Heading on from Thessalon

A lot has happened since we left The Natural Building Institute on Manitoulin Island.

Cycling the rest of Manitoulin was lovely and the north east end of the island was incredibly scenic. We were met with views of lakes and forested hills all day. In the afternoon we crossed the bridge at Little Current. We cycled through the La Cloche mountains, went on a blueberry picking adventure and by nightfall were in Espanola.

We spent the night at Milton's place. A very genrous and interesting older gentleman, he told us stories of his travels in Mexico. He also gave us maps and dried beans to help us on our jouney.

In the morning we set off for Spanish. We stopped for lunch in Massey and were donated bread and fixings by Shanks Freshmart. We met Marcel, a man from France, who was riding across Canada to raise funds for disabled children. We also met a Spanish man who was in the process of cycling around the world. Everyone left town feeling well fed and encouraged for the afternoon of riding.

When we arrived in Spanish, we were offered a place to stay: a tipi at the Trading Post in Serpent River First Nation. They were very friendly and let us use their small cafe to make dinner. In the morning they gave us all hats.

Then we were on our way to Blind River - a bit of a windy ride. An afternoon stop at Wilson's Market Garden in Algoma Mills refreshed us and we had our first taste of Ontario peaches. They also had a great bulk section! We camped at the Boom Camp Trails in Blind River. There was a gorgeous little harbour, beach and a place to make a fire. We entertained the idea of stopping here permenantly.

Last night we stayed at Auld Kirk in Thesselon, after a very windy ride. The buiding, a church constructed in 1900, is run as a community music centre and informal movie theatre. We had the fortune to meet the owner and were treated to a screening of Paul Simon live in South Africa, just before apartheid nded and Mandela was released.

Today we are hoping to make it to Sault Sainte Marie to stay at Velorution, an awesome bike centre where they offer free camping to cycle tourers. We hope the wind will be at our backs today!

Kristi