Autumn appeared quickly with the beginning of soft colours and cooler nights as I left Cape Breton, wondering how long it will be before I return again and what new adventures await me.
Leaving about 2 weeks later than expected, "whyknot" began the long journey west. Planning and timing take up a good chunk of my time during my travels, constantly revising my schedule. It is more of a challenge to travel this way than to have a specific itinerary but the rewards are worth it.
So, shall I race across the country to stay ahead of possible snow in northern Ontario or take my time and hope to catch some beautiful autumn colours?
It is impossible to predict and I decided to plan one day at a time.
Stopping in New Glasgow, I was finally able to get my RV serviced and the insurance and registration taken care of. It's difficult to deal with these issues while travelling.
From there back to Pictou to catch up with some friends, often missing the frequent contact with them.
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| Pictou, NS (photo taken a few years ago) |
Another few stops to visit family and friends, then a long journey through northwest Ontario.
The autumn colours are slow to develop this year due to the warm weather but the further north I drove, the better the colours became (along with colder nights). I've always loved northern Ontario with its forests, lakes, and the great Canadian Shield.
After checking the internet, I learned that the Canadian Shield extends much further than I thought, covering eastern and central Canada, from the Great Lakes to the Arctic, an area over 1/2 of our country! It is "a large area of exposed Precambrian igneous and...metamorphic rocks that forms the ancient geological core of the north American continent " ( Wikipedia).
As I drove on, I began to feel ill and stopped at "Six Mile Provincial Park" (south of Parry Sound, Ont and close to Georgian Bay) to rest a few days. Becoming sick while travelling is uncomfortable as well as sometimes frightening. Feeling vulnerable, I was wishing my mother was with me. She always knew what to do!
Luckily , I was in a beautiful park with helpful staff available should I need them.
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| camping at Six Mile Park |
After 3 days of sleeping, reading, and watching movies, I felt strong enough to go on a short hike. I loved climbing over rocks and along the water. Those rocks are ancient; strong and secure.
Before leaving the area, I drove a short distance to see "The Big Chute". It is a marine railway, the only one of its kind still in use in North America. Operating at lock 44 of the Trent-Severn waterway, it carries boats over a 60ft height difference. I just missed 2 boats carried over but was fascinated by the system:
What an ingenious process!
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| The carriage |
My journey continued past Sudbury and to Sault Ste. Marie where I was happy to reunite with my good friend Jan. My timing was perfect since her husband was away and she was ready for some company.
We walked to St Mary's River to watch the freighters travel from Lake Huron to Lake Superior. Across the river we could see Sault St Marie, Michigan. A beautiful bridge crosses the border.
We were hoping to see the lunar eclipse but the clouds were too thick so that was disappointing.
I was in the wrong place for that. Timing is everything!
I did time the fall colours well though. The journey over the top of Lake Superior was scenic and the colours superb in places.
I stopped near Marathon, Ont where I found a campground that was not only open but also honoured Passport America. It was a pleasure to have a shower, get my laundry done, and dump my tanks.
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| Canada Geese at Neys campground |
Love those rocks!
I've been noticing inukshuks on some of rocky areas along the northern route.They were often used in the remote areas of the north to guide travellers.
The next day I continued west, stopping for propane before proceeding to Thunder Bay where I parked in the driveway of some friends there. It was a delight to spend some time with them and to be wined and dined.I usually cook very simply in my RV because of the tiny kitchen. (I also admit I don't enjoy spending much time cooking).
Waking up to a blanket of heavy frost on the ground, I was grateful for the many warm days I had for the past week and with a forecast for more of the same.
Frosty grasses and early morning mist
The next day , Fri Oct 2 , was a very long day of driving.( I remember TGIF while working and now having a hard time keeping track of the days!)
Taking the trans Canada highway west to Fort Frances then #71 north to Kenora , was scenic but also a long, lonely drive with very little traffic and few villages. The fall colours weaved in and out of the landscape. I decided to keep going west to Winnipeg, arriving late and very tired at a Walmart there.
The nice thing about Walmarts is that you can arrive late and just park and sleep.
The next morning it was raining and I noticed my fridge wasn't working. It runs on propane and I checked to make sure it was on. There were no other RV'ers to ask for help. Perhaps I could just buy some ice for now until I get to an RV service place? I decided to see if I could fix it so , on with my rain poncho, I grabbed some tools and went out to the side of my RV where the fridge access was. It was cold and wet and my fingers felt frozen but I managed to remove some covers and tried to light the pilot light which looked like it was out. I remember watching someone light it for me while in NS and it worked!!! That sure felt good.
Gas prices have been creeping up as I travelled north, to $1.39/l then lowered again driving towards Winnipeg where it was $1.09/l. I noticed I get much better mileage when I drive at about 90km/hr although some other drivers hate that, particularly when the road has many curves and no place to pass. I try to pull over when I can.
The countryside changed rapidly, from windy road, forests, lakes, and rocks to flatter land ,less trees, and vast fields of golden grain. The highway became straight and wide with more traffic. The weather became colder with a gentle rain, making all the subtle colours more vivid and I felt like I was driving through a beautiful tapestry at times. Are there 50 shades of orange?
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| Soggy hay bales |
From Winnipeg, it took me 5 hrs driving through softly falling rain to Regina, Sask. Keeping track of time changes was a challenge!
So, here I am in Regina, preparing for my next drive to Medicine Hat, Manitoba ,about 5hrs. Driving so far every day is hard but my timing has been great so far and soon I'll be in the mountains where I want to spend most of my time.
The rain has stopped and
All is Well!!!
"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open."
John Barrymore, actor
"In the hopes of reaching the moon, men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet."
Albert Schweitzer, German theologist
Have a great day!
Maria
whyknotrvmaria@gmail. com
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