#125 Jul 2015 Homeward Bound

When we left Woodstock, time dictated that we head west by the quickest route which was through the northern States to Manitoba.

On the west coast and the Fraser River we are used to miles of train cars, freighters and log booms. They are a normal part of our coastal lives.

 

On this trip we first encountered the St. Lawrence River in Quebec City. We saw freighters on the river but didn’t pay much attention to them.

 

Again, in Brockville we saw freighters on the same river and even further from the ocean.

We crossed into the US from Sarnia, Ontario to Port Huron, Michigan.

That gave us our first glimpse of Lake Huron - and more freighters.

Now something started to click. We were hundreds of miles from the ocean and still seeing freighters. In western Canada there are no lakes big enough for freighters. This was another time where we understood something we had only read about – the St. Lawrence Seaway and the vastness of the Great Lakes.

Driving accross Michigan we saw Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. At that point we had seen all of the Great Lakes on this trip (Lake Ontario and Lake Erie while we were in Ontario).

We crossed the top of Wisconsin and spotted local industry with a Canadian connection.

In Minnesota we didn’t see a campground on our route until near Grand Rapids. As we were wondering what we might find for the night we passed Sal’s Campground. It was not on any map or list that we had but we were ready to stop. Ralph found a place to turn around and we went back to find a small campground beside a lovely lake.

The manager saw me photographing the lake in the evening. 

He suggested the view was even better in the morning when the mist was still on the lake. What a beautiful, unexpected, unplanned morning.

After the sun has risen the final treat swam out from under the pier.

Rugby, North Dakota is the Geographical Center of North America. We were in the “middle” of our trip.

We crossed from North Dakota into Manitoba at the International Peace Garden.

In 1932 an estimated 50,000 people attended the opening of the International Peace Garden which celebrates the peaceful coexistence of Canada and the United States of America.

Until 1982, the focus of the International Peace Garden was its gardens and the vast open skies that mark the openness of the 49^th parallel.

The Peace Towers were built in 1982 to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Garden. On the crest of a hill on the 49^th parallel, the set of towers were erected as a symbol of peace that reaches across the longest undefended border in the world.

  

The original formal botanical garden leads the eye directly to the Peace Towers.

The Peace Chapel provides a calm site for contemplation about what peace means to each of us.

 

The walls provide introspective quotes from the famous to the anonymous.

This is one of over 8,000 cairns that mark the 49^th Parallel. The boundary “vista” is cleared to a 20 foot/6 metre width through forested areas. More than 5,525 miles/8,891 kms of land and water boundaries are kept clear of obstructions.

The Interpretive Centre houses a Conservatory with over 6,000 thriving cacti.

This cacti feature hints at the 2,339 acres of prairie wilderness adjacent to the Gardens in Manitoba and North Dakota.

#124 Jul 2015 Yes, I "Flew" the Airplane!

Our next destination was Woodstock Ontario. We debated about taking the 401 highway or paying the toll to bypass Toronto. The 401 was no problem! After passing Toronto we stopped at a rest area to absorb the fact that we had driven the 401 with an RV towing a car for a total of 54 feet in length.

Richard and Linda welcomed us to their home and the church parking lot. Eikle and Sheila, Keith and Pauline also arrived. We met new friends whom we had previously known only via Skype during LME meetings. A fun evening getting to know one another.

Richard is a private pilot and a member of the Woodstock Flying Club. 

He offered to fly us over Woodstock and really get to know their neighbourhood. Richard is a careful, experienced pilot and we lifted off the grass runway on a beautiful, sunny evening.

 

After a few minutes Richard asked if I would like to fly the plane. Well, I was in the co-pilot seat!

With some trepidation I passed the camera to Ralph and prepared to learn – quickly. I took the “wheel” and learned how easily the plane responded to every little movement. Ralph was seated directly behind me and could not move enough to use the camera but the response of the plane is engraved on my brain. Fantastic!

The fields and city were beautiful in the evening light.

We flew over Richard and Linda’s home and the church parking lot. We spotted our motorhome. A very special view!

Ralph had been concerned about signs of wear on the right front tire of the motorhome. Richard went the extra mile to find a mobile technician. Finally, the third person had the right tools and the front tires were switched left and right. Ralph heaved a sigh of relief and thanked Richard profusely.

We have been to Niagara Falls previously but couldn’t be so close and not experience the thrill again. The spray from the falls can be seen and felt long before seeing the falls.

 

The Canadian Falls are as spectacular as we remembered.

The International Bridge can be seen beyond the American Falls.

 

Towards evening the rainbows were impressive.

We never tire of the beauty of Niagara Falls.

Riding the Incline Railway was a must to get up the hill and back to our car.