While I was still in Argentina, I interviewed (thank you Skype) and was offered a job as the Equipment Manager for the Yukon Branch of NOLS, the National Outdoor Leadership School. Being pretty poor from travelling and eager for more adventure, I decided that a this may pose a good excuse for a cross-Canada road trip! I'm accompanied by my photographer and road companion, Dan for the whole trip (assuming we don't kill each other some where along the way!). We're trying to take some time to see some parks and do some hiking along the route, with a few visits with family and friends. I'll try to keep touch with where we are and send along some photos so you can see the places we're visiting.
To begin, Dan and I packed up the trusty Echo (Gus) and I was pretty pleased with how un-stuffed he ended up. Two bikes, camping gear and a few bags of clothes and we were off at the crack of 4pm! So, we opted to spend the night in Kinburn ON (a grueling 50min drive) with Chris, Kelly and their new addition, a German short-haired pointer named Poppy. She's pretty sooky and very, very sweet. A pretty strong storm came through mid-supper, so I was pretty glad we had refuge in their house.
After a pancake breakfast and a little more Poppy time, we hoped in the car and made it as far as Fairbanks Provincial Park, just outside of Sudbury near the town of Whitefish ON. We had planned to stay at an earlier park, but it was still closed for the season and gated just off the highway. Fairbanks was closed too, but we were able to drive pretty far in and find a suitable tent spot at one of the day beach sites. It was pretty chilly with the wind off the lake, but pretty and quiet.
To begin, Dan and I packed up the trusty Echo (Gus) and I was pretty pleased with how un-stuffed he ended up. Two bikes, camping gear and a few bags of clothes and we were off at the crack of 4pm! So, we opted to spend the night in Kinburn ON (a grueling 50min drive) with Chris, Kelly and their new addition, a German short-haired pointer named Poppy. She's pretty sooky and very, very sweet. A pretty strong storm came through mid-supper, so I was pretty glad we had refuge in their house.
After a pancake breakfast and a little more Poppy time, we hoped in the car and made it as far as Fairbanks Provincial Park, just outside of Sudbury near the town of Whitefish ON. We had planned to stay at an earlier park, but it was still closed for the season and gated just off the highway. Fairbanks was closed too, but we were able to drive pretty far in and find a suitable tent spot at one of the day beach sites. It was pretty chilly with the wind off the lake, but pretty and quiet.
The next day, six hours of driving got us to Lake Superior Provincial Park. We did make a stop for lunch on the waterfront/boat launch in Bruce Mines ON and a little walk around the docks.
The drive into Lake Superior was pretty gorgeous with a lot of the scenery looking similar to the Cape Breton Highlands.
The park was closed too, but we parked in the parking lot and made good use of the outdoor ampitheatre's stage for a tent pad.
The weather seemed a lot warmer and we were able to enjoy supper cradled in our senate seats on the park road, with the late day sun beaming down on us and watching the waves crash onto the beach. Sweet.
It was a might bit colder this morning though, with frost on the ground. We're now in Wawa ON and there are flurries outside! Yipes!
I can't upload any photos here, but Dan did snap a couple of really nice shots that we'll share as soon as I can get to a suitable computer centre. Our goal for today is to get to Pukaskwa National Park, about 2hrs north of Wawa ON. Maybe the park will be open. Probably not :)
More stories from the road to follow!
