lac).

Links

More: Town of Ste. Rose du Lac 

More: Town of Ste. Rose 

Location

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In the shadow of the mountain, the Town of Laurier sits just outside the North East corner boundary of Riding Mountain National Park.

You can easily spend a couple hours exploring another culture, another way of life by visiting the Town of Laurier. Last summer, we came upon Laurier on our way back from a long and arduous search for Skanes Crossing. What turned into a short roadtrip searching on word of mouth, we found what we were looking for by passing through Laurier.

Stop in on your way to or from Dauphin and walk around.

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Which community on the East Side of Riding Mountain National Park should Prairiemango visit?

Let me know.

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***Update - Rumor has it that the Heavenly Scoop is closing its doors, or has closed its doors.  If you want to leave your comments regarding this, please follow their Facebook page.  The link is provided at the bottom of this post.***

While enjoying a quick stopover in Kelwood Manitoba, the girls operating the Harvest Sun Café mentioned this café up the road that serves the best ice cream in the area.  

 

Since we were on our way to look for Skanes Crossing, we were heading up that way anyways.  The decision was made to stop by this café for a quick coffee and possibly some ice cream. 

 

Oh…did I mention that this café runs out of an old church and is called, The Heavenly Scoop?

 

Yup, all puns aside this place is truly one of a kind.

 

Surprising in its form but, not surprising at all, was the polite rural town service that was given to two city folk.  If my memory serves me correct, you can even book some time to play mini-golf on the adjacent lot run by the café. 

 

As the snow has finally fallen, I can only dream of heading back to Ochre River in the summer for some pew sipping latte goodness.

 

Directions:

 

The Heavenly Scoop is located in The Village of Ochre River, just off the North East corner of Riding Mountain National Park, a hop, skip and a jump away from Dauphin Manitoba and 300km’s away from Winnipeg.

 

You have to turn right off of Highway #5 and it’s one of the first buildings on your right as you drive in.  Check the map below for location.

 

For more information on The Heavenly Scoop, check their Facebook page >>here<<

 

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Welcoming you into the Village of McCreary, Agassiz Park Lodge is situated next to Highway #5. With views looking out towards Riding Mountain National Park, Agassiz Park Lodge is located perfectly to explore the region. The owners, Nancy and Marvin, are a great source for local knowledge.

Don't miss the morning coffee chat.

Contacts

Website: www.agassizparklodge.ca

Email: reservations@agassizparklodge.ca

Phone: 1-800-575-1339 (toll free)

 

Set overlooking the lush forests of Riding Mountain National Park and amongst the fertile land towards Lake Manitoba, Riding Mountain East is a destination rich in community and diverse in culture.

This destination runs from the East Escarpment of the park to Lake Manitoba and from the Village of Riding Mountain north up to the Village of Ochre River.

COMMUNITY | McCreary

The Village of McCreary can easily be passed by as a nowhere town in a nowhere place. Not until you turn in and walk through the village does this place truly shine. From days past, a smiling Archie welcomes you while he gazes into the horizon to the opportunistic future. Three short hours from Winnipeg, follow Highway #5 to the outskirts east of Riding Mountain National Park. The Village of McCreary works as a great base for your adventures.

Don’t worry, all the amenities are here. Just head down to the main business district and all will become clear.

With its picturesque tree lined streets, the Village of McCreary basks in the shelter of the scenic wooded Riding Mountain National Park. Much of the rolling hills in the McCreary area are seeded as agricultural crop land, but acres of virgin forest and untamed wilderness still surround McCreary. The area is home to many animals such as fox, racoon, moose and elk. Riding Mountain National Park has one of the densest black bear populations in Canada. McCreary is a community of year round fun where new friends and new neighbours are always welcome (Manitoba Community Profiles).

Follow the links for more

Manitoba Community Profiles - http://www.communityprofiles.mb.ca/cgi-bin/csd/index.cgi?id=4617036

Who is Alpine Archie? Learn more about the Ski and Maple Syrup Capital of Manitoba here:

Town of McCreary - http://www.geocities.com/villageofmccreary

Neepawa Banner - http://www.neepawabanner.com

ACCOMMODATIONS

Agassiz Park Lodge

Box 160 200 Mountain View Drive McCreary MB, R0J1B0

Phone: (204)835-2033

Fax: (204)835-2647

Email: reservations@agassizparklodge.ca

Web: www.agassizparklodge.ca

 

McCreary-Fletcher Park Campground

Box 267 436 Second Avenue McCreary MB, R0J1B0

Phone: (204)835-2341

Fax: (204)835-2658

Email: villageofmccreary@hotmail.com

Web: http://www.geocities.com/villageofmccreary

Mountainside Inn

Box 460 McCreary MB, R0J1B0

Phone: (204)835-2203 

Fax: (204)835-2469

Email: mtnside@mb.sympatico.ca