More Sambuca Please

Sucking back another Sambuca I will have a stab at blogging. White River seems so long ago (two whole days). Throughout the day from White River we kept getting a good feeling about the weather. The trip to Thunder Bay, another 450+ km. day, still afforded us plenty of looks over Lake Superior. The lake often is like looking at the ocean it's so big. Charming little towns like Terrace Bay, Nipigon and others are a pleasure to pass through. At our fuel stop in Nipigon we met a rider coming the other way on a Harley Dyna who was wearing is yellow rain gear. He says every time he takes it off it rains. At this point we are not wearing any rain gear as we are optimistic. As we near Thunder Bay there are some dark clouds in the sky. Checking in at the tourist info centre at the Terry Fox Memorial we learned that there was a chance of showers during the night. Examining our options of campsites farther on, motels farther on and motels in Thunder Bay we decided to go to the Econo Lodge that we stayed at before. Staying here offers us an opportunity to do some laundry and get out for an evening. We decide to use the bus and go down to the SilverCity Cineplex. There we pre-bought our tickets and went across the street to Shoppers Drugs. Jill is able to replace some of her lost make-up. We go back to the theatre and see 'The Proposal'. Both of us really enjoyed the show. Feeling energetic after we decide to take the half hour walk back to the lodge. There was some showers early in the evening but it turned out to be a pretty good night.

Wednesday morning we rose and enjoyed the continental breakfast at the hotel. Under sunny skies we headed to Super Store and stocked up on food for camping. Some discussion brought us to the decision rather than continue on the route that we had already travelled we would take Hwy 11 and go through Fort Frances and up through Lake of the Woods area. At Kakabeka Falls we turned onto #11. The road is still a very nice road to ride. We enjoy little lakes along the roadside and spy what looks like an osprey nest high up in a power transmission tower. Looking at the power lines that cross this country it gives one to wonder about the monumental task and years of work bringing electricity to all the homes across the country.

This route has no stops and gas stations along the way and by the time we approach Atikokan we are both on reserve. As we turn off the highway for the town we can see that just ahead there is road construction and it looks like gravel. At the gas station in Atikokan we learn that the construction is about 10 kms and is all gravel. However there is an alternate way from town. Up #622 and meet Hwy 17 just east of Dryden. Of course we chose this path. It too will be void of gas stations and we will both be on or near reserve to make it. For such a secondary highway it is very nice to drive. The speed limit is a little lower and the drive is very relaxing. Traffic is lighter than light. We pass few cars coming our way and experience none going our way. At least until we pull over about 16 km. from #17 to put on rain gear. The sky has taken a turn for the worse. One car passes us and even stops to check if we are ok. Once we are suited up the showers stop. But this would not last. We turned onto Hwy. 17 and head towards Dryden. About 20 k outside of Dryden the rain comes. It came hard along with some heavy winds. The last 10 k into town were challenging. Rather than go for fuel I turned into the first motel that I saw. Jill's first words were "I've had it with the rain'. Once checked in we discover that we are in a room right next to the couple from Niagara that we met in Blind River. It is a very small wet world. Perhaps we will order in Chinese.