Day 3 Wawa to Thunder Bay

Today was all about hills, curves, trees and water. It even rained for about half an hour. Made the air even more humid.



The road enters at the bottom of the photo and exits at the top left. All day was wiggly plus ups and downs. Lots of 7% grades. Wayne was pretty stressed but he did great.

Some more scenery shots.

We think a forest fire went through this area sometime in the past. It was just outside of White River. All the tall trees were dead sticks and the rest was scrub.

We went out for supper in Thunder Bay. The restaurant (Prospector's Steakhouse) was excellent. I would recommend it highly.

Day 2 Serpent River to Wawa

Wawa's giant goose. There are at least 3 in and around town.


Wayne at work -

and Wayne resting.

Our first view of Lake Superior. It is so vast and such a beautiful shade of blue.

Views along the highway. Up and down - round and round.

Silly totems all around the area.

It's Hot. It's so hot that we didn't stop for lunch. Didn't want to leave Punk in the heat. She's being pretty good - not too mouthy. She is however staying awake almost the whole trip. By the time we stop for the day she is wiped.

Grand Adventure - Day 1

We made to the first stop. Serpent River Campground at Spragge, Ontario. 376 km. Arrived at 4:30pm.

Wayne had a bit of trouble getting the hitch to engage but eventually we were on the road. Only an hour late.

In Sudbury, we met Nancy and Adelmo at a Walmart. Gourmet lunch at McDonald's. With Punk in the trailer we didn't want to take too much time. The company was great and the pictures of little Ava were very cute. Thanks for the bon voyage gifts.

We had supper at a little cafe across the highway. It was yummy.

If I can get pictures to load, this is one on the way to the tire repair place near Katrine.

Must go Wayne wants to walk around park.

Busy Week

We've been very mobile and social the past week.

My Mom was in the hospital with an infection and her birthday was coming up so on Wed. we headed down to Guelph. Great timing as Mom was released that morning. Wayne and I ran a few errands and had a good visit with my parents. Saw Dad's current carvings including a huge beaver destined to live at Kathy's. She's soon going to own her own wooden zoo. Dad just laughs and keeps on carving.

For supper we dined at Davids celebrating Mom's birthday. We were supposed to celebrate at Golf's Steakhouse but just out of the hospital that didn't happen. After lunch the next day we said our goodbyes until next spring (unless Mom and Dad are well enough to visit us in Nanaimo) and headed back north.

Sat. cousins Barb and Don drove down from Sudbury for a visit. We had a good supper of roast beef and coho salmon steaks. Our neighbours Al and Kathy gave us the salmon ready to be popped on the bbq. Al caught the fish at the Queen Charlotte Islands in BC. It was savoured by those of us that like fish. It was wonderful to visit with Barb and Don. We don't get together often enough.

Sunday was another fun day. Kathy (my sister) and her friend Dianne are renting a cottage at Lake of Bays. We met for breakfast at 3 Guys and a Stove. It was fabulous. Then on to Dwight for meat, baked goods (yummy-from Henriettas) and a bottle of wine. Then to the cottage. We lounged on the dock, played with Kate's kayak (I can get in but not out), played cards and had another delicious meal. We were entertained by visits from neighbourhood ducks and deers.

Today Wayne changed a tire that seems to have a slow leak on the trailer. We took it to a shop to be repaired and we are now in Huntsville doing laundry.

Matthew's Visit

Matthew came for the weekend. He hopped on a bus and we picked him up in Huntsville. Sat was absolutely beautiful. We went to see the screaming heads. It is a local must see attraction. Very strange. A local highschool art teacher - now retired - has created a series of cement sculptures. Heads, hands, gargoyles etc. He has an extensive property sprinkled with his unique creations. The public is welcome to wander at will. Apparently the interior of his house is just as interesting as the outside. This property has been featured on the tv show "World's Most Extreme Houses".

After doing the sightseeing thing, we stopped in Burk's Falls for fish and chips at the British Boy Chipstand. It was very good. Ran into Kathy and Al, neighbours at the camp.

Afternoon activities included a boat ride on Doe Lake. Had to overcome a few hiccups first. When we went to get into the boat I notice a yellowish liquid in the bottom of the boat. At first we thought it was some algae or something. But no it was gas. The lake was quite rough last week. Apparently the gas tank was banging against the seat and the quick disconnect lines were knocked off leaking fuel into the boat. Luckily we had a Sham Wow handy. Wayne sopped up the fuel, while Matt and I went to Katrine Marine to refill the gas tank. Eventually all was well and we set off touring Little and Middle Doe Lakes. We ventured out onto Big Doe but it was too rough and we quickly retreated back to Middle Doe. Matthew seemed to enjoy himself.

Back to camp for some liquid refreshment and relaxation. We had a bbq feast for supper and a great fire to finish off the day. It doesn't get any better. Good thing that Saturday was so beautiful as Sunday was very wet. We went into town. Matt needed to get passport photos done so that I could sign them. We started laundry and then Wayne took Matt to catch the train to return to Toronto. We said teary goodbyes (ok I was teary). Most probably we won't see him until next spring.

Partings are hard but adventures are good.

More Pictures

We got new furniture - recliners and sofa that expands to a queen size bed. It is very comfy. Check out Punk - the white princess.

Scenery on the docks at lunch.

Wayne and I at the Cottage Bar and Grill in Huntsville.

Finally Some Pictures

This is our firepit area. It is behind the garden slightly raised from the rest of our lot.

My garden beside the kitchen .

This is a shot of our gazebo. We spend a lot of time here.

Update for Last Week

Life has settled into a routine. We are starting to focus on getting ready for our westward trek. Wayne has checked the spare trailer tire and all the other tire pressures. He has lubricated the slide rails. I am starting to go through the cupboards weaning out things we don't need for the fall and winter.

Erin, Marilyn and Terry Ablett stopped in for a visit on Sunday. They had just dropped off Megan at camp down the lake. I think Megan brings rainy weather. It rained most of last night and is very grey and humid today. If memory serves, it rained almost all of last years campweek. Hope it perks up for her.

We went for a walk this morning. I found a step counter and distance meter. We went almost 1 mile today. Whoo Hoo. Got to increase that. But when humidex is already 34 celcius it's hard to get to ambitious.

Yesterday we went on a back roads wander behind Doe Lake and down around Lake Vernon ending up in Huntsville. We passed by Buck Lake and a little place called Ilfracrombe. There was a beautiful small church in the English Tudor style. I wish I had got a picture. Still not quite geared up to think about this blog thing when I am out and about.

We had lunch on the water at the Cottage Bar and Grill in Huntsville with dessert at the Kawartha dairy. Oh they have such good ice cream.

It was a fun and relaxing day. Oh we also did our laundry while in town.

Next time I promise pictures.