Rockies Trip - Day 3 - July 17th, 2014
Thunder Bay to Winnipeg, Manitoba
Taking a wrong turning can sometimes turn out to be a blessing! Leaving Thunder Bay at 6:00 this morning, we set up the GPS to guide us out of the city and on our way west to Winnipeg. However, instead of obeying the pleasant, if not mechanical, voice, we turned when we saw the sign to Hwy 17 West, and found ourselves going the longer way. However, we drove right by the Kakabeka Falls and decided to stop there to take a gander at one of the sights that Mark had ear-marked a couple of months ago.
Although the morning air was cold, and the mist from the falls was a little damp on the skin, we were rewarded for our early rising as and enjoyed the spectacle which we had all to ourselves! In my mind, these Falls are just as magnificent as Niagara - and preferable because of the lack of commercialization. Definitely worth a stop, if you're in the area.
An interesting sign denotes a point from which all streams flow north into the Arctic Ocean. (There is a similar sign on the way to Chapleau from Elliot Lake, but I've never yet taken a photo of it). I find things like this fascinating to think about.
In like manner, coming from the small, but not insignificant, island of Great Britain, I am still dazzled by the size of this country - especially when it is manifested through the various time zones. Mark knew, but I didn't know, that the time zone changed within Ontario, just an hour west of Thunder Bay. I still get excited by the prospect of time travel - even if it is not in the same league as Dr. Who!!
Driving through the little township of Ignace, we saw a sign to a lookout. So we took the detour, but the view was not particularly inspiring.
However, while we were answering the call of nature, we heard a definite warning snort of something larger than ourselves in the nearby bushes. Unsure if it was a bear or a moose, we hung around for a while to see if it would reveal itself, but to no avail. The only wildlife we saw were the black flies that are still out this far north! These little pesks would not stay still long enough for me to take their pic.... nor for me to swat them! I have the evidence on the back of my neck!
Dryden is a place about which we've heard from friends who lived there years ago. Sporting a Tim Horton's and a Walmart on the highway, you have to detour slightly to see the older town, together with its working pulp mill alongside the river.
Just outside of Dryden, Mark remembered that Art, a good friend of ours, had told him about a sheep farm where you could see all sorts of clothing and crafts made from the wool. No sooner were the words out of his mouth, and we saw the sign for Eglis Sheep Farm on the side of the road. We stopped there for 15 minutes or so and found it interesting to see how many different ways the produce of this animal is used.
The place that stole my heart today, though, was Kenora. Ever since first seeing it on a map of Ontario, I've been attracted to the name, though I have no idea why. The town is extremely picturesque, set by a glistening lake, and can be proud of its architecture and layout.
As we were leaving Kenora, Mark suddenly shouted, 'Deer!' and there she was, sauntering over the road ahead of us - in no hurry to get to the other side. She owned the territory! To our delight, she settled in to a feast of flowers and grass beside the road. We were able to stop the car on the shoulder and sit by her for a few minutes while she continued to sate her appetite, totally undisturbed by the closeness of our presence.
We were both surprized by the sudden disappearance of surrounding forests as it gave way to what must be the beginning of the prairies. Flat, flat, flat!!!
Just a few minutes after we hit this area, we passed a sign announcing the longitudinal centre of Canada!
We just HAD to do a U-turn (legal in this part of the province) so that we could go back and capture it for the blog.
Taking a wrong turning can sometimes turn out to be a blessing! Leaving Thunder Bay at 6:00 this morning, we set up the GPS to guide us out of the city and on our way west to Winnipeg. However, instead of obeying the pleasant, if not mechanical, voice, we turned when we saw the sign to Hwy 17 West, and found ourselves going the longer way. However, we drove right by the Kakabeka Falls and decided to stop there to take a gander at one of the sights that Mark had ear-marked a couple of months ago. Although the morning air was cold, and the mist from the falls was a little damp on the skin, we were rewarded for our early rising as and enjoyed the spectacle which we had all to ourselves! In my mind, these Falls are just as magnificent as Niagara - and preferable because of the lack of commercialization. Definitely worth a stop, if you're in the area. An interesting sign denotes a point from which all streams flow north into the Arctic Ocean. (There is a similar sign on the way to Chapleau from Elliot Lake, but I've never yet taken a photo of it). I find things like this fascinating to think about. In like manner, coming from the small, but not insignificant, island of Great Britain, I am still dazzled by the size of this country - especially when it is manifested through the various time zones. Mark knew, but I didn't know, that the time zone changed within Ontario, just an hour west of Thunder Bay. I still get excited by the prospect of time travel - even if it is not in the same league as Dr. Who!!Driving through the little township of Ignace, we saw a sign to a lookout. So we took the detour, but the view was not particularly inspiring. Dryden is a place about which we've heard from friends who lived there years ago. Sporting a Tim Horton's and a Walmart on the highway, you have to detour slightly to see the older town, together with its working pulp mill alongside the river.
Just past the township, there was a sign for a Suspension Bridge, which was erected from donations from a local businessman. It recommends only two people on the bridge at a time - though we didn't see this sign until after we had crossed it and returned!
An enchanting park feature near the suspension bridge is a little building surrounded by four benches, each denoting one of the four seasons, along with the four cardinal directions, and the four classical elements (air, earth, water, and fire). The four benches are splendidly painted using the hues of the four colours associated with the elements. We thought it was very clever, and worth a mention in this blog.
Just outside of Dryden, Mark remembered that Art, a good friend of ours, had told him about a sheep farm where you could see all sorts of clothing and crafts made from the wool. No sooner were the words out of his mouth, and we saw the sign for Eglis Sheep Farm on the side of the road. We stopped there for 15 minutes or so and found it interesting to see how many different ways the produce of this animal is used.
Here's a story that will get you thinking..... I like to have fun with something called, The Law Of Attraction - which was featured a few years ago in a book and movie called, 'The Secret'. So, just yesterday, I said that I would like to have two little bunnies come into my experience - and also a hat with a hole in it. I don't know much about headwear except for baseball caps! Anyway, from experience, I know that the idea is that you say what you want and why you want it and then sit back and watch the Universe work its wonders to bring it do you - how and when is not for us to know. (My 'why' was really just for fun!!). Anyway, once you've made it known, you then just get yourself in a good feeling place and keep yourself there as much as you can. Well, wouldn't you know.... in the Sheep Farm Store, Mark pointed out several little soft animals, among which were some little bunnies - not just two of them, but many more. And then, just around the corner, there was a display of hats - all different shapes and sizes, and there was one pile that had two holes in them! I had no idea that hats had holes in them.... and I didn't even know about this farm! It took less than 24 hours for the manifestation of my desired objects!!
Now... if I can practice that in other areas......hmmm!
We saw this cute little Anglican Church just past the farm. It holds 5 services every year!
The place that stole my heart today, though, was Kenora. Ever since first seeing it on a map of Ontario, I've been attracted to the name, though I have no idea why. The town is extremely picturesque, set by a glistening lake, and can be proud of its architecture and layout.
Down at the harbourfront, we espied some houseboats and were able to board one to take a closer look. We were in awe that there was accommodation for 12 people to sleep comfortably, with all the appliances and personal comforts that are necessary for a week or so on the water.
A rather neat idea in a parkette was the display of various decorated fish, each by different artists with different themes.
As we were leaving Kenora, Mark suddenly shouted, 'Deer!' and there she was, sauntering over the road ahead of us - in no hurry to get to the other side. She owned the territory! To our delight, she settled in to a feast of flowers and grass beside the road. We were able to stop the car on the shoulder and sit by her for a few minutes while she continued to sate her appetite, totally undisturbed by the closeness of our presence.
We could have stretched out our hands to touch her, but felt it was best to leave her to her chosen occupation. Mark's comment after that experience?? "I LOVE KENORA!"
We finally crossed the border into Manitoba just before 1:30 p.m. and stopped to capture the welcome sign. For the first hour, the terrain was similar, though more flat than Ontario.
Just a few minutes after we hit this area, we passed a sign announcing the longitudinal centre of Canada!
We just HAD to do a U-turn (legal in this part of the province) so that we could go back and capture it for the blog.
Arriving in Winnipeg, we found the hotel, thanks to the GPS on our Samsung Galaxy S4 (also the camera responsible for all of our pics).
Our plans were to settle in to the room and then explore the city before getting on the training call that we host for our team every Thursday evening. However, we were both happy to stay in the room and relax. The joys of Downtown Winnipeg will have to wait for our return trip, in just over a week!
