Friday, August 12, 2005
Day 46 – Distance: 120.59 km
Blind River to Whitefish Falls, ON
Well, as wonderful as yesterday was, today was terrible! It rained a soft drizzle the whole day, and the wind was largely in my face, strong enough at times to make flags stand at attention. Traffic on Hwy 17 was fairly heavy all day, especially as I got closer to Sudbury. I was cold and soaked, and ready for my first break with Jean when she arrived around 10:00 a.m. We were going to try to meet at a picnic spot, which unfortunately was closed for repairs due to the small tornado experienced by the area on Tuesday, but ended up resting in the van in a private driveway! (I did see many trees down, including two onto a roof of a home along the way). We arranged to meet again at the Serpent River Trading Post, which I highly recommend to anyone traveling in this area. It’s more of an art gallery than trading post, and I wished I had lots of money so I could break rule #4 (no buying anything other than consumables, or necessities for the trip). Jean also said she came very close to buying herself a new coat after I left– I wish I had been there to encourage her! We met for lunch (rather late by that time) in Massey, about 70 km from my starting point. We lucked into a restaurant which other patrons told me was the best one in the north, the Dragonfly. We relaxed over some hot soup and bruschetta (sp?), and I had to agree. We had enough bruschetta to take along for supper, and the mushroom soup was rich and creamy.
Fortunately at that point, things got quite a lot better. I had heard of a route to Espanola that would take me off Hwy 17 and all those trucks spraying all over me. The road was a bit rough, preventing me from going very fast, but I didn’t mind – the rain had finally petered off, and there was practically no traffic. The scenery was also great – very pastoral. Jean and I met at a Tim Hortons in Espanola, where unfortunately we realized I had left my bright yellow vest back in Massey. I carried on along Hwy 6, while Jean went back for my vest. Hwy 6 was quite hilly, with absolutely no shoulder and lots of road cracks, but at least the weekend traffic was courteous. I got to the cutoff of the road to the campsite we had decided on before Jean, so I stretched while I waited for her. I was glad I had decided to load up the bike before going up the road, as it is incredibly hilly. However, the vistas from the tops of the hills were incredible, and Jean was delighted to recognize the road as one she and David had taken before for a picnic, right at the Bearskin Lodge (Willis Road, Whitefish Falls) where we are. We’re camping on a channel linking two lakes, and the camp owner stays on the other side. We had to ring a bell, and he came over by barge to take our money and give us the washroom key! I also had to go over with him in order to use the pay phone (no service again, as there are too many rocks around). When I got back from the phone, Jean had sherry and supper waiting. Just the thing to warm me up.
This also is a site I would recommend to anyone, especially in the cabins across the channel. We had a loon swim by us at supper time, and his call echoed around all the rocks. Breathtaking! Jean also said I missed a gorgeous sunset while I was showering (rather late tonight). Who’d have thunk it, after all that rain. It’s pitch dark now, but there’s a campfire across the water, and lights reflecting from the cabins. I think it’s time to say good night again.
Blind River to Whitefish Falls, ON
Well, as wonderful as yesterday was, today was terrible! It rained a soft drizzle the whole day, and the wind was largely in my face, strong enough at times to make flags stand at attention. Traffic on Hwy 17 was fairly heavy all day, especially as I got closer to Sudbury. I was cold and soaked, and ready for my first break with Jean when she arrived around 10:00 a.m. We were going to try to meet at a picnic spot, which unfortunately was closed for repairs due to the small tornado experienced by the area on Tuesday, but ended up resting in the van in a private driveway! (I did see many trees down, including two onto a roof of a home along the way). We arranged to meet again at the Serpent River Trading Post, which I highly recommend to anyone traveling in this area. It’s more of an art gallery than trading post, and I wished I had lots of money so I could break rule #4 (no buying anything other than consumables, or necessities for the trip). Jean also said she came very close to buying herself a new coat after I left– I wish I had been there to encourage her! We met for lunch (rather late by that time) in Massey, about 70 km from my starting point. We lucked into a restaurant which other patrons told me was the best one in the north, the Dragonfly. We relaxed over some hot soup and bruschetta (sp?), and I had to agree. We had enough bruschetta to take along for supper, and the mushroom soup was rich and creamy.
Fortunately at that point, things got quite a lot better. I had heard of a route to Espanola that would take me off Hwy 17 and all those trucks spraying all over me. The road was a bit rough, preventing me from going very fast, but I didn’t mind – the rain had finally petered off, and there was practically no traffic. The scenery was also great – very pastoral. Jean and I met at a Tim Hortons in Espanola, where unfortunately we realized I had left my bright yellow vest back in Massey. I carried on along Hwy 6, while Jean went back for my vest. Hwy 6 was quite hilly, with absolutely no shoulder and lots of road cracks, but at least the weekend traffic was courteous. I got to the cutoff of the road to the campsite we had decided on before Jean, so I stretched while I waited for her. I was glad I had decided to load up the bike before going up the road, as it is incredibly hilly. However, the vistas from the tops of the hills were incredible, and Jean was delighted to recognize the road as one she and David had taken before for a picnic, right at the Bearskin Lodge (Willis Road, Whitefish Falls) where we are. We’re camping on a channel linking two lakes, and the camp owner stays on the other side. We had to ring a bell, and he came over by barge to take our money and give us the washroom key! I also had to go over with him in order to use the pay phone (no service again, as there are too many rocks around). When I got back from the phone, Jean had sherry and supper waiting. Just the thing to warm me up.
This also is a site I would recommend to anyone, especially in the cabins across the channel. We had a loon swim by us at supper time, and his call echoed around all the rocks. Breathtaking! Jean also said I missed a gorgeous sunset while I was showering (rather late tonight). Who’d have thunk it, after all that rain. It’s pitch dark now, but there’s a campfire across the water, and lights reflecting from the cabins. I think it’s time to say good night again.
posted by BikingBabe at 1:50 PM
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