September 4-6, 2016 –
Days 16-18
Guess it is official – summer is over! Labor Weekend is here
and celebrated in a big way here in Canada. Left Winnipeg and headed about 250
miles to Dryden Ontario. Our Trans Canadian Highway 1 has turned into Hwy 17
East at the Ontario boarder. We traveled with very light traffic; some drizzle
and rain off and on during the day. Moose Watch was still in effect – the
roadside had many promising looking pastures and ponds, but neither Mike nor I
could positively identify any sightings. We did however both see a grey wolf. He
trotted across the road in front of us, seeming to not even notice us a few
yards away. The roadside scenery was pleasant, lots of green vegetation, and
outcroppings of granite along the roadsides. Many crazy folks appeared to have
stopped along the way to place pieces of granite on top of each other, leaving
rock stacks for us to enjoy. A lot of the granite was pink – like we had seen
in Maine a few years ago. The theme of most of the ride was LAKES – seemingly
100s of them small, medium and large, almost the entire drive today.
On this 2016 Labor Day, Thunder Bay, Ontario was the next
destination on our itinerary. We again drove on wet roads, but the holiday
traffic was light and the roads were good. The speed limit was reduced to 90 K
(aobut 55 mph) from our earlier 110 K (65mph) HWY 1, but with the rain it was
reasonable. We had some good news at our
last fuel stop – topped 9.5 MPG – know that doesn’t sound great, BUT we
generally run 8-8.5. Karen’s math skills were put to the test converting liters
to gallons, and Canadian dollars to US. Scared Mike with one of my figures, but
finally got it right.
After reaching our KOA Campground the drizzle stopped and we were able to enjoy
an afternoon beverage outside.
Tuesday, 9/6/16 - Awoke to gray and MUGGY weather – phew the
humidex quotient must of been near 100%, we are so spoiled, don’t often have
this kind of sticky weather! Took the little Prius into Thunder Bay to see the
sights…. So foggy that we couldn’t see much of Lake Superior or much of
anything. Not sure what we missed, but drove through the downtown and still
didn’t see much of anything that looked like the promised “POINTS OF INTEREST”.
After returning to camp and doing a bit
of catching up on housekeeping projects – the sun came out, the fog went away
and the humidly seemed to drop too. We headed back out and saw some interesting
locations. The Terry Fox Memorial was located up on a bluff over looking Lake
Superior (we could see it). Terry Fox had cancer as an 18 year old, had to
have his leg amputated. In an effort to give to other cancer patients Terry
inspired Canada with his dream – his MARATHAN OF HOPE – a cross Canada run to
raise money for cancer research. Terry from British Columbia knew only too well
the ravages of cancer was determined not to leave this world before a cure had
been found. The planned 5,300 mile run across Canada, began April 12, 1980 in
Newfoundland. Running 26 miles a day, Terry conquered 5 provinces by the time
he reached Ontario in June. At mile 3,339, near Thunder Bay, Ontario,
reoccurring cancer forced him to give up his run. Terry inspired an entire
generation of Canadians with his determination and devotion. Through his
strength and determination this monument was created in his memory.
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