Day 52 - Serpent River to Birch Island

107.8 km - Total so far 4,525.73 km - http://ridewithgps.com/trips/5732116

The scenery was not much from Serpent River to Massey.  For a while we had seen signs warning motorists to watch for horses and buggies. We finally got to see two of them with one obviously going somewhere away from the farm as hay was carried in the back for the horse.

One of the strangest things to ever happen to us took place this morning. A car heading West stopped on the side of the road and a man got out, walked across Hwy 17 and as we got close asked where we were going and that he wanted to buy us breakfast.  We declined and thanked him just the same, thinking it was a bit strange.  However when we passed the restaurant he mentioned there already was a cyclist there so maybe he got to him or her breakfast.

If you like your VW bus why not supersize it.

As we got to Massey, we finally got to leave Hwy 17 after more than 1,440 km and not a moment to soon. We took the Lee Valley road to Espanola. It added a few kilometer but what a relief it was to ride without heavy traffic and the constant rumble of car and truck noise. This morning was the first time we had to deal with so much traffic on Hwy 17.

Such a change from looking only at trees and traffic

Massey did not have the usual small town murals that he have come to expect but it did have a motel with murals of its own and sculptures. We do see some unusual things.

Not many customers but some unusual art work

That was me before I found cycling. This sculpture probably scares the minivan crowd away.

Who would not want to stay at a motel that features a unicorn and a mermaid

We got to Espanola in good time but between coffee at McDonald's, visits to LCBO, Giant Tiger and grocery shopping we had killed 2 hours. At the grocery store while Hélène was buying groceries, I was busy in the pharmacy section looking for an alternative product to replace our very difficult to find Chamois Butter. After reading the labels and ingredients on many skin care products, I settled on Udderly Smooth Cream. The picture we posted yesterday shows Hélène holding a tube and one of you identified it as a possible replacement product for Chamois Butter. It will have to be tested first and see how it performs.

They had an older guy for sale at Giant Tiger. I hear he is pretty good going up hills on a bike now

Some of you have asked for information on the food we eat, facilities, etc. A page will be written by Hélène about the food, we will let you know when it is posted.

With all our shopping done, we got on Hwy 6 towards our campground 32 km away. The change in scenery was significant. Lots of uphill, downhills, lakes and waterfalls a major change from Hwy 17. We got to the 34 km mark and no sign of our campground. At Birch Island, we asked for directions and were told another 13 minutes which works out to about 20 km. We figured that would put us at or near Little Current. We decided we had enough and stopped in Birch Island for the night.

Loads of fun going uphill and downhill

Look at the view...you could swear you are in the Rockies foothills

Windy weather along the way

No real campground per say but a marina were the owner usually doesn't take transient people but since we were on bikes he made an exception. This turned out to be one of the best if not the best camp site we ever had. We were on a point of land that extended onto the bay and we had an incredible view all around. It was very windy and this kept the bugs away. We also had the privilege of sharing that bit of real estate with a female duck and her 7 ducklings. They were comfortable with humans and let us get close to them. 

It was a bit chilly with the high winds but what a treat.

Helenking again :-)e cooking 

Our neighbours