Wednesday's drive was entirely within the boundaries of the province of Ontario, and all along Highway 17. Navigating was simple - I pointed out the front window of the car and said -"go that way". This allowed for lots of viewing of amazing scenery - many trees and uncountable bodies of water. We started the morning with a brief look at the Ottawa River in the town of Deep River. The town has a beautiful little riverside park right next to the town school - I know what room I would request if I worked there! I'd never get anything done... There were also numerous houseboats that looked like a wonderful way to spend the summer months.
It was cool weather and slow enough on the two-lane road that we drove with the sunroof open - our version of a convertible! We also started another Louise Penny mystery audiobook with the Bluetooth - with thirteen hours of listening it should keep us busy for a few days. To begin our list of favorite signs, we saw one that we entitled "Emergency Fries" - a hand-made graphic of french fries 1 km. ahead - just in case you needed them in the middle of complete wilderness with no other signs of life... (we did then see a small (closed) burger van that might occasionally be open........)
We stopped in North Bay for a stretch break and to view Lake Nipissing . One of the town's former mayors had the vision to make the waterfront - which he called the "Golden Mile" - into a beautiful public park. It is complete with amazing flower gardens, local art, and a farmer's market where I purchased some yummy strawberries to have with our lunch, which we munched on while sitting in a picnic area high above the lake.
Dinner at the Pepper Mill in Thessalon was delicious, and then "home" to Carolyn Beach. With our motel room's window open to a sunset view of the shore of Lake Huron - the wind and waves made for very pleasant sleeping.
Thursday dawned clear and sunny - off to Sault Ste. Marie and back to the US. Another gorgeous drive through heavily forested lands. Our favorite sign today was "Echo Bay Ontario - Worth Repeating." While waiting in line at customs at the International Bridge we were able to view with fascination the locks that allow for enormous ships to pass through the canals that are part of the St. Lawrence Seaway and specifically St. Mary's River. Driving a bit west we then stopped at the Pictured Rocks - Hiawatha National Forest. Wonderful! This included a short walk into the Munising Falls, and then a short drive and brief walk to the overlooks at Miners Castle - spectacular. We followed the scenic drive west, and stopped at an easy pullout so that we could walk across the dunes to the sandy beach and put our toes in the water!
Onward to Marquette, Michigan, where we were fortunate enough to have another lakeside room. With the weather absolutely perfect, we walked on the riverfront, toured the town, and had drinks on the hotel patio overlooking Lake Superior. Not too shabby. Of course being the Vermonters we are we turned off the AC and opened the window - love hearing the seagulls and the waves.
Emergency Fries = Spare Banana. No one should be without one, or them. What a great couple of days.
ReplyDeleteSounds like AAA needs to start manufacturing an Essential Travel Foods Kit.
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