North America, First and Second.

[DavidS]

Not sure if you’re heading to Niagara but, having walked across to the American side today, my god it was worth the knackered feet. A totally different perspective and the Cave of the Winds drenching was superb. Excellent State Park to walk around and great views of the falls.

[OnHellas]

The bikes seemed to get a clean bill of health after their services, although the service receptionist didn’t want to talk about it and just took the money.
I managed to get a look at the mechanics scribblings on the work sheet and there wasn’t any bad news......so off we went.

From Saskatoon to Yorkton, Yorkton to Portage La Prairie and from Portage La Prairie to here. Here is....I can’t remember, I’ll have to have a quick look.
Dryden, here is Dryden.
We’ve ended up staying in what feels like an Hostel for First Nation people. The car park was full when we arrived, the lady that owns the place was very very nice and the room is comfortable and clean.
Hopefully the bikes are still present and intact when we get out there in an hour or so.

The ride across the Prairies hasn’t been a photo fest so that explains the distinct lack of any. I did get a sunset picture last night though....read the rest of this drivel and it’ll be there.

The last few days has been more of “let’s do some miles” than a constant series of Wows! but it’s still been enjoyable.
Mile after mile of farm crops turned in to fir trees and lakes at some point along the way yesterday. We saw a Coyote trot across the road. No ACME equipment that I could see....

There hasn’t been as many bikes on the road and people are talking of the Fall. Summer is over and the next season awaits. There have certainly been some long stretches between places and fuel is definitely something that needs thinking about. Today we have another 210 miles planned. I’m sure to tell you how it went at some point.

Two happy people, two happy bikes.

[OnHellas]

Just over the road from the Hostel is this fume belching power station!!!!!

Actually it’s a paper mill but for the story power station sounds better.

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[DavidS]

It was Labour Day last Monday and Canada seems to shut down after that.
Loads of worthwhile touristy things in Ontario are closed for winter but the upside is absolutely deserted roads.

[OnHellas]

So the bikes were still there this morning, none of the slightly dodgy people hanging around had been interested. They were just doing their thing.
I on the other hand worry about theft and vandalism sometimes. It’s just how I am.

I forgot to mention that at some point during the ride yesterday we passed the halfway across Canada line. The flags and monument type thing was in the other side of the dual carriageway so we didn’t get a picture.

The day today went nicely. More rosing and descending on the Trans Canadian Highway, through trees and passed lakes.
We saw a dear today. It crossed in front of us, luckily in a 60km/h zone and we do stick to the limits or there abouts so no drama.
We also saw a bald eagle feeding on some poor furry thing that had obviously met its end at the hands of a vehicle. Still, one creatures loss is another gain.

We are now at Thunder Bay which is on the shores of Lake Superior. We’re not very far from the US border although the plan is to stay in this side all the way to Halifax.
The temperature today wasn’t to bad but another 2 or 3 degrees would really make things just a little bit more comfortable.
We had a bit of a wander around earlier. Considering it’s meant to be a city of 109,000 people there was hardly anyone around. It is Sunday evening though.
I actually took a few photos too.

Tomorrow we have a bit of a longer day planned. The road follows the lake shore which may be nice.

Two happy people, two happy bikes.

[OnHellas]

Lake Superior.

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[OnHellas]

A bit dark I know but it’s the old courthouse. Quite a nice building and now an hotel. A treat after the hostel type place and various low end motels.
Still no hooks in the bathroom or socket for next to the bed for phone charging though!!

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[DavidS]

Looks like you’re making good progress. Nova Scotia took a bit of a hurricane hit but it seems to have gone through now.
Getting closer together. We’re at the other end of Lake Superior on Wednesday night at Sault St. Marie then turn east towards Tremblant.
Forecast isn’t great for a few days after tomorrow so get the waterproofs on.
Biggest wildlife today was some squashed skunk and porcupine (our best guess) and two scurrying ground squirrels plus a frog hopping up the middle of a back end of nowhere road. And we hit a big pigeon that failed to take off quickly enough.
We presume the birds of the day, or the trip so far, are Turkey Vultures, cruising overhead wherever you look.

[OnHellas]

The ride to Wawa was just a shade under 300 miles which is, as I said a post or two ago, longer than we normally ride.
As we’d entered a new time zone just before arriving in Thunder Bay our clocks had been moved another hour forward. Another hour towards UK time.
The autumnal feel in the air was measeured as 8 degrees when we headed out about fifteen minutes before 10 o’clock.
Once out of town, which took two turns, the TomTom told me that it was 295 miles on The Trans Canadian Highway to the next stop.
Wawa. Another great place name and a word that sounds funnier to me the more I say it. Hence I said it out loud lots of times to myself. The in helmet entertainment for the day.
We had a nice curvy section that saw bend after bend for a good way and without any other vehicles going our way to interrupt.
We also had a few construction zones to ride through and a few stops. Views, lunch, tea and wee amongst them.

Today we had a day off. Today is Tuesday and the weather forecast that said that it would rain all day was spot on. A great day to be inside and not riding the bikes.

Talking if the bikes, due to all of the rain the ground got soft, despite being compacted gravel.
The sidestands sank a bit and the slack in the chain locking them together disappeared. Luckily I noticed when I looked out to see if the bikes were still there.
The plastic side stand pucks were sought out and in to the rain I went to sort it all out.....oh the stress of the long distance motorcycle traveller!!!

Never mind, no harm done....

Two happy people, two happy bikes.

[OnHellas]

Lake Superior views.

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