Blind River Ontario, July 24th
Blind River Ontario and I’m just as lost as you are, but I do know I’m somewhere on the north shore of Lake Huron. Right now at the Iron Horse Inn which is the reigning champions of the Blind River Dragon Boat races, whatever that is. In case I missed Huron, remember my question about Cleveland, I’ve covered it that now I only have two more lakes to hit, Michigan and Superior. That also had me realize the other day when I thought West Virginia was my last state to cover that I haven’t hit Michigan or North and South Dakota. I know I’ll hit the Dakota’s on my way to Sturgis, remember the big bike rally in South Dakota and wish I could end this journey with the person I started it with, but apparently that ain’t gonna happen, but I’ll at least cover those states on my way to Sturgis and yes, for the first time in as many visits as I’ve made to Sturgis, this year I’ll ride out there.
I was anxious to get going this morning and that’s because I realize I’m on my last leg home and looking forward to getting there…probably for the wrong reason, but some people need closure, such as me and it’ll take me the week to get ready for Sturgis which won’t be a camping or riding experience like I’ve already had along the way. I cannot thank Pete and Coleen enough for their hospitality and this is what it is really all about…meeting people along the way who become good true friends because they are very much like me, willing to give people the benefit of the doubt that they are good people and realize life is too short that having fun is what it’s all about. That’s where Pete and I are trying to figure out what kind of business we can start with Rob since we’re all not working, but the only thing we could come up with at the time was place for battered men…yea, I’d have to see those guys, but I suppose, there are some pretty strong women out there…could use the appropriate term, but you know what I mean. Anyway, the bike trip started meeting Pete and Coleen the first week on the road that I think it only appropriate that my last week on the way home is with them They will always be friends and I look forward to being able to return the favor for their trip to Minnesota, someday soon I hope. It really does make you appreciate what you have as well as the friends and people you meet along the way. I will say that at many points along the way I’ve felt that I walked away from something that is very important to me to do what I needed to, but things are meant to happen for a reason that, because of some of what I’ve gone thru in life, it is too short that there is no reason to be honest and up front with everyone we encounter, even if it’s gonna hurt, cuz honesty is what it’s all about.
Ok, enough and back to today’s events. Well Pete checked the ferry schedule for me, no not those kind of ferry’s and for as late as it is , 3:40 is the time to shoot, just gotta get out of here by 11:00 and the weather should be nice all the way. Time to pack the bike and get showered and ready for the day, but ran out of shaving cream which Pete has so generously donated his bottle for me to finish my trip with. Like he said, and don’t forget Pete, but when he comes to Minnesota, the cream is on me. Well, you can see I got an escort out of town to where it was easy enough to set me free without getting lost, cuz if I miss the 3:40 the next ferry wouldn’t be going out until 8:00 and that won’t work with Pete’s estimate of 3 days to get to Thunder Bay. Tried talking Pete into riding all the way to Minnesota with me and having Coleen fly to Minneapolis or Rapid City to do Sturgis, but maybe some other time. I know they’d get along great with the Sturgis group and who wouldn’t; we’re all out to just have a little fun.
Well, part of this journey is taking a ferry ride and I’ve been on a number of them that going around the great lakes, why not. On the way there, did get spit on that at least put on my rain bottoms, pants, but it wasn’t too bad…so much for having good weather all day. The ferry ride will also give me time to work on my blog which I realize I’m a few days behind, but when you have as much fun with people that I had this last weekend, ya can’t spend all your time writing. I’m a little worried about the ferry ride cuz this is the first time they’ve pointed out ropes and hooks in the floor for us to tie our bikes down to, but hey, I’m a quick learner and if it’ll keep my bike from tipping over, I’m all for it. The other thing I found out was everyone is suppose to get out of their vehicles and move to the passenger level…ok, so if this thing went down I suppose, would you survive better not trying to save you vehicle than going down with the ship…might not be much difference for many, but I know for me, ta’hell with the bike, it’ll be all about me.
Some great scenery along the way of the other beaches which make up the longest fresh water beach in the world, but made it with an hour and a half to spare. These Canadians drive slow for an 80 speed limit, but I guess 80 kph are like my 50 mph…ok, 70 mph is close enough in my book. Got front row parking again, yep, they do the same thing here with bikes; first on and first off, that I better make sure I’m back in plenty of time otherwise I won’t get on. Found a little pub a block away and figured can afford a beer and a little lunch and give me the local special…ok, that’d be white fish so might as well go fish today. Had a great time talking to a local statesman, Tom from Michigan who was doing laundry next door and has a cabin north of here, where they live it rough…no running water or electricity, only propane and one of those buckets full of water to shower under…not exactly my idea of a fun get way. After he left I got to chat with Greg and the gang, yep more hot Canadian’s, Mary, Julia and Martha. They were pretty busy that it was tough getting a picture cuz my time is running out, to get back and load up the bike, but eventually stopped what they were doing for the picture…thanks and the Fish’n’Chips were great. Forgot to mention that Tobermory where the ferry is, is the scuba capital of Canada…like Tom had said, at one time they were drinking the lake water cuz it was clear enough and not as polluted as it’s become…oh, and now you can get bottled water anywhere – do you remember the time when three was no such thing as bottled water? Someone came up with a great idea.
This is a pretty cool ferry with the front opening and closing like it does, but the ride is a rough one and the boat definitely seems to be loaded more to one side than the other…might explain why everyone was walking into the walls. Spent most of my time working on the blogs I need to catch up on, but it didn’t seem like a two hour trip…man how time flies when you’re just having fun. First off, the ferry that is, and had the road all to myself that don’t have to worry about passing the slow Canadians and again, you can see some great scenery riding off the Manitoulin Island, where the ferry dropped me off to get to the mainland hitting rain once again on my way to Espanola. Thought about calling it a night there, but someone at the gas station said it wasn’t too bad toward Saulte Ste Marie which is still 3 hours away and if I’m going to make it to Thunder Bay in three days, better get some miles behind me. Running out of gas again, and wouldn’t you know it, when there’s a sign how far you are from the next town, there’s not gas between, but here, it’s in Kilometers which I know is less than miles, but how much less. Did just hit the gas station as I was running out and another full service station. Oh, and the other thing, remember my trip to Meadville and hitting a gas station without an overhang, well, very few if any in Canada have an overhang, so they’re just as hard to find. Well, talked to the attendant and she told me the next big town is still an hour away, that might as well crash here for the night and checked out 4 different motels until finding one that had a room and internet…it was dial up, but ok, I can get caught up on my blog. Took a trip downtown looking for something to eat and right next to the only bar in town was a little restaurant that I was already half an hour late for their last call, but once the owner heard me, said she’d cook something up for me quick…thanks, needed some food before partying in the bar on a Monday night lost along the North shore of Lake Huron and Colette is going to make sure we party. Tomorrow, more riding if I hope to make Thunder Bay in three days. Lake Huron Pictures.
I was anxious to get going this morning and that’s because I realize I’m on my last leg home and looking forward to getting there…probably for the wrong reason, but some people need closure, such as me and it’ll take me the week to get ready for Sturgis which won’t be a camping or riding experience like I’ve already had along the way. I cannot thank Pete and Coleen enough for their hospitality and this is what it is really all about…meeting people along the way who become good true friends because they are very much like me, willing to give people the benefit of the doubt that they are good people and realize life is too short that having fun is what it’s all about. That’s where Pete and I are trying to figure out what kind of business we can start with Rob since we’re all not working, but the only thing we could come up with at the time was place for battered men…yea, I’d have to see those guys, but I suppose, there are some pretty strong women out there…could use the appropriate term, but you know what I mean. Anyway, the bike trip started meeting Pete and Coleen the first week on the road that I think it only appropriate that my last week on the way home is with them They will always be friends and I look forward to being able to return the favor for their trip to Minnesota, someday soon I hope. It really does make you appreciate what you have as well as the friends and people you meet along the way. I will say that at many points along the way I’ve felt that I walked away from something that is very important to me to do what I needed to, but things are meant to happen for a reason that, because of some of what I’ve gone thru in life, it is too short that there is no reason to be honest and up front with everyone we encounter, even if it’s gonna hurt, cuz honesty is what it’s all about.
Ok, enough and back to today’s events. Well Pete checked the ferry schedule for me, no not those kind of ferry’s and for as late as it is , 3:40 is the time to shoot, just gotta get out of here by 11:00 and the weather should be nice all the way. Time to pack the bike and get showered and ready for the day, but ran out of shaving cream which Pete has so generously donated his bottle for me to finish my trip with. Like he said, and don’t forget Pete, but when he comes to Minnesota, the cream is on me. Well, you can see I got an escort out of town to where it was easy enough to set me free without getting lost, cuz if I miss the 3:40 the next ferry wouldn’t be going out until 8:00 and that won’t work with Pete’s estimate of 3 days to get to Thunder Bay. Tried talking Pete into riding all the way to Minnesota with me and having Coleen fly to Minneapolis or Rapid City to do Sturgis, but maybe some other time. I know they’d get along great with the Sturgis group and who wouldn’t; we’re all out to just have a little fun.
Well, part of this journey is taking a ferry ride and I’ve been on a number of them that going around the great lakes, why not. On the way there, did get spit on that at least put on my rain bottoms, pants, but it wasn’t too bad…so much for having good weather all day. The ferry ride will also give me time to work on my blog which I realize I’m a few days behind, but when you have as much fun with people that I had this last weekend, ya can’t spend all your time writing. I’m a little worried about the ferry ride cuz this is the first time they’ve pointed out ropes and hooks in the floor for us to tie our bikes down to, but hey, I’m a quick learner and if it’ll keep my bike from tipping over, I’m all for it. The other thing I found out was everyone is suppose to get out of their vehicles and move to the passenger level…ok, so if this thing went down I suppose, would you survive better not trying to save you vehicle than going down with the ship…might not be much difference for many, but I know for me, ta’hell with the bike, it’ll be all about me.
Some great scenery along the way of the other beaches which make up the longest fresh water beach in the world, but made it with an hour and a half to spare. These Canadians drive slow for an 80 speed limit, but I guess 80 kph are like my 50 mph…ok, 70 mph is close enough in my book. Got front row parking again, yep, they do the same thing here with bikes; first on and first off, that I better make sure I’m back in plenty of time otherwise I won’t get on. Found a little pub a block away and figured can afford a beer and a little lunch and give me the local special…ok, that’d be white fish so might as well go fish today. Had a great time talking to a local statesman, Tom from Michigan who was doing laundry next door and has a cabin north of here, where they live it rough…no running water or electricity, only propane and one of those buckets full of water to shower under…not exactly my idea of a fun get way. After he left I got to chat with Greg and the gang, yep more hot Canadian’s, Mary, Julia and Martha. They were pretty busy that it was tough getting a picture cuz my time is running out, to get back and load up the bike, but eventually stopped what they were doing for the picture…thanks and the Fish’n’Chips were great. Forgot to mention that Tobermory where the ferry is, is the scuba capital of Canada…like Tom had said, at one time they were drinking the lake water cuz it was clear enough and not as polluted as it’s become…oh, and now you can get bottled water anywhere – do you remember the time when three was no such thing as bottled water? Someone came up with a great idea.
This is a pretty cool ferry with the front opening and closing like it does, but the ride is a rough one and the boat definitely seems to be loaded more to one side than the other…might explain why everyone was walking into the walls. Spent most of my time working on the blogs I need to catch up on, but it didn’t seem like a two hour trip…man how time flies when you’re just having fun. First off, the ferry that is, and had the road all to myself that don’t have to worry about passing the slow Canadians and again, you can see some great scenery riding off the Manitoulin Island, where the ferry dropped me off to get to the mainland hitting rain once again on my way to Espanola. Thought about calling it a night there, but someone at the gas station said it wasn’t too bad toward Saulte Ste Marie which is still 3 hours away and if I’m going to make it to Thunder Bay in three days, better get some miles behind me. Running out of gas again, and wouldn’t you know it, when there’s a sign how far you are from the next town, there’s not gas between, but here, it’s in Kilometers which I know is less than miles, but how much less. Did just hit the gas station as I was running out and another full service station. Oh, and the other thing, remember my trip to Meadville and hitting a gas station without an overhang, well, very few if any in Canada have an overhang, so they’re just as hard to find. Well, talked to the attendant and she told me the next big town is still an hour away, that might as well crash here for the night and checked out 4 different motels until finding one that had a room and internet…it was dial up, but ok, I can get caught up on my blog. Took a trip downtown looking for something to eat and right next to the only bar in town was a little restaurant that I was already half an hour late for their last call, but once the owner heard me, said she’d cook something up for me quick…thanks, needed some food before partying in the bar on a Monday night lost along the North shore of Lake Huron and Colette is going to make sure we party. Tomorrow, more riding if I hope to make Thunder Bay in three days. Lake Huron Pictures.
posted by Dalej Webb at 11:58 PM
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