Map Link:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Sault+Ste.+Marie,+ON&daddr=44.51006,-79.09555+to:West+Hill,+Toronto,+Ontario&hl=en&ll=44.6413,-80.293579&spn=2.247305,3.532104&sll=45.135555,-81.782227&sspn=4.456018,7.064209&geocode=FdUKxgId0Ov4-il7jIEIFTE2TTHNIdsTtQ5bxQ%3BFWwrpwIdAhlJ-ynN-D5ngkzVTDG4PMxFa3N-Dw%3BFQ3YmwId-F9H-ymJfPMxUNrUiTFMZ-fgGkTIvA&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=7&via=1&z=8
This is the part of the journey were Peter & I go separate ways. He is going around Georgian Bay to Toronto, while Ken & I are going across it on the Chi Cheemaun ferry to Tobermory. My trip is much shorter, only 600kms.
By the time I wake up Peter is long gone (7 AM). Later, I learned that he had lunch with his friends in Bala as planned and was still home by 4 PM. Wow! He also mentioned that it was funny riding alone. He kept looking in his mirror to see me; much the same as he had done the whole trip. "Where is the heck is Armstrong anyway?" However, this time he didn't have to turn around and go back looking for me.
Ken and I wasted no time in getting to Southmouth Bay to catch the 1:30 ferry. We arrived better than a half an hour early, expecting that we would have time to kill. Not true. We were quickly ushered into the nearly full parking lot with the other motorcycles. Shortly after that the Chi Cheemaun came around the corner and docked. We were the last bikes to board the ferry. Some of Peter's good luck must have rubbed off on me. One of the staff members said it was the busiest day that seen since the beginning of the summer. It wasn't even a holiday weekend. We had a nice sunny crossing to Tobermory and headed home with quite a few "butt stops." Maybe it knew the trip was coming to an end and it wanted to make the most of it as well.
I think that Peter's comments about our "Living The Dream" Trip are correct. Peter said, " It felt good to be home. The Dream is over, but like the dream catchers I bought in Vancouver the memories will exist forever. We travelled 23,300 kms over the last 48 days, averaging 500 kms per day. The sites we saw surpassed our wildest expectations. The trip would not have been the same if we done is solo. Riding with a person who became your friend and riding buddy made the trip what it was. The memories will last forever.
This completes the "Living The Dream Trip." Join us next year, when the 3 Amigos head through Eastern Canada.
Thanks for joining our adventure.
Peter, Doug & Dave
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Day 47 Friday July 15th: Nipigon to Sault Ste Marie; Hwy 17 600 kms
Map Link:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Nipigon,+Ontario&daddr=Sault+Ste.+Marie,+ON&hl=en&ll=47.776252,-86.275635&spn=4.245197,7.064209&sll=49.1553,-91.372305&sspn=4.131674,7.064209&geocode=FTj26wIdfFK9-ikd5658nhVcTTFLSxtMdyER2w%3BFdUKxgId0Ov4-il7jIEIFTE2TTHNIdsTtQ5bxQ&mra=ls&z=7
While we are finishing our oatmeal breakfast in Timmies a Ford Focus that looks like one of my neighbours pulls into the lot. Shortly after another neighbour comes through the door looking for us. He says, " I can smell your bike up on the hill from here!" Ray & his wife Penny join us for a few minutes. They are headed out west with Gordie (the Focus owner). This is absolutely amazing. There is no way we could have planned this. It just happened. Serendipity strikes again.
The ride along the North Channel is outstanding; rugged shoreline and water looks so inviting. I know I have said this before, but we actually do have some very nice scenery in Ontario. You just have to drive to the top half of the map to see it. The weather continues to cooperate with sunshine & mid twenty temperatures. We arrive at the Super 8 in Sault Ste Marie at 5 PM. While contemplating getting off the bikes, Ken Wolfe my other riding buddy arrives and beeps his horn to wake us up. Ken has ridden from Mitchell to join us for the trip home. Perfect timing. Wow!
That night we enjoy a steak dinner to celebrate on our last ride of the trip together. It is hard to believe that "Peter and Doug's Excellent Adventure" is coming to an end. It really has been a fantastic trip. At least as we come back to reality we have some really good memories and stories to tell.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Nipigon,+Ontario&daddr=Sault+Ste.+Marie,+ON&hl=en&ll=47.776252,-86.275635&spn=4.245197,7.064209&sll=49.1553,-91.372305&sspn=4.131674,7.064209&geocode=FTj26wIdfFK9-ikd5658nhVcTTFLSxtMdyER2w%3BFdUKxgId0Ov4-il7jIEIFTE2TTHNIdsTtQ5bxQ&mra=ls&z=7
While we are finishing our oatmeal breakfast in Timmies a Ford Focus that looks like one of my neighbours pulls into the lot. Shortly after another neighbour comes through the door looking for us. He says, " I can smell your bike up on the hill from here!" Ray & his wife Penny join us for a few minutes. They are headed out west with Gordie (the Focus owner). This is absolutely amazing. There is no way we could have planned this. It just happened. Serendipity strikes again.
The ride along the North Channel is outstanding; rugged shoreline and water looks so inviting. I know I have said this before, but we actually do have some very nice scenery in Ontario. You just have to drive to the top half of the map to see it. The weather continues to cooperate with sunshine & mid twenty temperatures. We arrive at the Super 8 in Sault Ste Marie at 5 PM. While contemplating getting off the bikes, Ken Wolfe my other riding buddy arrives and beeps his horn to wake us up. Ken has ridden from Mitchell to join us for the trip home. Perfect timing. Wow!
That night we enjoy a steak dinner to celebrate on our last ride of the trip together. It is hard to believe that "Peter and Doug's Excellent Adventure" is coming to an end. It really has been a fantastic trip. At least as we come back to reality we have some really good memories and stories to tell.
Day 46 Thurs July 14th: Kenora to Nipigon ON; TC Hwy 700 kms
Map Link:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Kenora,+Ontario&daddr=Nipigon,+Ontario&hl=en&sll=50.078295,-99.536133&sspn=8.1096,14.128418&geocode=FevH9wIdi49e-ilbN6giDOu9UjEsleT6uHelCg%3BFTj26wIdfFK9-ikd5658nhVcTTFLSxtMdyER2w&mra=ls&z=7
Before we begin to ride we apply our sunscreen. Peter has more to area cover than me. Today is the first day that Peter can ride in a T-shirt & jeans. Freedom at last. He has a large grin on his face as the sun beats down on him and he listens to the tunes coming from his satellite radio. Oh yes! We are roughing it! Arriving at Thunder Bay by 5 PM, we decide to do another 100 kms to Kenora to cut a 100 kms from tomorrow's ride. Now we are in the same time zone as Toronto. This makes it easy to catch up with our families on Skype.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Kenora,+Ontario&daddr=Nipigon,+Ontario&hl=en&sll=50.078295,-99.536133&sspn=8.1096,14.128418&geocode=FevH9wIdi49e-ilbN6giDOu9UjEsleT6uHelCg%3BFTj26wIdfFK9-ikd5658nhVcTTFLSxtMdyER2w&mra=ls&z=7
Before we begin to ride we apply our sunscreen. Peter has more to area cover than me. Today is the first day that Peter can ride in a T-shirt & jeans. Freedom at last. He has a large grin on his face as the sun beats down on him and he listens to the tunes coming from his satellite radio. Oh yes! We are roughing it! Arriving at Thunder Bay by 5 PM, we decide to do another 100 kms to Kenora to cut a 100 kms from tomorrow's ride. Now we are in the same time zone as Toronto. This makes it easy to catch up with our families on Skype.
Day 45 Wed July 13th: Regina SK to Kenora ON; 800 kms!
Map Link:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Regina,+Saskatchewan&daddr=Kenora,+Ontario&hl=en&ll=50.078295,-99.536133&spn=8.1096,14.128418&sll=50.5021,-109.331875&sspn=8.038372,14.128418&geocode=FcLgAQMdNdTD-SnrPaX7QB4cUzGxVHu3ljJKNQ%3BFevH9wIdi49e-ilbN6giDOu9UjEsleT6uHelCg&mra=ls&z=6
Heavy head winds again, all day, but no rain & reasonable temperature of 20 degrees. We decide to take advantage of the good weather and do an extra 200 kms to reach Kenora ON. Now we are only one hour different than Toronto. Quite a change from the 4 hour difference in Alaska. We arrive at 7 PM after a long 800 km day. Both our butts are begging for mercy. Only 3 more days to home.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Regina,+Saskatchewan&daddr=Kenora,+Ontario&hl=en&ll=50.078295,-99.536133&spn=8.1096,14.128418&sll=50.5021,-109.331875&sspn=8.038372,14.128418&geocode=FcLgAQMdNdTD-SnrPaX7QB4cUzGxVHu3ljJKNQ%3BFevH9wIdi49e-ilbN6giDOu9UjEsleT6uHelCg&mra=ls&z=6
Heavy head winds again, all day, but no rain & reasonable temperature of 20 degrees. We decide to take advantage of the good weather and do an extra 200 kms to reach Kenora ON. Now we are only one hour different than Toronto. Quite a change from the 4 hour difference in Alaska. We arrive at 7 PM after a long 800 km day. Both our butts are begging for mercy. Only 3 more days to home.
Day 44 Tues July 12 th: Calgary to Regina SK; 700 kms
Map Link:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Calgary,+AB&daddr=Regina,+Saskatchewan&hl=en&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=32.685451,56.513672&geocode=FYjiCgMd-p8z-SnVP4SfA3BxUzE6tlK2sTttJg%3BFcLgAQMdNdTD-SnrPaX7QB4cUzGxVHu3ljJKNQ&mra=ls&z=6
Bruce dropped by to see us off at 8 AM. When he pounded on the door I was so startled that I just about jumped out of my riding pants. We leave Calgary under heavy rain with continues to Medicine Hat about 200 kms away. It was kind of funny to look in the rear view mirror to see blue skies & sun shine while we were riding in a downpour. Where was that nice weather when we were riding through there?
I expected the prairies to be completely flat, but in Alberta & mid way through Saskatchewan there were gentle rolling hills. The flooding we had seen in North Dakota & Montana was evident in Saskatchewan. Giant lakes came right up to the TransCanada Hwy. At first I thought they were lakes, but then I realized most lakes don't have trees and fences in them! The strong crosswinds & headwinds we experienced in the States buffeted us most of the day, forcing us to fill up every 250 kms instead of 350 kms.
Eventually, we arrived in Regina. Then the fun began. I guess there is a lot more happening in Regina than one would expect. We finally found a room on our 3rd attempt. We waited patiently in line at the check in desk while visiting Englishman told his dietary requirements to the desk clerk. When we got our chance to speak with her, we explained that she didn't have to worry about us, "We're carnivorous & we don't want no stinking vegetables!"
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Calgary,+AB&daddr=Regina,+Saskatchewan&hl=en&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=32.685451,56.513672&geocode=FYjiCgMd-p8z-SnVP4SfA3BxUzE6tlK2sTttJg%3BFcLgAQMdNdTD-SnrPaX7QB4cUzGxVHu3ljJKNQ&mra=ls&z=6
Bruce dropped by to see us off at 8 AM. When he pounded on the door I was so startled that I just about jumped out of my riding pants. We leave Calgary under heavy rain with continues to Medicine Hat about 200 kms away. It was kind of funny to look in the rear view mirror to see blue skies & sun shine while we were riding in a downpour. Where was that nice weather when we were riding through there?
I expected the prairies to be completely flat, but in Alberta & mid way through Saskatchewan there were gentle rolling hills. The flooding we had seen in North Dakota & Montana was evident in Saskatchewan. Giant lakes came right up to the TransCanada Hwy. At first I thought they were lakes, but then I realized most lakes don't have trees and fences in them! The strong crosswinds & headwinds we experienced in the States buffeted us most of the day, forcing us to fill up every 250 kms instead of 350 kms.
Eventually, we arrived in Regina. Then the fun began. I guess there is a lot more happening in Regina than one would expect. We finally found a room on our 3rd attempt. We waited patiently in line at the check in desk while visiting Englishman told his dietary requirements to the desk clerk. When we got our chance to speak with her, we explained that she didn't have to worry about us, "We're carnivorous & we don't want no stinking vegetables!"
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