Category: Ontario

The sweltering heat from the morning sun beating on my tent helped me wake up bright and early. I loaded up my things and set off to a local Honda dealership to get an oil change. I was glad I booked an early appointment. With so much ground to cover it was a nice feeling being back on the road around 10:30am venturing east.
The heat that had woke me up was growing in its intensity, cooking me in my seat. It was one of those days I was thankful for AC. Despite the constant stops to refill my water bottle I was covering a lot of ground and in good time made it to the provincial border. I said my farewell to Manitoba as a welcome sign greeted me, I had arrived in Ontario.

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The highway worked it’s way through the wetlands, cutting through blasted out rocks as it snaked its way through the obstacles put in its place.

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Water was found in abundance as a plethora of lakes and ponds spread themselves out among the rocky land. A true fishman’s paradise.

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I made a stop in Vermillion Bay where I decided to grab a bite to eat. Having seen a couple of signs for a place called Busters Barbeque, I’d noticed an irresistible craving growing within and simply had to give it a shot. Upon arrival I wasn’t disappointed, picking up a beef brisket and chowing it down rapidly. With an appetite appeased, I set back on the road once again.

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It was growing dark, the last light of day quickly fading away as the stars began to grow in number. I decided I’d do some night driving and continued heading east. I could feel exhaustion setting in, the driving had been taking it’s toll. I made a stop in the town of Ignace to take a break, soon deciding I mine as well just camp there for the night and start again tomorrow morning when I was feeling refreshed. A short drive took me to a campground where a friendly clerk greeted me as I drove in. We talked for a short while before it came time to say goodbye and catch some sleep. It was definitely a long day but with so much ground covered, a productive one.

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Waking up in a shaded area was nice. I packed my things, showered up and worked on the blog. I was eager to get back on the road but decided I’d take Winnie for a stroll first, burning off some of that pent up energy. A dirt path behind the campground was the perfect spot for Winnie to do her laps, face full of elated excitement she raced back and fourth along the trail. With a freshly tuckered out puppy I returned to the car, beginning my travels for the day.

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The campground owner I’d been chatting with before I’d left had recommended a few places to see, one of these being Kakabeka Falls. Upon my arrival I’d noticed a dark layer of clouds gathering above me. Rumbles of thunder echoed across the land heralding the coming storm. I wasn’t gonna miss the chance to see what I’d came for and set off down the walkway to view the cascading water. The falls were a lot better than I thought they’d be. The river split into two separate paths where the rushing water tumbled over the cliff to the valley below, an incredible sight. I decided to walk over a nearby bridge to the other side for a different view. That little jaunt cost me as the rain began to fall in a torrential downpour as soon as I arrived. I snapped a quick picture and ran back to the car, getting completely soaked in doing so. A small price to pay to glimpse such a marvelous wonder I suppose.

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It wasn’t much further to Thunder Bay and I soon arrived there, drenched and famished. I grabbed a bite to eat and set about viewing the Terry Fox monument before being on my way. Having arrived I stood there gazing up at the statue. We never know just how many people may inspire when we take the path less traveled, stepping fourth into something bigger than ourselves as Terry had done.

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Having lost an hour on the time change I noticed the day coming to a close noticeably faster. I decided to make one more stop before the sun went down, Ouimet Canyon. A bumpy road took me a ways off the main highway into the woods. With the sun now a fiery orange I arrived and made haste as I jogged down the path to the lookouts. A deep valley greeted me upon arrival, tall rocky cliffs lining it’s walls. I peered down into the deep canyon below. What an incredible display of the immense power of the earth to rip the rocks open in such a way, creating the marvel that lay before me.

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With another day full of wonderful sights I set about finding a campsite where I could rest up before continuing the adventures tomorrow. What will it bring I wonder, only the dawn will tell.

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Heading to bed so late the night before I could feel the struggle in the morning. I took a short stroll on a nearby beach before setting off into town to grab a bite to eat, finding a cozy little shop that served me up a tasty veggie sandwich and a much needed coffee. With some food and that sweet sweet caffeine running through my veins I took to the roads.

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The drive east was a scenic paradise, a stunning blend mountains and colorful rocks spread themselves across the immense landscape. I had a desire to cover a lot of ground but alas, found myself stopping constantly to take in the breathtaking views.

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I made the right choice taking the number 17 highway as it hugged much of the Lake Superior shoreline. Beaches were found in abundance and I stopped at plenty of them on my way east.

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Always on the hunt for a good waterfall I noticed a sign for Aguasabon Falls and decided it was worth taking a peek at. A short walk along the boardwalks and I had arrived, staring out across a deep gorge. I took a separate jaunt down one of the nearby paths to get a better view of the falls themselves, a path that revealed the natural wonder in it’s majestic beauty.

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As I continued my pursuit east the roads took me to the town of White River, where a Winnie the Pooh statue greeted me. It turns out this was the town where the honey loving bear was created. I could feel my inner child bring forth a mirthful smile.

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It seemed like there was always something unique waiting just around the bend. Upon arriving in the town of Wawa I noticed an enormous goose standing tall on the hills. I set about taking a closer look and soon stood under the fowls immense wings. I took a moment to stretch my legs and admire the creative monument before returning to the roads once more.

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I came to my final big destination of the day when I saw a lengthy beach in the distance. I knew it would be a great place for Winnie to play a bit and decided to check it out. As I arrived on the beach Winnie ran up to greet another dog that had been walking about and they soon chased each other back and fourth. I ended up getting in a conversation with the owner, a kind soul named Aimee. We shared stories with one another as our dogs ran in and out of the water, constantly darting past us in a sprinkle of sand and water. With the sun having set we said our farewell, going our separate ways.

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I decided I’d do some night driving but with such a scenic drive ahead of me I cut it short, knowing I’d appreciate it much more during the day. For the first time so far in my trip I decided to doze off in my car, a twinkling sky above bidding me goodnight.

I hardly got any sleep the night before and found myself feeling pretty exhausted as I began my drive east. I pushed myself as much as I could but found I was having a hard time focusing, realizing I needed to get some rest if I was gonna drive safely. I pulled off down a quiet side road and proceeded to doze off in my car.
I managed to get a few hours sleep, feeling surprisingly refreshed when I awoke. With a sense of rejuvenating vigor returning to me, I drove to the nearest coffee to keep my focus sharp with that precious caffeine.

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I kept my stopping to a minimum, wanting to make it to North Bay before the day was over. I did however make a stop in the town of Bruce Mines due to an irresistible aroma finding its way to my nostrils as I drove through the streets. Like a cartoon floating to a freshly cooked meal I felt myself lifted from my path and set before a nearby chip wagon. Soon I held the golden french fries in my hands and proceeded to indulge myself.

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The chip wagon was the perfect place for a stop as an open field along the edge of Lake Huron lay behind it. Winnie had a blast running about as I finished my meal.

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I was determined to make it to North Bay and continued pressing on. Certain towns and places have a warm draw to them, as though I could live there in the future, while other towns have the opposite feeling and I can’t wait to leave them. When I arrived in Sudbury I had the feeling of wanting to be anywhere else but there. Bikers with their leather jackets and gang patches grew in number as I drove deeper into the city. I refilled my gas, picked up a healthy smoothie and left as quick as I could.
At last I arrived in the town of North Bay, greeting my friend Jayro I hadn’t seen in eleven years. It was awesome seeing him once more and we proceeded to chat the evening away. Time had flown by and and I ended up passed out on the couch, a full day coming to its close.

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I woke up feeling refreshed. Jason and his mother Sonya had gotten up and greeted me in the living room. We noticed Jason’s cat had stranded itself on a shed and as he was helping it down the poor guy got a claw to the face, so much for the feline appreciating a helping hand! The three of us found ourselves getting hungry so we set off to a local all you can eat sushi restaurant. The meal was nice but I’d had better, I’ve become a bit of a sushi snob living in Vancouver as there seems to be an endless supply of competing restaurants that I frequent far more often than my wallet desires.

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As we rolled out of the restaurant and back to the car we decided we’d relax for a bit, letting the heat of the day subside before going for a hike.
Having rested up we set off to Duchesnay Falls. A dirt path guided us in, taking us along side a cascading river that gradually worked itself down the hills.

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We slowly worked our way onward as we continued down the path, often taking plenty of stops to appreciate the natural beauty surrounding us.

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Having reached the end of our hike we turned back, returning to the car once more. A short drive took us to a school both Jason and Sonya had gone to in the past. Geese flocked around a nearby pond we had stopped at as wild flowers grew along the waters edge. We took some time taking pictures before heading back to the house where we spent the rest of the evening sharing in great conversations, a wonderful way to finish off the day.

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Having enjoyed my stay with my friend Jason it came time to say my farewells and continue the adventure. Before we parted ways we took a short walk through a conservation area where we observed the various blends of fauna and flora, all finding their home in the swampy lands. It was a calm place but also a breeding ground for mosquitoes, luckily the heat of the day kept their numbers at bay.

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It wasn’t long until I was on the road venturing south. I made sure to stop in the town of Burk’s Falls to visit my friend Robyn I hadn’t seen in 12-15 years. As I pulled up a girl appeared beside an old truck, sure enough it was her. We greeted each other and began to catch up, sharing in our stories we had made over the years. In time her husband arrived and greeted me, he offered me a coffee and joined in the conversation. They had 6 kids that kept them on their toes, I honestly don’t know how they did it but somehow they managed to keep their hair from falling out! The family offered to cook me dinner and I gladly took them up on their offer. We chatted and chowed until the sun went down. As it had gotten quite late it came time to say goodbye and we parted ways.

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Despite it being dark I decided I’d make the 4 hour drive to Brantford where my family was waiting. Through cities with their bright lights that drowned out the stars I drove, the formally bustling highways now just a trickle of cars. Driving so late worked to my benefit as I made it through the city in great time.

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At last I made it to Brantford where I greeted my parents with a hug before heading up to bed. It’s an interesting feeling returning to the town I’d left 11 years ago to travel to British Columbia, although seeing my family again always makes it worth the visit.

Having been on the go so much I decided I’d take the next couple of days to relax and spend time with my family. Being out west I don’t see them as often as I’d like to and seeing them all once more is a real treat. As usual Winnie was the little celebrity, winning the hearts of everyone she met.

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My brothers and I decided we would all go for a hike together one day and set off to explore a waterfall in Hamilton. The trail took us through the woods, a sunlit canopy of leaves high above sheltering us from the blazing sun. Norman had brought his dog Jarlaxle, both him and Winnie ran through the brush together as they played about, covering themselves in burrs. This would haunt me a bit later and I spent around 4 hours picking them all out of her fur.

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The journey took us to Felker’s Falls, a natural wonder among the tall cliffs that surrounded it. We stayed for a bit, taking turns going behind the falls and appreciating the scenery before returning to the trail once more as we set off back towards the vehicles.

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Norman was going camping later on so we said our goodbyes and Jesse and I decided we’d venture to see another waterfall. The trek took us to Sherman Falls. A short walk and we’d arrived at the waterfall where we decided to climb up for a better look. It was a peaceful area, shaded and calm. We sat down and enjoyed the view. With the rest of the day ahead of us we went back to Jesse’s place and spent the rest of the day hanging out.

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The next day I got to meet my niece Xayleia once again. It always makes me feel old when I see how fast kids grow and Jesse’s daughter had grown quite a bit, now sharing her creative thoughts in abundance for us to listen to. A wild little monkey she climbed about on the doorways and danced around, it reminded me of my own childhood being an energetic youngster.

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While in Brantford I reached out to another old friend I hadn’t seen in years, my friend Deanna. We had spent countless hours together as teenagers, having been apart for so many years we had plenty to share with one another as we caught up. I realized I’d missed her quite a bit as we talked, we had both lived such different and unique lives that it was fascinating hearing one another’s stories, sharing our lives with its various ups and downs among the many adventures we had taken. It came to say goodbye and although it was tough, not knowing when I’d see her again, we gave each other a hug and went our separate ways.

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My parents spend a lot of time working on their garden, a pretty awesome hobby as it keeps them on their feet in the golden years. The product of their labor is a beautiful property full of vibrant flowers that brings a colorful decoration to their home.

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The rest of the time in Brantford was spent mostly with my immediate family, relaxing and enjoying one another’s conversation. I don’t know when I’ll see them again so I made sure to enjoy the time I had before setting off towards the next adventure.

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It was awesome seeing my family again and spending so much time with them, leaving was tough but it was exciting getting back on the road again to continue the adventuring! My first stop was Hamilton to view some waterfalls. It turns out Hamilton is the waterfall capitol of the world so there was plenty to choose from. Webster’s Falls was on my list so I decided to check it out first. While beautiful in its own unique way the amount of water going over the cliff was pretty small, more akin to a trickle than a raging waterfall. I took my time to appreciate it regardless before moving to the next one on my list.

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A short drive down the road took me to waterfall number two, Tew’s Falls. While the cliff was incredible with it’s steep rock face lined with flourishing greenery, the waterfall itself was not more then a light dribble. I’m sure in the spring such a sight would be an even greater stunning view with the melting snow but for now the trickling will have to suffice.

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I hopped back in the car, venturing east to the Cheltenham Badlands. Upon arrival I hopped out of the car with Winnie and immediately set off on the trail. It was a scorching day, thankfully much of the trail was shaded by the trees making the hike more enjoyable. I arrived at the site, admiring the view before Winnie began to whimper as I could see the heat was getting to her. We returned once more to a shaded path and she perked back up as we set about returning to the car.

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Having spent so much time seeing the various sights on the early afternoon I made it to Toronto during rush hour traffic. I can honestly say out of everywhere I’ve driven, driving through Toronto during rush hour was the hands down worst driving experience I’ve dealt with. Traffic would constantly go from moving at a decent pace to a dead stop, it’s amazing more accidents don’t happen there! One glance away from the road and you’re likely to be buried in someone’s bumper. I could feel the drive getting on my nerves, finding myself constantly annoyed. I decided to take a break, re-caffeinate and take Winnie to a dog park. I was glad I did so, it brought me much needed relief and Winnie had a blast running around with the other pups burning her energy off. When she got back in the car she had that familiar smiling face, full of life and excitement.

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I was determined to get as far east as I could and didn’t stop much. I did however make one more worthwhile detour though, The Big Apple. A humble little orchard beside a giant apple found it’s home beside the busy highway. I arrived just in time as the place was closing soon and I was able to stock up on some fresh apples straight from the orchard.

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The sun had gone down and night was soon upon me. I decided I’d press on a little further before the exhaustion began to kick in, arriving in the town of Brockville where I decided to camp for the night. A full day with some solid ground covered, I now myself exhausted and eager to catch some solid sleep.

I woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of the couple in the tent beside me getting frisky, I hope their poor kids slept through it because they certainly weren’t trying to be discreet! At least I was able to fall asleep again before the sun roasted me out of my tent in the morning. It being an early start to the day, I had plenty of time to work on my blog and clean up before setting off on the road in good time.
I began my travels east through small towns scattered amongst the many growing corn fields, the stalks reaching ever greater heights in anticipation of the coming harvest. The sun above spread forth it’s blanket of heat across the land, a light breeze occasionally giving momentary relief to the swelter as it rustled the leaves above.

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It wasn’t long before I’d arrived in Ottawa, the capital of Canada. I began my drive throughout the city as I explored what it had to offer. What an incredible place, it certainly stood out among the other cities I had seen on my travels with it’s old unique and creative buildings, many of them marvels of architecture.

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I decided I’d find a place to park so I could explore on foot. My wandering took me all over the place, with so much to see there was an endless pallet of visual wonders finding their home across the land.

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Seeing many of the buildings where so many huge decisions for the country were made such as the Supreme Court or the House of Commons brought about a deeper rumination into how we structure our country.

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The sun was beginning to set, I had been wandering around for hours on end. On my walks I had noticed a sign advertising an event happening on Parliament Hill in the evening, I figured I’d check it out before saying my goodbye to the city.

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With dusk setting in the fireworks began to start, and not just a minor show, this one was grand with the explosions of light going on for quite some time. Blends of sparkling colors lit up the dark sky with their thundering entrances.

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After the fireworks an incredibly unique light show called the Northern Lights began. Brought forth to dramatic music and a narrative voice the clock tower before me was bathed in displays of canadian history as light shows moved across it in fascinating fashion.

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A full day of sightseeing was coming to it’s close and I set off east out of the city where I found a shaded place to camp, what a day!

I managed to get some pretty decent sleep in my car, I must’ve been more tired than I thought. With plenty of ground to cover I immediately took to the highway heading west. Soon I returned to an english speaking province as I entered Ontario.

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I didn’t wanna deal with Toronto rush hour traffic so I decided I’d stop in Kingston for a few hours before continuing to Brantford. I drove down to the docks beside Canada’s oldest penitentiary that had closed it’s door several years ago and turned itself into a museum. Sadly the museum was closed at the time but I was still able to walk the shores that so many prisoners had longed to do. Hearing the waves and knowing freedom was so close must’ve been torturous for those incarcerated.

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Having spent a few hours dawdling about I finally took to the roads once more. Avoiding the worst of Toronto traffic, I arrived in Brantford around midnight where my parents greeted me with a hug. I knew I’d made the right choice visiting them again and I soon dozed off in a comfy bed, quite the upgrade from a car seat!

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