June 11, 2014
I completed another province and entered the behemoth that is norther Ontario. It could easily swallow a couple of other provinces, especially those in the maritimes, and still have room for dessert…maybe making eyes at a few New England states. I’ve mentally begun breaking up the next few weeks into more manageable destinations I want to reach. The next node is Thunder Bay. Getting to Kenora was my motivation for today as I recalled it being a lovely vacation town nestled among the lakes. Little things keep you going. On the way I most certainly entered the Canadian Shield as the hills and lakes now come thick and fierce. As for the inukshuks, no photo worthy ones yet but I promise some in the near future.
Another province bit the dusk today when I entered Ontario as I already mentioned. At many of these markers, you can clearly see tire markings from previous cyclists who’ve stop to document their achievements. This particular sign actually had a worn out path leading up to it! Previous cyclists and I assume others have left their marks on the posts. I noticed a few for cross country tours for this year. It inspired an instance feeling of kinship. As neat as the posts were, I think there should be way stations where we could leave messages for each other. Taking the picture, I was reminded again of the difference between actually being here and seeing many pictures of the exact spot in others blogs from years past. The imagination and dreaming of the trip was so thrilling, I have to remind myself from time to time that I’m actually on that trip now. The minutiae of cycling from day to day threaten to obscure the larger awesome factor of the trip. Yes, I really am on this trip!
Road Report: 107km
Once the highways becomes singe lane each direction, there is a beautiful, blessed shoulder. I could have gotten off my bike and kissed the ground but for the fact I know it will end in a few days. Unfortunately, the hills are also beginning though they’re small and rolling at this point, a gentle premonition of what’s to come.
