All creatures great and small, shown here in the order we observed them.  We saw a great many others that we couldn’t capture, especially birds.

Wednesday, June 7-Thursday, June 8                                                                                     Neys Provincial Park                                                                                                                     Terrance Bay, Ontario

We crossed into Canada at Thunder Bay, Ontario.

I was ready with my camera for this one!!  Hey Girlfriend!

There are provincial parks about every 50 miles along Highway 17 through Ontario. We stopped at Neys for the night.  The parks cost more than US parks (about $25 a night), but they have nice facilities (i.e. showers and laundry rooms).

Thursday, June 8-Friday, June 9                                                                                                    Chutes Provincial Park, Massey, Ontario

This park is situated on the Sables-Spanish Rivers, and is named after a logging chute that used to divert timber around a falls.  The park is right on the highway, and although we had a nice campground, there was a lot of traffic noise.

We knew this would be our last night camping, and I felt a bit disappointed in this park, which just can’t compare to most of the national parks that we’ve seen.  We made dinner and built a fire, and as the skies darkened we were treated to the most amazing chorus of bird songs that I have ever heard.  I was reminded to be grateful and open to new experiences every day.

Friday, June 9-Saturday, June 10                                                                                           Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec

We wanted to spend our last night in Montreal, as neither of us have been there and we’ve heard a lot about this city and its beauty.  We discovered that this was the weekend of a grand prix race and the city was filled to capacity with people who had come to see this popular event.  We ended up in this suburb in a very strange little motel.  

The woman at the desk told us that motel was full because of the race, but she did manage to find us a room.  Ours was the only car in the parking lot. (?)  It was a fitting, quirky end to our adventures on the road.

Saturday, June 10                                                                                                                          5 Union St, Belfast, Maine

We got an early start and arrived home in the afternoon to this welcome site.

Not only had Phil put up this sign, he was waiting to help us unload the car.  It sure felt good to be home!!

Yes, I know I am posting this on August 29, and we have been home for 2 1/2 months. I never have been able to keep a daily journal!!  I have several more posts planned to pay tribute to the wildlife and plant life that delighted us so much, and to make notes of other things I don’t want to forget.  Thank you for reading and commenting on our trip!  I would encourage everyone to visit as many national parks as possible; they are such a treasure.  I have been so disturbed about many things that are happening in our country, and this trip did a lot to restore my faith in America and the people who live here.  We found beauty and kindness around every turn, and I feel so grateful, so lucky, and so blessed to have had this experience.  I could not have had a better road companion than Andy.  He woke up every morning in a good mood, and never lost interest or enthusiasm for traveling, camping, hiking, and exploring.  I love that man!!

 

Tuesday, June 6-Wednesday, June 7                                                                                         Judge CR Magney Campground                                                                                             Minnesota North Shore

Minnesota continues to impress us with its lakes, its beauty, and…

Driving from Voyageurs NP across to the North Shore, we went through a forested area on a two lane road. Up ahead, I noticed some kind of structure on the side of the road.  As we got closer, I suddenly realized, IT WAS A MOOSE!!! We slowed down and stared in stunned disbelief as it casually crossed the road in front of us.  It was a huge bull with enormous antlers, and he was wearing a collar!  We later found out that the moose population is declining in Northern Minnesota, and some have been collared so scientists can track their whereabouts.  I was too surprised to take a picture, but neither of us will ever forget him.  We were so excited!!

This monument is located on the border of Minnesota and Ontario, on the shore of Lake Superior. It was not a planned destination, but proved to be an interesting place to visit.  This nearby campground is nice, too.

We can set up and break down camp with a smooth rhythm now; we each have our own tasks, and every item has its own place.  I thought maybe we’d get tired of sleeping in our tent and living outdoors, but honestly, I will really miss it.  Andy has said the same thing.We bought this tent at REI before we moved to Maine and had used it a lot before this trip. We broke a pole during high wind conditions on Padre Island in Texas, but a little splint worked just fine for the rest of the trip.  We’ll have to send the pole for repair after this season.  One of our smartest investments was a high quality queen size mattress by ExPed.  It self inflates when unrolled, and comes with a hand pump so that air can be added to make it firmer.  There is a layer of memory foam inside that keeps the mattress warm as well as making it extremely comfortable.  I can’t recommend it highly enough for car camping.  Add a double sleeping bag and real pillows, and it’s just as good as any bed anywhere!!

Grand Portage was designated a national monument in 1958. It is on the Ojibwe reservation, and has been reconstructed to give visitors a glimpse of a bustling fur trade depot in a location where a major canoe fur trade route of the voyageurs left the great lakes. The route began with a grueling 9 mile portage.

There are docents here dressed in period clothing who explain to visitors what this place was like during its heyday in the late 18th century.  This man not only dresses the part, he spends each day building and maintaining canoes, using the same methods as the original builders.  We talked to him for quite a while, and it’s clear that he loves his work.  After we left his workshop we heard him playing a button accordion (beautifully).

We had dinner at Naniboujou Lodge, very close to our camp.  Named for the Cree god of the outdoors, this lodge was intended to be an exclusive private club.  Babe Ruth and Jack Dempsey were among the charter members, but unfortunately, the club opened in 1929 and went bankrupt soon after.  The establishment changed hands many times over the years and fell into disrepair, but is now privately owned and has been beautifully restored.  The dining room is painted with Cree symbols and is pretty amazing!  We were told that this is the original paint.

You just never know what the day will bring!!