It was a blisteringly hot August day when I visited the Carol Shields Memorial Labyrinth in Winnipeg. Thank goodness I had the foresight to wear a hat because there isn't a single trace of shade built into this design. The labyrinth is a 7-circuit Cretan one, with walkways of crushed reddish gravel outlined by countersunk brick walls.
The labyrinth's entrance is beautiful and unique -- paired "Quote Walls" of textured and engraved granite displaying various quotations from the works of Carol Shields. Her words form the physical gateway through which you enter to walk the ancient symbol of life's journey.
Prairie grasses, flowers and foliage line large portions of the walls as well. Bees, dragonflies, grasshoppers and Monarch butterflies all accompanied me on my labyrinth walk.
Native plants at the labyrinth include black-eyed Susans, harebells, lambs ear, June grass, sweetgrass and prairie lilies.
There are 3 or 4 benches found in little alcoves along the labyrinth's path in case you want to sit, rest and contemplate. The centre of the labyrinth is marked by raised walls.
It was very quiet in the park on the day I was there. It was easy to listen to the sounds of nature and have a nice meditative walk.
Tomorrow: A Carol Shields Giveaway!
[All photos by Debra She Who Seeks]
it will look lovely when all the plants grow up
ReplyDeleteThat looks incredible. Absolutely gorgeous. I need to see this someday. L
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteI have heard amazing things happen when you walk a labyrinth, I have never walked one but I hope some day to see this one.Amazing,
ReplyDeleteDefinitely time to visit Winnipeg again. That labyrinth looks so Canadian and so tied to the earth and yet obviously something sacred about it too.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I was there with you. How magical. You are lucky.
ReplyDeleteI'm so envious of these beautiful labyrinths you always find. A quick google search says there aren't any labyrinths within a 20 mile radius of me. What gives?
ReplyDeleteThis one especially draws me. The plants? Maybe...don't know. hmmm
ReplyDeleteIt would be lovely to experience this walk. A lot of work and effort was given to remember this great woman.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fantastic memorial! It must be nice to walk it and think to yourself about all it symbolizes!
ReplyDeletetoo cool!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4QImbUVHmk
A very nice setting with an overwhelming sense of calmness that is transmitted even through the photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI could almost feel the heat from these photos. Everything looked hot and dry, but somehow despite the heat the sense of spirit and peace is quite obvious. Really appreciate your sharing of this.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely tribute to her, and sounds like a good place for contemplation.
ReplyDeleteIt has a stark beauty to it and the presence of the butterflies in such a place as this represents hope and rebirth to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely place to walk through, and sit and meditate in. How nice that a place this beautiful has been created for this special woman. I've no doubt that her spirit is all around it.
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool now, I can't image how pretty it will look one the plant are more grown in.
ReplyDeleteThat is very cool!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this. It looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing your walk.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this! I truly want to walk this! It's absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWonder if a labyrinth can be mowed into a field
ReplyDeleteNow I could do a lot of sniffing there, as long as doggies are allowed in!
ReplyDeleteHi Judy -- Yes, it can! The very first labyrinth I ever walked was a large Cretan labyrinth mowed into a prairie hay field. It was wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI so want West to build a maze..maybe even a small one at the nursing home..sigh*
ReplyDeleteI just closed my eyes and tried to listen for the sounds of Nature. I just came back after spending a week at a remote place, and to read about the sounds made me miss the last few days...
ReplyDeleteIf I ever make it to Winnipeg I want to see this. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! I need to add this to the things I want to do before I turn 40 (11 months to go!!). I only live 2 hours away--surely I can swing this!
ReplyDeleteThis is quite stunning. I will definitely visit it next time I'm in Winnipeg.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote walls. How cool.
ReplyDeleteWow. That is lovely! What a fine tribute to the author.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful. And I love those "Quote Walls", never seen anything like it but I really like that a lot.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis might be my favorite. I love the native plants! This looks like serenity.
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