Bug Splattered in Thunder Bay

Yesterday's travel 596k

... Back to Menendosa on Canada Day.

Convinced Gib we should walk over to see the bison. The feeding station was wisely positioned near the fence so we had a great opportunity to see them up close. Several calves present. Pictures taken etc.

The enclosure is adjacent to a conservation area so we followed the path along the river to a historical village. Spotted a doe with two young fawns in the underbrush.

Maybe it was the sunny sky, but Grant showed an uncharacteristic desire to hike so we head off into the town to a coffee shop we'd noticed. It was in an old brick store front, the kind of place with 15 ft. ceilings hung with tin embossed ceiling tile. Best part... a couch!

Walked back to our campsite enjoying the back streets of the village, treed with lovingly cared for old stone houses. Found one for sale on the river. Checked the MLS later. The heading was "Fish from your back door". Cost $96,600. If not for the loved ones on the coast....

At dusk, downed our Drambie, doused the fire and took our chairs to the lake to wait for the fireworks. They didn't begin until dusk which was about 10:30, but enjoyed watching beach fires, sparklers and private displays up and down the lake shore as the sun set. Even saw a fire fly, my first since childhood in Ontario. Probably the best Canada Day of my life.

Despite promises from the newspaper and internet weather forecaster, woke up to the sound of rain. This made folding up the tent trailer an unpleasant task. Suited up adding an extra layer of rain gear and headed east. Not so fun really, but the lack of traffic and good roads helped.

The rain let off when we stopped for gas. Gib's bike wouldn't start despite a good kicking and use of profanities.

He pulled off to the side and ever the optimist said, "At least it's not raining!".

Checked wiring, following it back and had to take off all his gear carefully strapped and bungy corded to his bike, remove the seat checking fuses. All good. Then wiring systems and noticed a connection that seemed a bit loose. YES! The vibration must have loosened it. Back on the road.

We had been told about good camping in Falcon Lake just shy of Winnipeg.

Beetled off there after a short riding day of about 320 k.

Found a lovely provincial park beside a huge warm lake and set up. People are curious about us and stop to ask where we're from, where we're going etc.

One young father with a 2 year old son stopped for a chat. The boy had a sit on Grant's bike as we chatted and asked about fire wood etc. Seemed we'd missed the firewood truck. About 5 minutes later the young man re-appeared with a box of wood, kindling and some cardboard etc. Grant and I were able to continue our tradition of ending the day by reading until the light went then enjoying the fire sipping our drambuie from a plastic mug.

A neighbouring camper with a lovely kindly face came over with more firewood, wonderful boards that burned bright and hot enough we had to move our chairs back. We take our sheepskin pads from our bikes and place them on our folding chairs and they're quite comfortable. The kind gentleman was a retired teacher and seemed delighted about our "trip of a lifetime". He came back over in the morning to say goodbye extending a pale blue melamine bowl holding some freshly washed ripe strawberries. One big one and 2 little ones so it was fair and there'd be no fighting. They were juicy and sweet and I was so touched by his kindness I asked for a hug. Bet he'd been a great teacher!

No showers in sight and feeling grubby, set off early to find the beach. Met a particularly chatty 60 something fellow biker camped by the path. He had a fully decked out older Harley touring model and was tenting it.

He had a bit of Portman (my bro-in-law) in him. Portman is enthused by life and not afraid to show it. The biker's eyes were full of life and he shared that we was headed to the Maritimes too. It was a trip he'd done several times and was full of advice about what not to miss. He got pretty excited describing the roads and villages, a church somewhere with carved faces at every corner of every window. Made my escape as I knew Grant wanted to get on the road. Found the beach, but also discovered a path bordering the lake that headed back to the campsite. Noticed a rock shelf not far from "home" so returned later in my suit.

Oh, how I wished I was brave enough to skinny dip on this glorious morning in the warm sun-dappled water with just a duck or 2 for company. Still, didn't want to risk traumatizing a child, so kept my suit on and stepped into the water. Silly jilly, didn't think about the possibility of algae. Found myself shooting down towards deeper water no doubt full of huge pike like the ones in the tourist brochure, ready to strike out at my fleshy white thighs.

Managed to grab a rock as I shot by and enjoy a quiet bathe before the struggle to climb back out.

Told Gib about the biker and suggested he was worth the price of admission. Off he went, gone for an hour or so, but returning with lots of info about what to see and what not to miss.

We were only about 30 k from the Ontario border. Stopped at the You Are Entering... sign for a pic. There was an info center there and had a chance meeting with a couple, Laurie & Neol from Dawson Creek on 2 Shadows, also headed for the Maritimes. Seems we're in agreement on road speed... moderate. Noel said his grandad had a quote. "There's old cowboys and bold cowboys. But no such thing as an old, bold cowboy." Good one

Bike travel in Manitoba not as agreeable. The old Hwy 1 we were on yesterday is beat up and scarred. Guess it's the construction method, but there are regular bumps every 6 feet. The constant da-dump, da-dump is like chinese water torture.

The shoulder is gravel and not inviting on 2 wheels.

Ontario roads have been great. I know I thought I wanted to live in Mennedosa, but Kenora area is even better. Lakes everywhere with rock islands sporting a tree or 2, just like in the Group of Seven.

Highways are beautiful with paved shoulders, double yellow through the areas with poor visibility, regular passing lanes. Turns sweep rather than twist so it's an easy ride with lots to see. Truckers have been great, keeping over in their lane and giving us the right of way.

Lots of signs warning "Night Danger" with pics of deer. Thought it read "Night Dancer" at first. Deer changed to moose and I was hoping I'd see one, and did. A cow off to the left up to her knees in water chowing down on Bullrushes. Slowed right down, but not too slow due to uncertainties about moose behaviour. She looked up with dripping mouth and moved off to the woods.

Led most of the way today. Straight east so no need of the GPS. Grant is most considerate in every way & this is a good example. Being in the lead lets me make the decision about when I need to stop. Proud of the distance we travelled. As a treat we got a hotel room with a BATHTUB!

Woken up at 3:30am by a bus load of loud people. The rooms are on the second floor and as there's no elevator, I can only think they were shouting encouragement to those carrying the luggage up the stairs then back and forth between rooms. Took forever for them to settle. Angrily noted Grant immediately fell asleep again. Gave him several kicks in retaliation.

Woke up feeling tired and grumpy. Grant has gone off to wash the bugs off the bikes. He said he's hoping the nice Jill will be here he returns. I'll try.

Went down for the free breakie, feeling more human.

Heading out to see the Terry Fox Memorial before we leave Tunder Bay (practicing for Newfoundland).