When it’s October in Manitoba  (Manitoba is one of Canada's 10 provinces, officially recognized by the Federal Government in 1870 as separate from the Northwest Territories, and became the first province created from the Territories), you can rest assured that summer is over, but that’s OK, for its time to see the polar bears in Churchill on the Hudson Bay. You can patch together all the plans yourself and coordinate being here and there on schedule, or you can take a totally easy and effortless approach to this phenomenal experience.  By joining a Fantasy RV Tour (they also rent motorhomes) you let them do all of the planning and make all the reservations. This includes RV campgrounds, guided tours, gourmet dinners, train reservations between Thompson and Churchill, hotel accommodations in Churchill and all your meals while there, However, by far the most important reservation made is the tundra buggy tour that takes you out among the polar bears.   

The comradely of sharing this unique experience with others is another excellent reason to join a Fantasy RV Tours.  Each day you’re briefed on the upcoming activities and the travel that lies ahead.  Each morning you depart on a new adventure.  Led by a wagon master, the last person to depart camp is the tail gunner who brings up the rear and makes sure everyone stays found.  He is there to intervene if any problems arise.  Over the CB radio that each RV carries, the wagon-master points out things of interest as you pass through countryside that is new to you.        

WINNIPEG - With a population of only 650,000 Winnipeg - the Capital of Manitoba - is a very cosmopolitan city.   A cultural cross-roads, French, First Nation People, Ukraine, German, Polish and Italian quarters are all represented.  Among the stops made and guided tours taken is the Museum of Natural History that tells the story of this once raw land and the drama of the people who came here to carve a home out of this wilderness. 

DAUPHIN, THE PAS (PRONOUNCED, "PA"), NORTH LAKE AND THOMPSON - Manitoba is truly big country.  A subtle transition from fertile farmlands to wilderness takes place as you travel north.  Seeing caribou, eagle, bear and an occasional wolf, the October skies are laced by the V-shape formations of migrating geese.   During stops in Dauphin, The Pas, and North Lake you are hosted to everything from mining museums to gourmet dinners.  In the City of Thompson (where the road literally comes to an end) you board an overnight train (with sleeper accommodations) for Churchill on the Hudson Bay.   Arriving the next morning at the Churchill depot, you are met by your tour guide for a day of touring ship wrecks, 19th Century forts, a cargo plane wreck that happened 25 years ago (it’s in very good condition) and the city’s museum.  

CHURCHILL, TUNDRA BUGGIES AND BEYOND - These are huge, motorized, four wheel drive vehicles (built here in Churchill) that take you safely and in comfort out on the tundra among the polar bears.  Tundra buggies are totally self-contained and are heated and have bathrooms.  The driver/ naturalist/ guide serves hot beverages, pastry (baked daily at the Gypsy Bakery in Churchill) and hot soup and sandwiches for lunch.  For the photographer this trip out on the tundra is a once in a lifetime experience for in addition to the polar bears you also see Artic Fox, Snowy Owl, Artic Hare and ptarmigans.

Polar bears can weigh up to 1800 pounds and for a short distance they are faster than a quarter-horse.  Even though they look cute and cuddly they are the ultimate killing machine.  In fact, they eat each other.  Beginning the end of September they begin an annual migration north along the Hudson Bay where they wait near Churchill until the bay freeze over.  Once the bay is frozen they move out on the ice to feed on ring-neck seals until the following June when the cycle starts all over again.  Occasionally one will wander into town where they are trapped and placed in “polar bear jail.” Here they wait until the bay freezes and they can be taken out on the ice and released.  The City of Churchill and their polar bear management program needs to be applauded for having successfully brought about the peaceful coexistence between man and bear.  Happy traveling.