Robert Frost wrote about two paths diverting in a yellow wood and how taking the Road Less Travelled made all the difference. He could have been speaking about Inwood and Komarno, two communities in Manitoba’s Interlake. They certainly are off the beaten path. The two communities neares them are Teulon and Fisher Branch, the latter being not much larger than either.
Inwood may be a hamlet so small that it seems insignificant, located well off the the beaten path. The main Interlake highway (#7) is several kilometers away, as are any sizeable shopping areas, yet the two hamlets are possibly the most unique places in the area. Known for several things most people would find unattractive—snakes, marshes and rock quarries—Inwood still offers lots. Similarly, nearby Komarno.
Being Off the Beaten Path Allows Uniqueness.
Mostly, being off the beaten path offers uniqueness for both centres.
The world-famous Narcisse Snake Dens are nearby, with their plethora of non-venomous, harmless red-sided garter snakes. Inwood has its own snake dens, too. These little wonders are so plentiful that the town erected fences along the roadways to keep them from being killed by passing cars. If fences are not odd enough for snakes, the seniors lodge in town routinely experiences an influx of snakes in the autumn, seeking to escape winter’s cold.
Just down the highway from Inwood is Komarno, which brags about its mosquito population. While statues to odd things are common in Manitoba, Komarno celebrates with the largest mosquito monument. Or is it just life-sized?
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Then there is the Inwood limestone quarry, abandoned and once explored as a possible tourist site, where locals often go to swim or off-road, but where the rock outcrops are perfect for holding “rock festivals.”
Not far away, three swamps are optimistically called East, West and North Shoal Lakes, but the expanse of marshes that constitute these lakes is a haven (in fact, a game preserve) for thousands of migrating Canada geese and assortment of ducks.
Small Communities Thinking Big
In town, a small grocery store, restaurant and post office constitute most of the retail offerings, but the old Inwood School, purchased by locals from the government, still hopes to establish itself as a commercial centre.
But for a small hamlet, it likes to think big. At the entrance to the town, you will find the world’s largest statue of garter snakes. The residents like to brag about their snakes, after all.
Only a handful of kilometers to the east, an even smaller hamlet, Komarno, goes even bigger with a smaller example of wildlife. It has the world’s largest mosquito statue. If experience is a judge, it also has the world’s largest mosquitoes in summer.
Visit Komarno, Shoal Lakes and Inwood for the snakes, swamps and bugs. But stop to visit to enjoy true Interlake friendliness.
Points of Interest, Things to Do
In Inwood, a group of locals purchased the old school to save it from demolition, banding together to launch local business. Across from the school, Rosie’s Restaurant offers a true country diner experience. North of the town, the Inwood Golf Course sees golfers from around the province. Three kilometers north of the town, the old quarry is home to almost as many snakes as Narcisse. And in Komarno, a giant mosquito statue brags of the proliferation of mosquitoes in the area. Lastly, the old Prime Meridian Trail still remains for hikers and ATVs