Sunday, August 14, 2005
Day 48 – Distance: 112.41
Tobermory to Owen Sound, ON
Since I ended yesterday’s blog at the ferry, I’ll let you know a bit about the Harbourside Motel. The situation was beautiful, with a lawn and chairs right outside our room looking over the harbour filled with big sail and motor yachts. The room was somewhat “dated”, and not even shampoo was included in the rather exorbitant price, but the second double bed was set into an alcove, so we each felt we had some privacy, not that we felt we needed it. We sat out on the lawn and drank sherry, and wondered how the rest of the world was faring.
Sunday morning dawned bright and favourable; I started it out with a cold shower (the control was out of kilter, and I couldn’t get warm water – Jean later was successful, fortunately). Jean was supposed to be having a restful morning, but got up anyway and made sure I got some food to eat before departing. Highway 6 has no shoulder, but traffic was very light, especially at first, and the wind was in my back. I arrived at Ferndale in good time, and had a delightful time over a coffee and blueberry muffin chatting with the owner of The Crossroads Café, who has had many a cyclist pass through his door, including the Sea to Sea group a few days earlier.
By this time traffic on Hwy 6 was getting a little heavier, and I was happy to be able to take the road to Lion’s Head, and then south to Wiarton. This road proved absolutely delightful, with hardly any traffic, and the kind of biking conditions I am used to training in. I felt on top of the world. Jean was planning to meet me in Wiarton, but discovered a great picnic spot about a kilometer out of town, right on Georgian Bay, with a swim area and picnic table. She flagged me down, and I was able to enjoy a great lunch followed by a swim. I was very glad to have cooled down when I saw the hill waiting for me before getting back onto Hwy 6! All in a day’s work, however. Soon after Wiarton, I cut off onto to the road toward Kemble, as suggested by the Knapps, and again had a super biking road to follow. When I was almost into Owen Sound, I was met by Riejanne and her husband, Anton, and a short while later, by Bob Knapp. After a tour of Riejanne’s beautiful gardens, we headed over to Bob and Marie’s house, where they were waiting with their daughter Melanie, and Jean. We had a great reunion; Jean left for Orillia shortly before supper, and then Paula Harron (from my January retreat group) came over with her husband and family. We had a delightful time swimming in the pond, and, after supper, walking through the trails and riding the “zipline” that Bob has constructed in their back property.
When Marie asked what the highlight of the trip was so far, I replied “being here”. It was so good to be that close to home and family, knowing that I would be seeing them in just a couple of days. All the organizing and planning was finally coming to fruition. Marie and Bob were great hosts, with Bob’s knowledge of the biking around the area (and all sorts of other things), and Marie’s words of wisdom to guide me. When I had been preparing for the trip, I had felt quite “scattered” as some of you will remember, and I emailed Marie for some of her guidance, which she sent, and which I printed out to read along the way when I needed. Yes, one day at a time!
Tobermory to Owen Sound, ON
Since I ended yesterday’s blog at the ferry, I’ll let you know a bit about the Harbourside Motel. The situation was beautiful, with a lawn and chairs right outside our room looking over the harbour filled with big sail and motor yachts. The room was somewhat “dated”, and not even shampoo was included in the rather exorbitant price, but the second double bed was set into an alcove, so we each felt we had some privacy, not that we felt we needed it. We sat out on the lawn and drank sherry, and wondered how the rest of the world was faring.
Sunday morning dawned bright and favourable; I started it out with a cold shower (the control was out of kilter, and I couldn’t get warm water – Jean later was successful, fortunately). Jean was supposed to be having a restful morning, but got up anyway and made sure I got some food to eat before departing. Highway 6 has no shoulder, but traffic was very light, especially at first, and the wind was in my back. I arrived at Ferndale in good time, and had a delightful time over a coffee and blueberry muffin chatting with the owner of The Crossroads Café, who has had many a cyclist pass through his door, including the Sea to Sea group a few days earlier.
By this time traffic on Hwy 6 was getting a little heavier, and I was happy to be able to take the road to Lion’s Head, and then south to Wiarton. This road proved absolutely delightful, with hardly any traffic, and the kind of biking conditions I am used to training in. I felt on top of the world. Jean was planning to meet me in Wiarton, but discovered a great picnic spot about a kilometer out of town, right on Georgian Bay, with a swim area and picnic table. She flagged me down, and I was able to enjoy a great lunch followed by a swim. I was very glad to have cooled down when I saw the hill waiting for me before getting back onto Hwy 6! All in a day’s work, however. Soon after Wiarton, I cut off onto to the road toward Kemble, as suggested by the Knapps, and again had a super biking road to follow. When I was almost into Owen Sound, I was met by Riejanne and her husband, Anton, and a short while later, by Bob Knapp. After a tour of Riejanne’s beautiful gardens, we headed over to Bob and Marie’s house, where they were waiting with their daughter Melanie, and Jean. We had a great reunion; Jean left for Orillia shortly before supper, and then Paula Harron (from my January retreat group) came over with her husband and family. We had a delightful time swimming in the pond, and, after supper, walking through the trails and riding the “zipline” that Bob has constructed in their back property.
When Marie asked what the highlight of the trip was so far, I replied “being here”. It was so good to be that close to home and family, knowing that I would be seeing them in just a couple of days. All the organizing and planning was finally coming to fruition. Marie and Bob were great hosts, with Bob’s knowledge of the biking around the area (and all sorts of other things), and Marie’s words of wisdom to guide me. When I had been preparing for the trip, I had felt quite “scattered” as some of you will remember, and I emailed Marie for some of her guidance, which she sent, and which I printed out to read along the way when I needed. Yes, one day at a time!
posted by BikingBabe at 12:35 PM
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