Highway 59

The first vegetable stand of the trip is the Windmill Potatoes & Vegetables near the Highway 4 turnoff. The original windmill that was once visible from the road may have been replaced with a smaller version, but you won't miss the bright yellow signs directing visitors to the farm. The current operators, Cliff and Liz Waytiuk, now sell mostly organically grown vegetables, including their famous potatoes, which are available all year long from a store adjacent to their 80-year-old picturesque home. 29048 Road 79N, 204-482-5302.  

Just a little further down the highway, Chorney's Vegetables & Fruit has been a family affair for decades. The charming garage-cum-vegetable stand is decorated with nostalgic Old Dutch ads (their potatoes have been used for the chips), and photos of a granddaughter, in toddlerhood to pre-teendom, happily showing off their produce. Doug Chorney is now at the reins and continues to grow sweet corn, beets, carrots, beans, peas, cauliflower, squash, cucumbers, garlic, onions and more. In season, you can pick up locally-grown or wild berries harvested in the area. The stand also offers painted Easter eggs, perogies and bouquets of fresh-picked garden flowers. Watch for signs on the highway marking the opening of the market closer to summer. Corner of Highway 59 and Road 80 near the Hwy 4 turnoff. 204-482-5008.

Follow the sweetly painted honeybees and take a left a little further on at the junction of 508 to find The Honey House. This apiary was established in 1959 by John and Ursula Dolinski and the operation is now managed by daughter and son-in-law Bob and Lorraine Check. The Checks offer jars of multiply-filtered, but unpasteurized honey, honey combs, wax and pollen in a charming house using what must be equipment that has been passed down the generations. Signs posted on Highway 59 and leading up to the property are usually well-marked when each year’s fresh crop is ready, but you can call 204-482-5198 before you go, just to be sure.

Devil's Creek Herb and Berry Farm is a must stop for raspberry pickers in late July. While picking a pail of sweet, juicy berries yourself certainly has its merits, in a pinch, if you call ahead, they just might be able to pick a pail for you. The farm also grows currants, wild plums, fresh vegetables and a great herbal tea made with raspberry leaves. Some impressive basil grown at the farm goes to supply specialty foods retailers with jars of the dried variety all year long. Call the friendly proprietors, Robert and Wendy Shearer, at 204-766-2669. Watch for signs about 12 km north of Selkirk.

Heading north the flat prairies give way to birch and boreal forest. In season these areas offer great wild blueberry, strawberry, Saskatoon berry and raspberry picking. Though locals are unlikely to give out their prized picking spots, watch for cars parked along the side of the highway in heavily wooded areas for some potential locations.

West of the highway, in the Grand Beach area, offers plenty of local dives like Lanky's (famous for its 24" hotdogs) in Grand Marais and the Black Forest Store in Lester Beach.

The corner of Highway 59 and Highway 11 is home to Traverse Bay Corner. Stop here for some homemade pie at Idle Thyme Restaurant or a cone of Manitoban-made Dairy Chef ice cream at the mini-golf next door. A trip inside Plum Creek Gift Shop is always in order, too. The shop is well stocked with a remarkable selection of gourmet gadgets, preserves and tableware.

Near Traverse Bay Road, look for hand-painted signs for smoked fish. Local fishermen often sell their fresh catch of pickerel, along with smoked goldeye, right off the road.

In Albert Beach, Saffie's Store has undergone a makeover, and now resembles an old-time general store. The shop serves nice coffees and ready-to-eat snacks, which are great for picnics on the neighbouring white sand beaches.

Between Albert and Victoria Beaches is the latest farm stand, right on the side of the road. Greg's Organic Produce is out most weekends from summer to fall, selling their freshly harvested organic veggies from their truck.

Our trip was capped off with a visit to Einfeld’s Bakery in Victoria Beach. This old-fashioned bakeshop has been offering summer residents traditional treats since the 1930s. A vehicle ban in the summer months means you’ll have to park in the community lot, but the bakery is just a short walk from there. It’s on Birch Avenue, but you won’t need directions—just follow your nose. The aroma of fresh baking breads and cinnamon buns fills the air. Locals will rave about the dream cookies (a shortbread imperial) and kids swoon over the happy faces, but the real treat is breads like traditional Irish and pecan loaves.

photography by Grajewski Fotograph Inc.