In Winnipeg we visited the confluence of the Red River of the North and Assiniboine river which the town has turned into a very pleasant park and monument to the First Nations and immigrants to the area. The monument is called The Oedana Celebration Circle.

"Near the convergence of the two rivers is a natural shallow amphitheatre known as the Oodena Celebration Circle. It pays homage to the 6,000 years of Aboriginal peoples in the area. Oodena, Cree for centre of the city, features ethereal sculptures, a sundial, interpretive signage, a naked eye observatory and a ceremonial fire pit, making it a desirable venue for Aboriginal and cultural celebrations or a place to simply sit and marvel at its beauty."

It seems that Winnipeg has a large Jewish Community with synagogues and a Jewish Federation. The Bronfman's of Seagrams fame come from Winnipeg. More importantly for us Winnipeg is also the home of The Jewish Museam of Western Canada..

The museum which is housed in the Winnipeg Jewish Federation was closed for renovation but the security guard was kind enough to let us in.

The museam has a separate section dedicated to the Holocaust and displays one of my favorite quotes because the point is still relavent today even if the location and actors have changed.

Western Canada has a thriving Jewish community. Unlike those Jews in the U.S. who tried agriculture and failed the Jews of Canada were more successful although most are no longer farmers.

Hymie Buller a visitor to New York and a well known New York Ranger Hockey player was raised in Saskatoon which we drove through on our way west.

From Winnipeg we continued west through Canada's bread basket where grain elevators and growers cooperatives line the rail corridor.

We arrived in Edmonton, AB the weekend before the start of the National Hockey league championship and everybody had Oiler flags streaming from their car antenna's. We shopped in Costco, converted money and went to a fantastic Chinese restaurant for a lobster dinner. If you find yourself in Edmonton don't miss Jumbo Dim Sum. I am sure you can find it in a telephone directory. One of the desk clerks at the campground was kind enough to recommend it when we asked about restaurants.

Everybody driving to Alaska uses the Milepost as a guide. you might even say it has been the bible of the Alaska bound since 1949.

"The Milepost provides mile-by-mile descriptions of all major highways and roads in Alaska and northwest Canada; detailed information on all major destinations (cities, communities, national parks,and other attractions) in the North: and how-to help for various modes of transportation (air, ferry,railroads, etc.)... The Milepost will work for you regardless of how you you plan to travel - whether by car, by plane, on a tour bus, or by bicycle. It will help you plan your trip as well as acting as a valuable guide during your trip"

The Milepost outlines two approaches to the Alaska Highway also known as the Alcan( Alaska Canada Highway) The East beginning in Great Falls Montana and the West beginning in Seattle, Washington. Both meet at Dawson Creek, British Columbia the beginning of the Alcan. We on the other hand began our trip in Fargo, North Dakota driving west from Winnipeg, Manitoba through Saskatchewan to Alberta where we picked up the East Route in Edmonton.

In Edmonton we again made a right turn and headed north to Dawson Creek and "Mile 0" of the famous Alaska - Canada Highway (Alcan).