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**NomadGal** · #1 26 Jul 2014

I'm in Gimli now, and no, I did not just get eaten by the dwarf!

(I think only Lord of the Rings fans will get this joke!)

Anyways, after posting my last RR, I walked back outside to find the heat just blasting me!

Just to show how warm it was, the asphalt was melting!

I headed to Duck Mountain, and hit the dirt fairly soon

It was real easy riding though, nice and solid with not much gravel.
All in all I found the road not too impressive, I had hoped to see more hills and such, but other than a slow incline at times I did not realize I was on a mountain.
The area definitely draws a lot of locals in the summer. There was a huge campground with swimming area in the lake, a playground and such, even a boat ramp.

I didn't stay long as I just wasn't feeling it.
The road through Duck Mountain PP was rather short, and before I knew it I had gone through it.
The last 10 miles or so were freshly grated! I discovered that a certain speed lets you go through that stuff without too much wobble, so I kept plowing on. I've got to get better at riding it!!
One of these days I'd like to ride the Himalayas, and that's really gnarly roads, so I'd better toughen up!!

I stopped at a small gas station on my way east (I think it was in Dauphin) where I got some gas and batteries. I got a shock to find out that in Manitoba the tax is 13% The owner of the gas station, and Indian feller, felt sorry for me, and gave me the batteries for free! Awwwww. We had been talking for a while about my trip and where I was going, and he figured I had to be low on funds.

I kept riding for a while but it was getting darker.
All of a sudden in the corner of my eye, I saw a little gravel road going up and disappearing. I made a quick U-ey and rode up it. It was a gravel pit, or should I say gravel mountain!
I kept riding on the grass around the mountain of gravel and behind it was the perfect camping spot!!

There was a little broken down storage shed or so behind it, with some odds and ends furniture strewn all over the place.
Left and right of the grassy field where barbed wire fences with cows behind them. I felt really safe there so I pitched my tent in the high grass, which is quite a feat really!
I loved my little spot!

I fell asleep in no time and slept really well.
The nice thing about having no time frame is that I can do whatever I want to do, and I didn't want to pack up and move again, so I stayed. Not having shade is a bit of a drag, but that day was really windy, so I sat outside most of the day (and got sunburned) and relaxed.

As I am rather trigger-happy as far as the camera is concerned and decided to snoop around and see what I could find that might be picture worthy.
It's amazing the wealth of beauty one can find in a wild grassy field!

It's funny how I am so used to seeing things at large, but really looking into the little things in life, the things not seen unless really looking, those things are just as amazing as the highest mountain tops and the biggest lakes.
There is so much beauty in the small things, not only that, but every little thing, be it a bug or a small flower, it feels as if I've discovered something never seen by anyone else. Which is both true and silly. Of course people have seen a grasshopper or a nettle flower, but it is also true that nobody will have seen that particular one!
So I really enjoy looking at the world up close, as well as from far away.

I spend a really blissful day there and was ready for another day on the road the next morning when I woke up.
It was drizzling a little so I took my time packing. After a little while the tent dried (there was lots of wind) and the sun came out.
Once back on the road I headed East again. I needed a shower (baby wipes help, but not where your hair is concerned).

As I was riding through Manitoba Narrows, I saw a touristy spot with a store and a huge camping area.
I stopped in the store and asked the guy there if there was a laundromat, and the owner of the store let me use the one in the camp ground.
The washing machine was only a loony and a half!!! Awesome, but best of all, there was a shower in the ladies bathroom!!
And not a coin one, just a normal shower. Yippee!!! I tossed my dirty clothes in the machine and took a nice leisurely shower!! Once clean I scrubbed my jacket, as it was no longer high vis yellow!!!
I spent a long time there, as the dryer did not work too del, and required more coins than the washing machine did.
Still at around 5 my jacket, mu clothes and I were clean!
I had also purchased a bunch of snacks at the store while waiting, so that way I felt I gave them at least some of my money

I hit the road again and was aiming for lake Winnepeg.

As I got to the lake I realized that this might not have been a bright idea. This was a very touristy and populated area!
I went on some dirt roads leading to the lake, but there were no camping signs everywhere!
At one spot I stopped to take a picture, it was beautiful there

I walked through the grass to take another shot, and got assaulted by bugs!!!

I closed my helmet really quickly as I didn't want them in my face.
You can imagine how fast I got out of there!!

I stopped at one camp ground, but it was expensive and too crowded. I didn't realize that it was Friday…..
As I kept going south on 222 toward Gimli I noticed another sign saying Camp Morton Provincial park.
Turns out that the office was back 2 km, and already closed as it was late.
I stopped to ask someone how much the camp ground was, and was told $17. I decided to just stay there.
But now I faced the question where to stay, as the list of sites still available was from the day before.

I got really lucky then, as campsites 9-12 were already taken by a big family gathering, but 9 was still empty as those friends never made it. I was offered to take their spot!
That was so sweet.
Kate made a run to Sobeys and asked if anyone needed something.
I asked if she could pick me up some tofu, and handed her some money.

I pitched my tent and made some dinner.

Fran is the gal who offered the spot to me (in orange shirt), and Kate is the young girl to the left.
Later on we all played a dominoes game (involving trains) It was cool, and I won the second game (beginners luck I guess).

Thousands of dragon flies hovering in the night sky

close up of a bug, the same kind that were on my helmet earlier. Fran told me they only live 24 hrs and don't have a mouth!
Now what would the purpose of their lives be? To live and not eat? Are they only some other bugs food? Very odd!

I went to bed around 11 but had a tough time ring to sleep as a girl started screaming at the top of her lungs, and her dad was cussing at her telling her to stop.
Then he hopped in the truck and left!!!! She screamed even louder for about half an hour. I felt like calling the cops, but had no cell phone reception. She fell asleep after a while, and the dad returned.
I think she was mentally challenged, as her sounds were high pitched and didn't sound like a language at all, as if she couldn't talk.
Still, what a way for a dad to react to a situation like that! (I am guessing it was a dad, if it was a nurse or so, or camp leader, well, I'd have his ass fired!!!)
After she quieted down (it was midnight by then, some campers showed up and pitched their tent next to mine, making a lot of noise and then decided to make a fire and drink. :confused1:
I put some earplugs in and went to sleep!

Today I decided to go into town and find some internet.
I headed to Gimli (which is really a touristy place) and took a bunch of pictures.

This one was definitely my favorite!

There was a little tent site with booths selling all kinds of stuff
This one made me laugh!!!

Hopefully tonight will be quieter, and tomorrow I'm heading to Sellkirk, as I have been told it has a health food store.
Afterward Ontario!!
Yep I am getting closer to Labrador!!

**NomadGal** · #2 28 Jul 2014

I didn't get very far today

Fran and Rick invited me to stay at their place for a night and get a shower etc.
I figured as I still have a ways before it's mid August (trying to meet up with Jettn Jim in Quebec at some point) I would be able to just take my time.

There was a little trail to the beach from the campground

The beach itself was very pretty and the sand soft. In Hawaii the beach is more grainy because of all the small coral pieces.

The gang was having fun while cooking dinner, one of the things was making little animals

I made the giraffe!! It's like lego's, but the legs and neck are little plastic strips you fold into a triangle lengthways

The clouds turned very dark, and before I knew it rain came down hard!!! We all huddled under the motorhome awning, but that didn't do much good.
I crawled back into my tent as soon as it eased off a bit and grabbed my Nook to read.
It was a stormy night, and the lake sounded like a rough ocean with the waves crashing on the shore.
I have to admit that I missed that sound!!! It was so soothing to hear, but the wind on top of that was pretty deafening.
I slept like a log!! (always do when it's stormy) and woke up fairly early.

Was packed up and out of there by 10
The ride to their house was short but it was a nice ride along the coast line

I got myself situated in the camper, which is awesome ( a little home to myself) and went to the local market with Fran.
There were little craft, and produce booths. It wasn't a large market and we didn't spend much time there, but it was neat meeting some local folks.
When we got back to the house Fran took me for a walk around the yard

I can't help it, I just love Lilies!!

Doesn't that look like a little bitty cauliflower in the center??

Then Fran and I went for a short ATV ride around the property.

A genetically correct tin man hanging from a tree, I think his name was Wilson?? LOL

I loved this old stove. I bet cooking on this thing was pretty easy, but I'm guessing your legs would get pretty hot while standing there stirring away.

You can't tell by the photo, but the little pansy is not bigger than your thumbnail!!

I can take my time tomorrow, as I will be visiting an Earth house at noon.
Rick and I got to talking about houses and I told him I really wanted a Hobbit home. He then mentioned there being one only a few miles away, where he did the Electrical wiring.
The home is off the grid, and only has solar for electric and windows for heating in the winter.
Can't wait to see it!!
After that I'm heading toward Sellkirk, where there is a health food store. Running low on Tasty Bites again!
I can't believe how close I am getting to Quebec and Labrador!!
Still, Ontario and Quebec are pretty huge!!

**NomadGal** · #3 29 Jul 2014

I'm in Kenora Ontario right now after an eventful yesterday

Slept in as I had some trouble with mosquitos during the night, LOL, pesky little buggers!
Fran had made some fried green tomatoes in the morning, I had to think of that movie. She cooks outside in the summer so the house doesn't heat up so much. Quite clever! It tasted really good!
Around noon we left to go see the earth house.
It was really close by, which makes it double so funny that I had even mentioned what my future house would look like.
As we turned into their driveway other than their sheds, you could only see a big grassy hill, and an antenna

As we walked around the other side the front of the building came into view

As you can see, it is still a work in progress as they are doing everything their selves (other than the electric) That's Rick in the foreground
The dogs heard us coming and we hoped that we hadn't woken up the baby.

Once you walked into the covered "porch" area, you could feel how hot is was in there. In the winter that would be wonderful!

If it got too hot, there were vents in the ceiling you could open up

A very huge Hibiscus

I didn't take too many pics as I felt it was a little too intrusive. The house was very nice, but there were things I would not do in my place, like a concrete floor.
I'm sticking with my dome plan so far, and other than the dome being built out of three layers of brick with tar in between the layers, and the 4 support walls out of brick, everything else in the house will be out of wood.
It's good to dream right???

I said goodbye to the young woman who showed us the place, to Fran and Rick, and rode toward Selkirk.
As I arrived I happened to see a Safeway there, I decided to stop (gut feeling) and see if by any chance they sold Tasty Bites. The health food store Grandma Carol's didn't.
They didn't have Tasty Bite, but they did have lots of other similar meals

I was in heaven!!

They also had a RedBox, and after a quick google, Yep I had reception again, I found out that Kenora also had a RedBox.
I got two movies, one of them "Winter's Tale" and looked forward to a nice movie night in my tent

I bumped into Fran and Rick again, and told them I had found what I had been looking for.
Finally I hit the road again.
The scenery changed, and no longer was I only on straight roads, there were actually some curves here and there!!

I found an awesome spot at the lake and I had just finished pitching my tent, when an official looking truck appeared……

Crap! I walked up to the rangers and said, it's okay to camp here right??
Both their heads shook no. LOL
We got to talking and asked them where a good legal spot would be. Of course they mentioned the obnoxiously loud and full campground in town, but I told them that there was no way I would ever be able to fall asleep there, and that I was looking for some wilderness camping.
The guy told me that for a "more personalized experience" I could continue for another 14 kilometers and be out of the park, where there were dirt roads that I could go on and camp. LOL, I had to laugh about his phrasing.
I told them I'd be finished in half an hour and they said okay.

It took me indeed half an hour to pack back up, and I was soaked through by that time as it was really hot, in the nineties!

Once back on the road it was only a few kilometers to get into Ontario!! 14 km??? The guy was a tad off.
I kept riding for a while until a dirt road beckoned me. I swung on it and in no time got to a nice cozy spot

There was a sandy track that looked like some ATVs had been riding on.

I had my tent up in a jiffy, eager to try out my new meals and kicking back watching a movie.

Looked like I had parked myself smack-dab in the middle of a huge blueberry field!!
Hmmmm, bears might definitely be around!!

The new food was very spicy!! Had to add a few raisins in the meal and eat some chocolate afterward to quench the burning!! LOL
I packed up all my food, and crawled in the tent to watch my movies. It was heavenly!!
I slept great and woke up around 8.
It's weird, years ago I was a bit of a Keanu Reeves fan, and for some odd reason the last week or so he's been in my dreams.
Then it dawned on me this morning that he grew in Ontario. LOL, what the subconscious mind doesn't drag up in ones dreams!!!

A shot from the other side

I was out of there by 10 and headed to Kenora to return the movies to RedBox.

I was really enjoying the few curves here and there

As I rode into Kenora I noticed a huge white tent in the distance, not sure what it was.
I found the tourist info and got myself a map of Ontario.
Ha, Dryden was like a stone's throw away. Oh well, I guess I won't be meeting DrydenRider54, as he is out of town till Thursday, unless I find some awesome spot to hang out for a couple of days.

I found Safeway and returned the DVDs. I also found aMcD and used their internet. Too bad hardly any of them have electric plugs, so I hope it will be sunny so I can charge my laptop again.
It's almost three and I'm going to hit the road again, but not before saying Thank you sooooo much Geoffrey for putting quite a few full tanks into my Paypal account!!
I'm pretty sure that now I'll actually make it to Newfoundland!!
I'm so glad for everyone's help, you are all making my dream come true!

**Skyliner** · #4 29 Jul 2014

WOW what a fantastic read and journey. I have great respect and admiration.

Ride safe NG.

**Bucket1960** · #5 29 Jul 2014

Excellent read & pics once again NG

Happy trails to you

**NomadGal** · #6 2 Aug 2014

It's Saturday morning almost 8, and I am actually awake, and sitting in a real bed at Finndian's girlfriend's house in Wawa.
I had a great few days since I last posted, so here it goes.
After leaving Kenora I discovered that Dryden is not exactly a stone's throw from Kenora

The road was getting more interesting and had some twists and turns and ups and downs. I did miss that!

I eventually got to Dryden, after having gotten poured on, and took a picture of the downtown sign, just so I could show Dryden-Rider-54 that I'd been there.
I parked at a little rest stop just at the edge of Dryden to lube my chain and to check my tire pressure, there were beautiful flowers planted there, still wet from the rain. I couldn't help but take some pics of them.

After leaving Dryden I was just cruising along when out of the corner of my eye I noticed a street sign

I had to make a U-ey and take a pic. My son's name is Travis, and I'd been missing him.so seeing a street with his name on it was kinda cool. I figured he'd get a kick out of it.

I kept riding for a while and decided at one pint that I'd had enough and wanted to crash. Of course when you are looking for a place to stealth camp, it might take a while at times. I kept turning in here and there, but nothing looked right. I even checked out a few rest stops with tables and such, but all specifically said no camping.
The at the last rest stop road work was going on and they had detoured the entrance. Once I got there I rode up the hill and saw a wonderful little spot. It was late and a few other folks had the same idea as me and had made camp there as well.

I pitched my tent near a table right next to the river and after a quick dinner fell right asleep.

The next morning (I did not get thrown out!) I discovered why the river was that loud!!

just a few yards from where I was camped!

There was even a second one, but hard to see through all the bushes and trees.

Because I had plenty of time before meeting Jettn Jim, I decided to hand there for a day and relax.
There were a lot of folks stopping by that day to see the little waterfall. Towards the end of the day the thought of maybe spending my night in my hammock and hide between the trees, entered my mind.
So I broke camp and set up my hammock so I wouldn't be visible, and also hid Spirit in between the trees.

Not sure if that had been a smart idea!! There were so many mosquitos there that they made me miserable, and I had just lost my repellent. The night turned out to be really cold, high forties and I was really cold in my hammock, as it doesn't have one of those down blankets suspended underneath. I even had my little foam pad in the hammock.
It took a while but I finally fell asleep, woke up in the middle of the night cold, and fell asleep again later.

Yep, hammocks just aren't comfortable for me. I think they are great when it is warm, and when I absolutely can't pitch my tent.
I crawled out fairly early and broke camp in the middle of a sunny patch so I wouldn't get bitten too much.
It took me still more than an hour to get ready, basically because I dragged everything in the sun before packing up.
I was glad to be on the road again, away from those pesky little buggers.

Crossed yet another time zone!!

I was nearing Thunder Bay, and rode the scenic route past Kakabeka Falls. I had been there with my kids years ago when they were little, (touring for three weeks in an SUV camping all the way).

I spent a while in Thunder bay buying more food for the road and mosquito repellent, even found Off botanicals, a lotion with Eucalyptus oil and no Deet! I also had to get a phone top up card, as my bank had put a hold on my account because I'd forgotten to mention that I was going to Canada.
Thunder Bay was a tad too crowded for me, so I hurried on out of there.

I found another little rest stop, and cooked dinner there. I was really hungry and figured that this way I could just pitch my tent somewhere and crash without having to haul my cooking gear out.
I was tempted to stay there as it was quiet and remote, but I had wanted to put a few more miles on, so I could meet up with Finndian in Wawa at a decent time the next day.

It was getting darker, and my camera takes odd pixels pics when it gets darker.

I ran into another rest stop at the lake, and noticed another camper there as well. There were no signs there that I couldn't camp, so I pitched my tent in a remote corner next to the water. It had gotten dark by now and as soon as I was done, it started raining as well. Boy, talk about perfect timing!!
I slept like a baby with the sound of the rain and the lapping of small waves agains the shore.

The morning sun looked awesome on the lake

Tent view from the lake

The sun was right in my lens, so it looks a little weird but still cool

I left fairly early, but had to pack a wet tent as the dew and the rain make both sides wet! I figured I'd put it up at Finndian's place.
The road toward Wawa was awesome! I even saw a sign to some falls and even though it said boardwalk closed due to painting I went there anyways. There was no painter there and the ropes had been removed, so I went down the boardwalk anyway.

It was worth the little hike and ignoring the signs

I stopped at a rest stop to eat some chips I had bought earlier and rest a bit.

Amazing to see Fireweed all the way here as well. If you look closely you'll see I even got a bee in the pic

I'm guessing there are beavers in the area!

I made it to Wawa and found Finndian's work place (after my GPS sent me somewhere else), he had given me the address. Turns out his shop has ATV, skidoos, and a couple of used bikes. Awesome!
I asked if I could borrow an oil pan so I could change moil, and he gave me one.
Changed my oil in no time and to my delight discovered an absolutely clean oil filter!!! not a sliver or grain of dirt in it!! I don't think I've ever had the filter this clean when changing my oil! I was so happy to see that!!

Gord (Finndian) closed his shop at five and we went over to his girlfriend Mary-Ann. She rides as well, and it is always great to meet another woman who rides!! His mom came over later with his youngest daughter and we had a very nice dinner together. His mom is quite a traveler herself, so here we were, a bunch of nomads sitting at the table.
Mary-Ann and I spend a while talking about riding and life, it's funny how many things we had in common. She is a do-it-herselfer too.

I took a nice bath and crashed in her son's bed who wasn't there.
I slept great but woke u early (forgot to lose curtains) I'm glad though, cause now i could do my ride report before I leave.
Gord and Mary-Ann are leaving today with the kids to go camping in Michigan, so I am glad I had the chance to meet them before they left.

Now I'm slowly heading toward a place where I'm to meet Jim. It's the start of a dirt road heading toward a small lake that I had picked out to meet at.
Gord told me about a nice side road that avoids Sault Saint Marie, and that has some nice camping. So I am heading there today.

**Oldsilverfox** · #7 3 Aug 2014

Great pictures and RR. Hope you enjoyed your ride on the north shore of Superior (other than the mossies). Say safe.

**Rob Hall** · #8 2 Dec 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by NomadGal