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Greg and TerryAug 20, 2009
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Thursday August 20th
It was a wet pack up this morning. Terry’s tarp came in really handy to protect the tents from overnight rain, of which there was no shortage. Passersby commented that it appears this isn’t the first time we’ve set up a camp tarp. Piece of cake now after all that practice in Algonquin Park over the years.
As easy as it is to complain about the weather we have to admit that we both enjoy falling asleep to the sound of rain dancing on the tent, or tarp in this case. Just let everything be sunny and dry in the morning is all I ask.
Breakfast started with a cup of hot chocolate from some packets I’d lifted at some point from one of the more lofty motels we’ve stayed in. Terry whipped up some chicken and rice which was really tasty. I followed up with an mushroom and cheese omelette which sucked. It’s been a good lesson on which freeze dried meals are keepers for future reference and which should be left on the shelf at MEC.
Got away around noon I’m guessing although neither of us has a watch. August has pretty much been the only time point necessary. Writing these blog entries gives me the opportunity to check the system clock which often throws me off due to varying time zones. Back on E.S.T. now and it’s still August.
The traumatic trio started this journey on quite an eclectic group of bikes. John on an Easy Rider style, me on a On/Off road style, and Terry on a Police Special Sport Tourer. Having ridden these roads before on a similar bike I’ve encouraged Terry to blast ahead when he got the urge and enjoy the curvy path they offer. They’re the kind of roads those bikes are built for, so he has on many occasions, this afternoon included.
Ooops! That old cast-in-stone road rule of no picture didn’t happen thing reared it’s ugly head again. Terry went blasting off through the mist manhandling these lovely Lakehead roads while I was stuck behind a truck with no passing opportunity. Next time I see my riding mate he’s sitting on his bike at the side of the highway in front of a recent model and rather stylish dark sedan with flashing lights in the windows. Just ride by I thinks to myself but of course couldn’t resist turning around to see what was up. Looked like they were having a somewhat personal chat so I left Terry looking for his paperwork and the bald headed cop standing in the rain saying I’d meet him at the first coffee shop in the next town of Marathon.
As I was pulling away Terry didn’t appear to be in any rush finding his papers perhaps wondering if a little rain might generate some top growth on the cop’s glowing melon much like that of the old Chia Pets. He told me after that the cop asked if I had trouble keeping up with him on my little bike. Bucking for a job at the Border I’m guessing.
Hah I say anyway to that line of humour. Terry’s gettin’ a ticket (no picture dammit) and the little cop’s getting soaked. Me, I’m in having a tea and doughnut. Can’t keep up eh! Turtle and the hare my friends, turtle and the hare. Maybe Terry should try the no picture defense in front of a judge. What do you think? Then maybe we’ll see if it happened or not.
For a change it rained all day today. Nonetheless, the scenery along the lake is beautiful and we logged just shy of 700 km. Wildlife viewing was limited to one Coyote (me) and a few deer (Terry). He’s been lucky. Tuesdays black bear crossed the road ahead of the car in front of Terry and tonight the deer did the same thing. Lot’s of moose in the area and visibility was piss poor so the last 45 minutes wasn’t all that much fun. There, I said it.
We got to Sault St.-Marie around 10:00 p.m. and picked the first motel available. This one is actually a Mo el. Neon signs. They die one letter at a time it seems. Go figure. Internet didn’t really work well so I’m keying this offline and will upload the past few days with pics in the morning over breakfast at the restaurant.
As soon as we got settled into the room I called an old friend Dave Bishop who lives in Orillia to see if we could crash at his place tomorrow night. No problem was the answer so this will be our last motel stay for the trip. Yey!
Dave and I go as far back as possible. Our mothers were in the hospital at the same time and we were back door neighbours for many years. He’s 6 days younger than I am and never lets me forget it. Until his family moved to Toronto we literally lived at each others houses. Even while in Toronto I’d go there for a month in the summer and he’d come to Ottawa for a month. Then he moved to Newfoundland for 10 years and the mid/late teenage years happened for both of us. Lots more I could tell you about Dave but suffice to say that I’ve known the man a long long time.
I love that we’re still great friends and see each other a couple of times a year. Comforting to know that we’d be there for each other at the drop of a dime. I feel extremely lucky to have friends like that. I’ve been doing some riding lately with two other guys that fit that description. Better stop now before I start getting all misty.
Terry and I opted for the late serving of dinner in our room tonight which consisted of a hearty Beef Stew with Mashed Potatoes (keeper) and Apple Betty Cobbler (keeper) with Earl Grey tea for dessert. Clear and Present Danger with Harrison Ford was playing on the tube so it was Dinner and a Movie.
Dinner’s done and the movie is over. Good night.
