As I head toward the storm clouds ...
Well, I have been pretty lucky with the weather. My biggest concern was getting over the Rockies without any snow because I only have all season tires. Aside for some wet snow in Banff, I made it through the mountains safely. It actually started getting colder and calling for snow the day I left Canmore.
Approaching the Ontario border - bye bye prairies
So driving through Saskatchewan was uneventful but the last town on the Trans Canada that I came to, which I can’t remember the name of, was full of seismic contractors and all the motels were full. So exhausted, I was forced to continue on my drive all the way to Brandon, Manitoba where I beat a busload of basketball players to the hotel to finally collapse in exhaustion.
My last video of my Cross Country Drive
Then onward to Ontario. I was so excited reaching Ontario thinking I was almost home only to realize that I was only half way – my goodness – Ontario is a BIG province. So I thought I would spend the night in Thunder Bay but that city is weird and spread out and the hotels were not cheap. I was so surprised. So I decided to carry on. It was just becoming dusk. What a mistake that was. The rain and wind started in earnest. Gusts up to 60 km/hour. It got dark fast despite the full moon. It was a white knuckle drive to Nipigon – 1 1/2 hours. Darkness, high winds, rain, glare off the road, construction so no lines on the road and bit transport trucks bearing down on me. Was I glad to find the LAST motel room in Nipigon. Wow. But coming over the top of Lake Superior was spectacular. You could almost believe it was the ocean with 10 foot high waves crashing on the shore. It was just amazing.
Ahhh, the incredible Canadian Shield
So the next day started a little later as I was becoming increasingly tired due to lack of sleep and poor sleeps. I knew I could make Toronto if I really pushed it but decided that that was stupid so I just headed for Sudbury. It is amazing how that last hour of a drive can take forever. So I had a good sleep in Sudbury and finally made it home to my Mother’s at 2 pm Sunday. Then I had the joy of unpacking the car and sorting through my stuff. This I am still doing. But I don’t think I will drive across Canada anytime again soon.
The amazing Lake Superior
I’m glad that you chose to drive through our beautiful country of ours instead of the US in order for you to share pictures and insights. I’m sure that this road trip is one of your items to cross off your bucket list, right?
Yup – can now say I have been through those provinces. I am glad I did it too.