I started late, which was no biggie since I was only headed to Dryden, a mere 140km away. However, that sweet tailwind had left me and while the day was short in distance it was long in time. I stopped for my French Toast breakfast before leaving Kenora and began the long roller-coaster of ups and downs that make up the Canadian sheild.
The marshy landscape and sickly looking black-spruce were almost depressing, except that the sun was shining. The wind was unfortunately in my face most of the day and so speeds were slower than I had hoped. While I stopped for lunch (the best perogies I’d had since mom made them with Aunty Joan and Nana), I met an older gentleman in his late 60s who was cycling across Ontario.
His girlfriend would drive the car down the road a ways (say 40km) and when he got to her they would judge how much farther he could go. It was a good system since he needn’t carry any gear and had someone looking out for him. I was glad he didn’t ask to ride with me since he was considerably slower but I was encouraged by his gusto. I hope to be in the same kind of shape when I am his age. “Bon Courage!”
When I got to Dryden I found out it was the home of Chris Pronger, and not much else. The town is dominated by a towering Weyerhauser plant that is visible from miles away. I couldn’t even get celphone reception! They havesome local telephone company that runs the communications in the area and it is severly lacking.
Dryden is a real hunter/sportsman town with groups of overweight middle-aged men talking loudly over a few too many beers. Perhaps I am being uncharitable though since I was so eager to leave I rented a car.
My foot became enflamed from when I stubbed it in Winnipeg. The wound had bled at the time so I wasn’t overly concerned but it seemed to have gotten infected. I spoke to the National (Tilden) rep on the phone and booked a car for an astonishing $61.24 one way to Thunder Bay. Well the next morning it seems that the rep made a mistake. The rental was $61.24 provided I didn’t actually move the car! They normally charge $0.40/km which would have brought the rental up to almost $200! But I got it for the first price and drove to TB.
On the way I stopped to look at these wonderful falls.
And these falls, which legend has it that a maiden from one tribe was captured and forced to lead the enemy to her people’s village. But as a trick she lead them down this river and over the falls sacrificing herself. It is said that you can still here the cries and curses of the doomed men in the roaring of the falls and see her dance in it’s mist.
I am currently at the local hostel which is actually the Confederation College residences. I went to the doctor this morning and got the cut bandaged up (I hadn’t done anything but put a sock on.) and a tetinus shot Hopefully it will be cleared up by tomorrow when I continue the journey homeward.