We left the Great Plains behind, (good song here) sad about that, nodded at the 100th meridian, and continued east (most of those nineteenth century settler wagons went the other way – ever the contrarians our wagon is a Tacoma – many horses carrying our camp kitchen loaded with various tinned and dried goods…) aiming for Ontario and the north woods. A land of lakes and trees. And lakes and trees. And lakes and trees.
For this stage of our trip, the cool and groovy mixtape DJ had spent ages curating an appropriate track list. Or he just downloaded a comprehensive Tragically Hip essentials playlist from Apple. Forget the details, it worked and that’s the main thing.
The best Ontario driving day for me on this trip – and there were many days as Ontario is quite large – was the stretch east of Thunder Bay to Kapuskasing. Rolling hills covered with trees, lakes every three seconds, and if there wasn’t a lake, then a river or wetland, glimpsed through the trees. The entire day was one beautiful sight after another. The roads were pretty good, better than I’d expected, mostly empty and that made for a great drive. Gosh, that lake was pretty! Through the next bend and surprise, gosh this lake is pretty. And so on. Loved it! All in for this patch of Canada. Fully Completely.
If not for the destination further east in mind, we might have been tempted to slow down and hang out for longer in the Ontario north woods. We’re already planning some camping trips for another time – it really was spectacular country!
The road is calling, so we’ll leave it here – or back there, in lovely northern Ontario, with Gord and the boys on the radio. Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
The 100th meridian, where the Great Plains begin? “I remember, I remember buffalo…” Diggin the Hip references; I miss them greatly. Looking forward to reading about your Ontario adventures! Speaking of Ontario, I started re-reading a short story that I had enjoyed long ago, Algernon Blackwood’s “The Wendigo,” a weird little tale about a native American deity terrorizing a small hunting party, set in the north woods of said province.
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Thanks, Bob! Yep, greatly missed, but Gord left us a wonderful collection of albums to enjoy.
I like tales about the Wendigo, so the Blackwood story has been ordered from the library and I’m looking forward to reading (and learning from it to avoid any encounters out there…)
Never spent any time anywhere in Ontario before, and will certainly be putting that right in the future – beautiful backcountry!
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Oh, the trees and lakes are so plentiful and marvelous! I have planned to go to Jasper again this year because I missed a couple of spots last time but maybe next year I will go to northern Ontario as well as visit family in cottage country in the Haliburton Highlands. Did you stop at Kakabekka falls or the Kawartha Dairies? Does Scout travel the distances well? I wish you a great journey.
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This was my first time anywhere in Ontario – beautiful backcountry and I’ll be adding your recommendations for future trips – thanks, Jane! (Scout has done well – we stop regularly for leg stretches, and, so far, whenever we stop it’s been by a lake, in trees, somewhere grassy, so Scout’s very happy! As for the driving, she’s either asleep, or nose in the wind at the cracked window!)
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The land of the Group of Seven. I have yet to go to Northern-western Onatario, I hear it’s beautiful. It sure sounds like it. Travel well friend.
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It’s the paintings come to life! I often find some of the paintings slightly dark or ominous, not too surprising given the wildness of some of the places, but it wasn’t like that on the bright spring days we enjoyed. Utterly beautiful, definitely worth traveling through (and staying awhile another time) and we’ll return to explore!
Thanks, Kelly, and enjoy the week ahead!
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Thank you. Enjoy it for me too. I’m loving your adventures.
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Love the photos and this part of the road trip!! It’s been fun reading about your adventure and learning more about Canada as I look up all these new places. Lake Superior is my favorite of the Great Lakes and the North Woods looks like a wonderful place to visit. So many questions about your travels, but most importantly what does Scout think of the road trip and camping?! How is it that I missed The Tragically Hip over the years (I’ve added the essentials playlist to check them out). Thankfully our little heat wave is over and I hope you’re still encountering good weather to go along with the good tunes from the “groovy mixtape DJ.” Looking forward to seeing and reading more about your incredible adventure!!
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Thank you! Scout loves it so far, as we stop frequently, and often it’s been at a lake, or in the woods etc. She’s happy in the truck, as she should be with her memory foam cushion taking up 90% of available cab space… With the windows cracked she’s nose up, and if not, she’s sleeping! Until the next snack stop!
Ontario backcountry we traveled through is beautiful, and having The Hip playing is pretty good accompaniment!
Cooled off late last week and I think we’re in for a few rainy days this coming week – let’s see how we handle that (ok in a cabin, but we’ve some tent time next week – rain, and Scout’s enormous cushion? Hmm…)
Have a great week!
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Happy travels in that beautiful North Country, pc! I look forward to reading more about it. Keep Scout posted for those rascally Wendigos at night. I’ve read about those Ontario critters, as Bob has.
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We’ve some tent time coming up, hopefully a little south of traditional Wendigo territory? Not too sure of their range, but Scout will see us right! (The same Scout who once slept when a bear wandered by mere feet from our door but unleashes canine fury upon seeing a deer…) A tent, Scout, and something rustling in the woods – I sense broken nights ahead, not helped if I’ve caught up with the Wendigo tale Bob recommended…
Thanks, Walt, and enjoy your week ahead!
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Oh boy did I ever enjoy all the lakes and trees on this roadtrip, pc. Chuckled at Scout’s offended face and marveled at your’s and Mrs. PC’s travel spirits and grand adventure. Thanks for taking us along and good luck on the roads ahead.
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Thanks, Jet! Scout’s forgiven me, and we’re back on speaking terms. Glad you enjoyed this one – we loved our brief time in northern Ontario, and will visit again.
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