An Englishmen at English River

Climbed away from the city of Thunder Bay after a day of rest. Believed that i was on route 102 which the map looked like it would cut route 17 off and reduce the distance as I headed towards Winnipeg. Funnily the road was quiet and it took longer than the map suggested to meet the 17 that I began to doubt my 'oh so clever route choice' of getting out of Thunder Bay. Was scared I'd gone the wrong way....even though i was heading westward as the early morning sun had created the shadow of a touring cyclist in front of me to perpetually chase but not catch....

Once again though needing to hold the faith I found said mentioned route 17 and my sense of certainty and intent grew now firmly riding on the route across western ontario, with lake superior dissappearing into the distance behind me. As the afternoon began the wind got stronger into my face and I was being slowly pummeled by a long stepped climb up towards a small indian reserve called raith. The climbing was explained to me at Raith with a sign announcing that we had entered the Arctic watershed meaning that everything from now on flows not to Superior but to the Arctic circle.

Luckily after Raith the road flattened and I can still make good time towards Upsala. Here I had thought that I would stop for the evening but with only a small convenience store to welcome me into 'town' I decide to carry on through towards English River (another 50 kilometres further) with only a few more swigs of water left in my bottle.

An hour and a half later and I began to see signs for motels in English River but when I get there I am crushed to find that both Motels are closed. It is past 6pm and I am exhausted with little food and no water so am faced with camping wild or seeking some help from the two houses that make up the rest of this place!

I ask for water and explain my situation to the lady who comes to the door, low and behold they have an impromptu campsite out back. I set up shop (doing my ministry of silly walks body movements during the process to ward off mosquitos and sand flies and within 20 minutes and in Ron and Fran's house sharing photos from our respective collections sharing observations of the things I've seen. All this whilst munching on cheese sandwiches made by Fran!

Apparently it has been 190km from Thunder Bay...I have pushed back my daily limits. I wonder how my legs will feel tomorrow?

Ron shows me photos of him catching bears (not good for the morale when you are about to sleep outside) but he sends me off into the dusk with a bear joke and a smile....

The joke goes "there are lots of bears around here so make sure you have your bear bell and pepper spray handy just in case. You can tell if bears have been around because of their droppings. They are rounded in shape.....the smaller ones are of the babies.....you can tell whether larger bears have been about because their droppings are bigger and if you look carefully you can normally see in them bear bells and cans of pepper spray!"

Thanks Ron