Playing the hits: How to build the perfect Clear Lake Country summer setlist

Posted June 10, 2022 | Author Joey Traa

A trip to Clear Lake Country in Riding Mountain National Park is a lot like going to see Pearl Jam in concert.

Before you poke holes in my analogy (and I’m sure there will be holes), let me explain.

If you haven’t met a true Pearl Jam fan here’s a quick rundown: The legendary rock band has been producing critically acclaimed and culturally beloved albums for decades, even up until 2020. They’re known for many things, but perhaps most notably they are known for their extremely loyal fanbase. If you’re a Pearl Jam fan, you’ve likely been to dozens of their shows, own a closet full of merch, and have a playlist on your phone called “Yacht Rock”.

What’s somewhat unique about Pearl Jam, and the reason fans travel far and wide to see them live over and over again, is that the set lists are different at every single show. At a Pearl Jam concert, yes, they’re going to play the hits, but other than that, you really don’t know what you’re going to get. But with a band like Pearl Jam who produces captivating new music even thirty years after their inception, what you do know is that whatever setlist they come up with, it’s going to be a blast.

A trip to Clear Lake is a lot like that. I’ve been going to Clear Lake with my family for over thirty years, and although every time I go, I inevitably play some the hits, there’s always a new experience or new place to explore that makes each trip a little different, and a little special. So, in the spirit of Pearl Jam, here’s my attempt to create a perfectly unique set list for your next trip to Clear Lake Country.

Every great setlist starts with some hits to get the crowd going. For me, there’s no greater Clear Lake Country hit than the cinnamon buns at Whitehouse Bakery. Frankly, there is no food I’d rather eat at any given moment than a fresh, warm, maple cinnamon bun from Whitehouse. This bun is not just a food, it’s a feeling.

One of my earliest memories as a kid is waking up at the crack of dawn with my dad and walking down the back lane towards the bakery to pick up cinnamon buns for the family, with the smell of fresh baked goods wafting through the open vents as you got closer and closer to your first bun of the year. Every year when we booked our week at Clear Lake, my anticipation for the dates circled on our calendar started with the anticipation for that cinnamon bun. That feeling. That recurring memory. As much as Clear Lake offers new experiences and new traditions, every one of my set lists begin with Whitehouse.

Classic #2: TR McKoys

For me, a trip to Clear Lake Country isn’t complete without a pizza from TR McKoys. When I was a kid, TR McKoys was the fanciest restaurant I’d ever seen, and today I can see it for what is really is: a classic family dining ambience in cabin country, where fancy meets informal, combined with Italian food that will knock your socks off. While I’m obsessed with their pizza, my wife routinely orders the sweet chilli curry penne in what has become an adopted tradition of her own. Pro tip: Split some calamari as an appetizer – it’s a gamechanger.

Classic #3: 1929

While Lakehouse has been around for quite a few years already, in a place with as rich of a history as Clear Lake I suppose it’s all relative. In only a handful of summers, Lakehouse has established itself as a fan-favourite amongst the loyal tradition-filled Clear Lake faithful both for its food and its lodging. The Lakehouse menu is stacked with creative, modern cuisine that is best enjoyed in the sunshine on their patio. My go-to is the chicken wings, which I saw scattered amongst the many occupied tables both inside and outside the restaurant. Another crowd-pleaser is the Slow Burn Burger, which is topped with spicy peanut sauce, grilled pineapple, smoked cheddar cheese and bacon.

Shopping

I’m not sure how I didn’t get the memo, but from right when it opens at 10am the place is already bustling with patrons, coffee drinkers, and shoppers exploring everything it has to offer. There’s quite the community feel in Poor Michael’s, with friendly staff who get to know you, follow up with you, and seem to be genuinely delighted that you’re enjoying their shop.

While we came for the shopping (and took home this delightful little Chewbacca marionette), we stayed for breakfast and some of the best coffee I’ve had all year. When ordering the pecan tart, I was asked if I would like some ice cream on top. After responding that I felt it was too early for ice cream, the very wise owner reminded me that “it’s all milk anyway” which was really all I needed to hear. The ice cream, and the tart, truly hit the spot.

In a region known for its golf courses, the Poplar Ridge Golf Course in Onanole stands out as one of the most enjoyable courses I’ve played at in a while. Poplar Ridge’s strength is in its variety, as every hole is different, featuring difficult dog legs and scenic hazards, while still being an accessible and beautiful course for players of all skill levels. The course is in great condition this season and I’d highly recommend checking it out or adding it to your Manitoba golf course bucket list.

Ending on a high note: eBikes!

In the spirit of trying something new, we rented eBikes from the Clear Lake Marina and it was truly a highlight of the weekend. This was our first time on eBikes, and it was the perfect blend of leisure and adrenaline that I needed to wake me up before driving home after a jam-packed Clear Lake weekend.

These things are incredible, not only making the steepest climbs up a hill feel effortless, but also proving to be capable of moving much faster than I ever expected throughout the many winding Riding Mountain bike trials. While the boost from the eBikes may have made the ride less of a workout, we spent about an hour straight of laughing at how much fun it was, so I count that as an ab workout at the very least.