Atikokan was a decent resting place for one night and the White Otter Inn was alright - not necessarily worth the amount of money that I paid but the food in the restaurant was really decent and gave me the calories that I needed.
The thing about the distances I've been cycling - well let's be honest it's not because I want to bike 200+ km per day... it's out of necessity as often there really isn't anything in between. So my piece of advice to anyone considering this sort of journey is to ensure that by the time you clear the prairies that cycling more than 175km is a breeze. I'm sure others do it by simply camping at the side of the road... but for a lone traveler I think what I'm doing suits me best.
Anyway, funny story - I mentioned that the road was washed out somewhere for todays journey (actually yesterday). Turns out that a beaver dam had failed... poor beaver - you can just imagine the beaver sitting watching the dam collapse around him and thinking "what did I do wrong"... anyway, that combined with the heaps of rain did cause the road to be washed out... but at the same time it was still passable, in fact the only thing different about it was well there was a patch of gravel.
Arriving in Thunder Bay felt wonderful - glad to be at Lakehead University... caught up with an childhood friend today and also some colleagues from the uni.
Total Distance: 205.1km
Trip Distance: 3361.44km
Side note: tomorrow I will be cycling to Nipigon Ontario - due to the fact that I'm not shaking my cold and needing time to let my muscles recover prior to the bike rally to Montreal I will be catching a lift from Doug (my brother-in-law) and then with my father further south. Just thought I should give everyone a heads up... all is good. I could make it but my legs need a bit of a rest and I need to get well.
Highlights:
- seeing Kakabeka Falls again
- crossing into the Eastern Standard Time Zone
- thinking about the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald... some of you may recognize these lyrics
"The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy."
- seeing Lake Superior and Lakehead University
Fantastic photos...what an experience. Glad that you were able to see Jody as well as some university people you knew. A well-deserved break needed for sure before you push on to the eastern parts of Canada. Safe continued trip.
ReplyDeleteNathan, I am glad to hear that you will be with family soon.
ReplyDeleteTake care of that cold...your body is telling you to get some rest. You deserve it! What is the total of kilometres have you done so far? and counting the mileage you have done in New Zeland?
anxious to see you and hear your traveling stories!!! especially the one you cannot post ;)
I really enjoy the photos too
ReplyDeletewhat a experience !
What an incredible accomplishment my friend - thought you might want to know that Dante passed on on Sunday - he would have been 14 in September and he let me know it was time to help him go peacefully.
ReplyDeleteBe safe.
P.S. Did you go for pancakes at the Hoitto?
Hello Nathan
ReplyDeleteWhere are you now ??? no more cylcing since July 9 ?
Hope you're doing well.
Cheers, Yvon