August 1, 2022. Crow Lake to Perth

 

August 1, 2022. Crow Lake to Perth

August 07, 2022

 Our canoe trip this year turned out to be a bike trip. Joel and I felt that, since I have had back pain from spinal stenosis, my lifting/carrying was seriously affected, and I could not be relied on to do the kind of work we both need for canoe camping. And since I can bike without much pain, we felt that a bike trip would work.

Richard was good enough to allow us to use his cottage as a base. We had looked at the K-P trail that goes along the side of highway 38, from Kingston to Sharbot Lake, as a possibility. But it would have involved a trip of about 80 km, and we both felt that was too ambitious for us. We decided on another trail—the Tay Valley trail, which goes from Sharbot Lake to Perth. We would bike from the cottage, go north from Crow Lake via Cross Road, and pick up the trail east of Sharbot Lake. Sounds simple, eh? We were all set: a day’s bike to Perth, a day in Perth, and a day to return.

Of course, it didn’t work out as planned. 

We got a good start though. Up by 8, and ready to go by 9:30. Biked out to Crow Lake Road, only to remember that we had left our water bottles back at the cabin. And it was going to be a hot day. So we turned around, and went the 1.6 km back to the cabin, got the water bottles and headed off again. This time for sure!

Our first trial was getting out of the town of Crow Lake, via Cross Road. It is a hard climb up to the rail tracks on a dirt road. I walked the bike up part of it. But this was an omen. Lots of up and down to follow for the ten Kms to Armstrong Road. The on that road to Mill Road and up to the Tay Valley trail. We were given a very active accompaniment by the local deer fly delegation, only too happy to take advantage of our inability to swat them. There were a few choice i words spoken about the overall situation: heat, bugs, hills. But we suffered through, stopping more times than usual for a breather (particularly Bob).

Eventually, we found the Tay Valley trail that we were looking for. It was identified for us by a group of motorcyclists who were coming along the trail! We had known that the trail was a snowmobile trail in the wintertime, as well as a trail for ATVs and such in the summer. We met a number of people in their ATVs, and they were very polite and got out of our way. And the terrain was mostly quite pretty, going through rock cuts, and by lakes and bogs. And the sky was clear. We stopped for a brief lunch on some rocks by the side of the trail, before pushing on. Unfortunately it was also hot, and the bugs were bad. Plus the trail bed was better suited to ATVs than to bikes. So it was not a pleasant ride, and long. In fact, the last five kilometres was alongside Highway 7, and ended in the rough gravel at the side of railway tracks. We couldn’t ride the bikes but had to walk them the last fifty meters or so. From there it was on road—mercifully smooth and mostly downhill—all the way to Perth. We were sore and tired, but oh, so glad to get to the hotel. We had done 53 km of pretty tough country. And out aging bodies felt it.

They had kindly given us access to an unused room for our bikes. We checked in and went upstairs to our room. While Joel had a shower, I lay down on the bed and promptly fell asleep for an hour. Joel also slept for a while, when I got up and had a shower. We then went down for a delightful supper al fresco in the fine weather. Bed was calling and I was asleep by 9:30; slept soundly through the night.

One more time in the West

 

One more time in the West

November 27, 2024

 This trip is kind of a spontaneous one. It seemed like a good idea to go out and visit our son Patrick. It seemed like about time that I took the train again. And I checked the VIA site and there was a special on a train from the west (Vancouver) to Toronto. This all cam together into an air trip to Victoria, a visit with Patrick, and a trip back from Vancouver via VIA. And my back was feeling better enough that I elected to go Premium Economy rather than Business Class on the Air Canada part of the trip.

 

I booked my train back from Vancouver with no problem, but then talked to Mary (my sister), and she was interested iin doing that trip as well, and it would fit in with her plan to re-visit the Okanagan Valley friends. She tried and couldn’t get onto the same train as I had done. And I had already booked a cabin for two. So she bunked in with me for the ride home.

 

Now, the time in Victoria was meant to be time with Patrick, and some add-on visits to my friends. The trip over was uneventful, but still tiring, so I arrived in BC about mid-afternoon, and promptly lay down for a nap. I had been in touch with Pat, and we agreed to meet for supper. We went to the Tapa Bar on Trounce Alley, sat outside, and had a good meal and talk. So nice to see him in person: FaceTime is great,  but still not the same. He had the week off after his acute appendicitis and surgery back on November 1.

 

The following day, I had booked a lunch with the Finnies. They picked me up, and we drove to the golf course near their home for a quiet, quite lovely lunch. About two hours of conversation and companionship with the two of them was terrific. They drove me back to the hotel where I promptly had a nap before meeting Pat for a quick meal and a movie. We went to see “The Sunstance” starring Demi Moore as an agin woman who does what she feels she need to do to stay young. Of course it has a bad outcome, but the acting was pretty good. Not my kind of film, but a pleasure to go with my son to see something together that we coud l

I was up early, read the Spectator on-line, had breakfast (again) at The Ruby downstairs, and et Barry and Nancy for a late brunch in Cook Village. Company great, and Barry hand-delivered a signed copy of his most recent book (he asys it is his last, but admits to having some ideas for another one. Again, great to see them both - I hadn’t seen Nancy for several years.

 

Wednesday night was disc golf night for Pat - his first since his appendicitis. We went to the pub in Cook Village, had a good supper with friend of his including Doug (who drove us) and Weirdy (who was the one who took Pat to hospital. They are a really good bunch of friends to Pat, and thus pretty special to me as well. I walked home and got to bed before the rain started (Pat got soaked playing golf).

 

And Thursday was a quiet day. Breakfast at the Ruby after being awake and reading the Spectator. Shopping with Pat at the Market on Main, and then an early supper at the Tandoor restaurant across from the hotel. Pat agreed to help me to the HarbourAir flight the next day. And then to bed.

 

Friday was a travel day. Pat and I got to the airport in the harbour in lots of time, and the weather cooperated by clearing up for the flight. I got to look out the window and see the islands in the Gulf, as well as (I think)a pod of whales surfacing and breathing. The landing in Vancouver was fine, but I had forgotten that there was a long climb and walk up to where thet axis are. I had also forgotten that it was Grey Cup Weekend, so there was lots of activity going on. Bt I got to the train station in good time, and met in line the woman who was to be providing the entertainment on the train. Her name is Glenna Green. She plays soft jazz and blues, much like her friend Jackie Washington in Hamilton did. She was great.

 

When I got to my berth/cabin, I was worried at the size. It is small, enough for one person easily, but how would Mary like it? She was to meet the train in Kamloops at about midnight. She did that and it was fine: we worked out a way of managing the space, and not being on top of each other all the time. Of course, we spent time in the Observation Car, the back car, the dining acr (of course), as well as many times back and forth to our room. CRampled but okay. And the food was wonderful all the way.

 A longer stop in Jasper allowed us to get out and stretch our legs: Mary and I went to find a coffee shop, and gawk a bit at the charred parts of town. The staff on our train didn’t lose any of their houses, but apparently others with VIA did. It was devastating!

 

The trip. was pretty uneventful. We stopped a few times, and Mary would get off. But I mostly stayed in the train, and often had a nap. Hard to believe I could sleep so much. Blame the analgesics. 

 

We actually got to Toronto two hours early, got the GO train to Aldershot, and shared a taxi to out respective houses.

 

Who know whether or if I will do the trip again. But I think I woudl prefer to go from Toronto, rather then to Toronto.

Christmas in Quebec (almost)

This trip began (as many things this day seem to) with a dog walk. As i was walking around the block on a relatively balmy late December day, just before Christmas, I thought “I think we should just get going and visit our friends in Huntingdon, Quebec. Jean and Hugh live on their farm, and have been very welcoming. And we needed a break from the construction at Hope Street, and from our standard regime.

Somewhat to my surprise, Darlene agreed, and I went ahead and booked places to stay in Kingston that were dog-friendly - both for the way there and the way back. It turned out to be easier than I had thought it would be. And it broke the trip up into smaller, manageable chunks or 3-4 hours per day.

And that’s how we ended up at the Super 8 Motel in Kingston on Boxing Day.

Actually, it turned out that I had booked on-line, and chosen the incorrect date: I had us arriving on Christmas night. Oops, but there was a room (#124) that served us well for the night. And Lily was happy woith it as well, and turned out to be a capable dog for travelling.

The next morning, we had a breakfast at the motel, and headed off for another three-hour drive. The GPS had trouble finding our friends. Their postal address is Huntingdon, Quebec, but the GPS (it turns out) had them in the hamlet of Godmanchester—who knew! But with a short stop in Gananoque for electrons, we were able to get there in pretty good time, and everyone was happy.

Then we had two full days of collegial company, good food and lots of talking, with Jean and Hugh. We admired the work they have done on their house, walked a bit around the property (it was pretty muddy, so not too far), visited the sheep (Lily was curious, and a bit uncertain), and were made to feel very welcome.

We started back on the Friday, again stopping for a charge in Gananoque before getting to Kingston for the night. this time, we had decided to stay in the Hochelaga Inn, a B&B in the downtown area. We were pleased with the coincidences: our room number was 401 (and the highway. we were on was 401); and the Inn was on Sydenham Street! So we felt at home, and the puppy was welcome. A fine breakfast in the morning, then back on the road. Fortunately, traffic was good, the roads were dry, and we made good time, after a longer stop in Belleville to charge up. And we went the 407 because, it felt safer than the 401.

So our first trip overnight with the dog, gong a distance, was a success. We’ll do it again. 

The Wild West, with Children

We weren’t sure we would even make it for this trip. Patrick, who lives in Victoria, had been after us for some years to come out and visit him in beautiful BC.  And this was to be the year that it happened. Dan and Katy can still travel easily (if bulkily) with Alexander, who is just under two. And, well, Bob and Darlene are supposed to be able to get there without too much trouble.

We had not taken into account a few things. Time has not been good for either Darlene or I. Between her arthritis and my spinal stenosis, we are both pretty miserable specimens when it come to getting around. Up until the last few weeks, we were no0t sure we could make it. But we agreed to spend the money for lie-down beds on the airplane, so that made it possible. And we got a cab to the airport, and had wheelchair assist in the airport itself (to avoid the long walks, particularly at Pearson). And rented a car at the airport. Money does help in some ways! So we decided to come, and to hell with the expense. A chance to get us all together may not come this way agai for a while, and to be in BC was pretty nice: I hadn’t been to see Pat at his home for over five years. We were looking forward to it.

The plan was to meet up in Victoria, and spend three days there, meeting up for meals and some time together. Then we rented a VRBO in Tofino for four days, complete with sea access, hot tub, fancy kitchen, and lots of bedrooms. After that, Dan, Katy and Alexander were going off on their own to Salt Spring Island, before visiting Vancouver on their way home to London. Darlene and I were back to Victoria for a few days before flying home.

That was the plan, and it worked out well at first. We got a room in our usual hotel near Pat’s apartment, and the kids found a B&B about two blocks away that was pretty special as well. We had a good time, meeting for breakfast at John’s Place and the Blue Fox. And doing some walking about town while the toddler was up. Also visited our friends, the Finnies, for a delightful lunch at their place. Cooked some meals at the kids’ B&B for supper, and did our best to drink the town dry(or at least Dan, Katy and Pat did). And we looked forward to being in Tofino for the four days all together. And Pat had by this time received the title of “Umple Pat” (the best that Alexander could manage).

Then Mother Nature had her say. There was a forest fire along the only road connecting Nanaimo with Tofino, along with a landslide. The road was closed to traffic for the foreseeable future. There was an alternative, but it was a single-lane, unpaved logging road. Doing that at all, much less for the six+ hours it would take to get there, was too much, and we bailed. But where to go? Darlene and I had no hotel room, and Dan and Katy were done with their B&B. Our collective brains found another B&B closer by, in the lovely little town of Shirley, an hour west of Victoria.

And it was beautiful. We were by the ocean, in a modern 4-bedroom house with hot tub, and we were happy. The picture below is from the deck of the house.

  

From this base, we went down the road to the Jordan River park to get to a beach (about 6 km away). There was a walk between where we parked the car, and the beach. It was marked at 800 metres, and most of it was either up some stairs, or down some stairs. it was a challenge to manoeuver  for each of us in different ways. But we managed, and found a technique for managing the stairs that seemed pretty clever. We determined to try the following day to go to the beach.

our final full day at this place, we went further than the previous day, to China Beach. The kids and g’kid were with us this time, and we all went the distance from parking to beach quite slowly. But we got there, had a bit of a lunch al fresco, and enjoyed the sun and sand. And, although I talk as if the beach was all that mattered, walking through what is essentially a rain forest is quite a pleasure as well.

A fine day, followed by a fine meal at the house, followed by bed, then back to Victoria. Again, at the same hotel, but after having lunch wth the kids (Dan and Katy) , they took off for their next stint, on Salt Spring Island. They will be there for a few days, then on to Vancouver before flying home. Fortunately, we got one last picture.

On our own in Victoria, we had a lazy day which included a nap for both of us, and didn’t see Pat until the next evening, when we met after his work, down at the Flying Otter for an outdoor supper. And today (Thursday) was also n pretty laid back, with a visit to Russell Books, a pot shop, and finally a gas station to fill up the car. A final supper this evening with Pat, the back home tomorrow. We are ready for being home. Which is not to detract from this time: it has been a wonderful holiday, with a few challenges, but overall just about perfect.

Almost Algonquin

September 7th and 8th:

Joel and I decided that we would get to Algonquin for a few days (a long weekend) at least once this year. We were unsure of whether we could do an overnight canoe trip, so in the end decided to rent a canoe for one day of canoeing (without camping), followed by a day of biking. That way, we didn’t need to get the canoe on the car, and we could easily put the bikes on.

So we started off north on the day after Labour Day, with me picking Joel up, and then driving to our usual hotel in Huntsville. Traffic was easy going north, so we made good time. Got to Huntsville for a late lunch, charged the car, and checked into the hotel. They remembered us, and gave us our preferred room, which was big enough to keep the bikes inside at night. A good supper was had at Tall Pines restaurant, and then to bed. The next day, we decided, would be the canoeing day. I was really looking forward to it.

Wednesday began cool and sunny. Our breakfast spot was closed, so we went to what had been Louis’ Too for a usual meat and eggs meal, before heading out of town to the Algonquin Outfitters store at Oxtongue Lake. 

Here we were going to rent a cedar-strip, canvas-covered canoe much like the one we own. And, I must say, Algonquin Outfitters was great. They were having a quieter day, so they helped us by taking the canoe down to the dock, putting our gear into it, then helping us get in. What a beautiful canoe! But, unlike ours, this one did not have a keel, so it was tippy. And we had no heavy packs in the bottom to give it ballast. I was in stern, and was anxious. But we were both pleased to be back on the water, and headed off on our way around the point to Ragged Falls (about an hour’s paddle). Fortunately for us, the lake was pretty calm, so the paddling was fairly easy. We went under the highway bridge, around the point with many cottages on it, and up the river to where the falls are situated. 

Like the rest of Southern Ontario, this area has been very dry this summer, and the falls were just a trickle (which barely shows up in the picture). But it was good to get to that point. I was tired—much more then I thought I would be—and we had decided to have our lunch near there. About 100 metres back from the falls was a portage, so we stopped there to eat. Fortunately for us, there was another couple there, who helped us to land the canoe and get out; we were both tired and awkward.

This couple was an older (ie, in their 60’s) couple who had been canoeing for most of their adult lives, and had been all over the place. We had a wonderful conversation with them, comparing notes and ideas. Lunch went quickly.

But then we had to get back in the canoe, which we did with their help, and slowly. It was not long before I began to realize that I was in trouble. I was tired, and found that I was losing my balance as well—not good in a tippy canoe. We had to stop at two or three docks along the way to rest a bit before getting back to the Outfitter’s dock. I had trouble getting out of the canoe, but finally got onto the dock, and with a great effort, got myself  up, and went to get help getting us and the gear out of the canoe and back to the car. The return trip to the outfitter’s was a scary expeience, and a lesson to me that I was not going to be going on a canoe trip anytime soon.

So in the end, we were out in the canoe a grand total of about two and a half hours. So we had some time left in the day, and decided to use it to find and visit Albert Maw, who built our canoe. We Knew he was up Highway 11 in Novar, on a road appropriately named Maws Road. So we drove there, and found the area. There was a workshop, but no one was in it. There were canoes in various stages of repair and building, so it was clearly being used. But no one was present. We went up to the house, and knocked a few times on his door. Eventually, this old man came out and said that he was, in fact, Albert Maw. 

Turns out that he was still working, at the grand age of 87! He talked about building 200 canoes a year when he was in his shop in Huntsville, and that it would take him 60 hours to build each one. He worked six days a week, about 10 hours a day. But, he admitted, he couldn’t do that now. He is asked, and does, repair canoes for one of the camps in the area. He looked hale, and spoke well. I can only hope to be as good if or when I get to 87! It was a short, but lovely visit. 

Then back to Huntsville for a mediocre supper at That Place in town.

And the next day, we were to bike. Where I had not expected problems canoeing, I did expect trouble with the biking. I was wrong on both accounts. We headed to Smoke Lake for the start of the trail, and started in good time (for us). This was a trail described as “easy”, and “suitable for children”. And the trail began innocently enough, but after a few kilometres began to get rough with tree roots and stones in the middle of the trail, bumping and pushing us around. We both had some trouble with this, but Joel had more with his narrower tires. So we decided to truncate the route. Instead of doing the full 18 kms, we stopped at the Lake of Two Rivers to eat our lunches (this was about 13 km along). While we were having lunch, we learned that Queen Elizabeth had died, so there was som sadness (at least on my part).

With the roughness of the riding, we also took longer than expected. So it was good we abbreviated out trip. It still took while a while to get back to our car, and then to Huntsville. A rest, before heading out to our favourite restaurant in town: the Artisan House. We had a very good meal there, went off to the hotel, shared a split of champagne, and went nicely to bed.

The following day was only the ride home, along with a stop for mandatory blueberries.

A good and enlightening trip. 

Perth and Back, Day 3

August 3

We got up in good time, had our breakfast, and went back to the room to pack up. We had decided, with consultation from Richard, to go home entirely on roads, and avoid the rail trail. We were a little worried about the leaving of Perth, going out on Route 6 (the Christie Lake Road), which might be busy and didn’t have a good shoulder.

But, in the end, we felt that was the best route, so headed out. And the traffic cooperated so that we felt safe after all. Lots of time on this road, then onto Althorpe Road (which it turns into) for another few kilometres. So far it was pretty level, and the going was okay. We were feeling pretty good about it. After a while, we turned onto Hannah Road, which seemed to us to be a better and shorter route to the cottage. We even stopped for a lunch which we had bought at the Perth Metro the previous day. We sat on a log at Camp Opemikon (which seemed to be deserted).

Then on along Hanna road to Bolingbroke Road. And here is where we made a mistake. We (I, really) had not looked carefully enough at the map, and Bolingbroke Road actually was what became of Hanna Road. I turned onto the road going in another direction. After taking this over hill and dale for about five kilometres, we came to the rail trail crossing, and we realized we were on the wrong part of the road. So back again to the junction, and we had wiped out our distance advantage.

However, that got us to Crow Lake Road, and the part the Richard had warned us was hilly and under construction. The good news was that the construction was finished. The bad news was that Richard was correct about the hills.

But we did those final, tough, ten kilometres, and finally turned off onto Alf Patterson Road with a great relief. The final kilometre or so into the cottage was, after all the previous, pretty nice. And the cottage was as we had left it. A good meal (complete with bubbly), some reading, and to bed. We were off home the next morning. Today’s trip was 54 km.

Perth and Back, Day 2

August 2

This was out rest day, and what a wonderful day it turned out to be. When we awoke, it was cloudy and a bit cool. But by the time we had had our breakfast, it had warmed to a pleasant temperature. We walked the three blocks to the grocery store to get some provisions for the trip back, the visited a few other stores, before stopping for lunch at a little diner in the main business area.

After that, we had a very pleasant afternoon sitting in Stewart Park, by the Tay River. We read, and after a while, I went for a walk about the park and a bit into town. The sky was a lovely blue, the air was just the right temperature, and life couldn’t have been much better.

Joel and I actually had a swim in their pool. It was really a nice way to cap our day’s adventures. There was also a hot tub, and I enjoyed that.

Dinner was at the hotel, and also quite satisfactory. And an early bed-time, so we could get an early start in the morning.