And Finally . . . . .

Entering Ontario, we drove a few hundred kilometers of road that we’d already been on  – funny how the road and scenery always looks so different when driven in the other direction!  Kapakabeka Falls near Thunder Bay had been a lunch stop in July  – this time we headed for the campsite there and enjoyed our first campfire for many weeks  –  campfires had been banned due to the high risk of wildfires, and quite rightly so.  Ontario, on the other hand, has a much more humid climate than the western provinces, hence small campfires in their designated rings were considered to be safe.

Hwy 17  – part of the Trans Canada Highway – follows the shore of Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, and had been recommended as being a beautiful route to take.  Sadly, the lake and surrounds were covered in thick fog and we spent a nerve wracking two hours driving very carefully, (no cats-eyes in this country – the snow plows would dig them up every winter!)  through steep sided rock cuttings  and negotiating some very sharp bends.  What should have been phenomenal views across the lake were banks of white cotton wool!  Sheer exhaustion and tired eyes (I know, we’re getting old!) meant we stopped at a pull-in for an early lunch followed by a siesta.  Imagine our delight to find that visibility had improved a lot during our sojourn!  Minutes later we had to do an emergency stop when a family of Moose decided to cross the road in front of us – mother and two young ones!  Prayers of gratitude all round!  A)It was lovely to see some wildlife B) Thank goodness they did not cross in front of us in the thick fog!

Stretching 7,821 kilometres across Canada, the Trans Canada Highway goes through some pretty rugged country.  The area through the Canadian Shield is no exception.  This link was finally completed in September of 1960 after twenty years of political wrangling.  Wawa, a mining town (gold and iron) was finally connected to the rest of the country.  A local entrepreneur wanted to encourage tourists to stop in the town, and created a giant Canada Goose statue  (Wawa translates to ‘wild goose’) which towers above the intersection of Hwys 17 and 101.  Interpretation boards in various parts of the town relate stories of local residents and what they’ve contributed to the town – a wonderful way to tell visitors the history.

After two nights in Wawa campground the fog finally lifted and we had a glimpse of Lake Superior on our way south to Sault Ste Marie.

From the ‘Soux’ (as the locals call it) the road turns east and goes a little inland from the shores of Lake Huron through further forests and smaller lakes.  We spent a very comfortable night at Brownlee Lake Resort near Thessalon.  Probably the most peaceful of all the campgrounds we’ve stayed in, our site overlooked an idyllic lake, the only sound been that of a loon or the fut-fut of the odd fishing boat.  No sooner was the campfire alight and wine in hand, than thunder started to roll in the distance!  Half an hour later, we had to retreat inside – heavy rain, very loud claps of thunder and scary lightning flashes kept us awake for hours – but on the positive side, Lulu was given a good wash!

A visit to Lively near Sudbury, provided the perfect opportunity for me to look up an old school friend.  Forty years seemed like ‘just yesterday’ as we reminisced about our childhood days together and caught up on family news.  One last night in Lulu, in Bolton just north of Toronto, and then it was time to do a ‘deep clean’ and hand her back.  After 20,000 km, we were assuming she would be given a rest and a good going over.  All that was going to be done IMMEDIATELY as she was due to go off on more travels within a day or two!  No rest for LULU then, but a long weekend’s rest for us!  Time to savour all those memories whilst enjoying the hot summer weather and the friendly Canadians for just a bit longer!  Will we come back again?  You betcha!!  Yukon and the Northwest Territories are drawing us like a magnet. . . . . . . . .All that being said, we’re so looking forward to our own bed, and to catching up with family and friends.

Thanks for taking this journey with us – see you on the next holiday!