Field trips Women’s outdoor tourism group celebrates two years of adventure By: Janine LeGal Posted: 3:42 PM CDT Friday, Apr. 12, 2024

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/04/2024 (927 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Christie Dawn loves to hug trees and thinks we’d all be better off if we did the same. Two years ago, the artist and entrepreneur started Daytripper, a field trip service for women over 40. Since then, she’s taken van loads of women out to some of the province’s most treasured green spaces to enjoy and appreciate nature.

Whether in FortWhyte, Oak Hammock Marsh, Birds Hill, the Whiteshell, Riding Mountain, Assiniboine Forest, or any city or provincial park, Dawn’s hope is to get people outside smelling fresh air, learning about Manitoba’s natural gems and, yes, maybe even hugging a tree.

“When I’m out on a trip, people’s jaws literally drop. They’re amazed, they’ve never seen anything like it before,” Dawn says of the reaction she sees time and again from grateful fellow travellers, thanking her for reminding them about the impact of being in nature.

While a few of the daytrips include visits to urban tourist spots or rural markets and farms — such as the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden or Lady of the Lake in Brandon — Dawn’s daytrips emphasize time out in nature.

Irmi Stach has been using the service since the venture began and appreciates the variety of opportunities to learn about the province’s natural wonders.

“I’m so glad I found the Daytrippers, since I no longer own a car and was looking for a way to get out of the city,” says Stach, who has been on about a dozen trips so far. “What a great match, Christie does all the driving and I get to see new places and meet new people.”

It’s no secret that spending time outdoors is good for the soul and Dawn has experienced this phenomenon repeatedly on her own and with her travelling companions.

“I know if I’m ailing in any way in my body and my mind and I go outside I’m instantly better,” Dawn says. “It’s almost like a drug, except a healthy one… the more you have of it, the more you want.”

Mireille Perron saw a segment about Daytrippers on the morning news and thought it was a great idea.

“I like to explore Manitoba and usually do it on my own, but thought it would be nice to explore with other women,” says Perron, who has enjoyed several trips with the group, including a journey to Steep Rock. “The trips are never rushed. We enjoyed a picnic on the rocky beach among the cliffs. Then we had time to explore the cliffs and take pictures of the beautiful scenery.”

The adventure also featured a stop for burgers at Gringo Loco’s, a local cafe, and a visits with Odie the resident French-fry-eating parrot and Taco Burrito the French-fry-eating dog. “Christie always knows the best spots with added surprises,” Perron says.

Daytripper will mark its two-year anniversary in June and after 65 trips. Dawn looks forward to more time appreciating the great outdoors.

“The trees, they give us oxygen, right?” she says. “The best way for people to want to take care of nature more is to get out into it.”

While the excursions are kept intentionally small, sustainable growth is a goal.

“I would love for it to continue growing, slowly but steadily,” she says. “I wouldn’t want to have more than a dozen women on each trip.”

The upcoming Daytripper Earth Day event on April 22 is sold out, but for Dawn, every day should be Earth Day.

“We all need to be mindful of how we are treating the Earth,” she says. “If we don’t start respecting it, it’ll wipe itself out.”

Daytrips include excursions for people of all abilities. All are scent- and smoke-free. Trips are scheduled every month and every season throughout the year, including the coldest ones.

“I’m not a fan of winter myself, but the more you get into it, the more you appreciate it,” says Dawn, adding that as long as you’re dressed appropriately, the opportunity to have a great time is always there.

Upcoming day trips include the Mini Manitoba Road Trip, a daytrip full of surprises with stops at several destinations along the way; the Spirit Sands wagon ride in Spruce Woods Provincial Park; and a visit to Steep Rock, taking in spectacular views of limestone cliffs and turquoise waters. Visit rainbowearthcreations.com/daytripper for more information. Contact Dawn at christie@rainbowearthcreations.com or 204-333-0978.