Thunder Road June 21st

Thunder Road June 21st

Morning started unexpectedly at 7 am compliments of the previous Comfort Inn Room 243 resident. Brett couldn't find a way to turn the alarm off so he just put the pillow over his head and went back to sleep. I couldn't as well but I did find how to turn it off station. Now I was awake and no one else was.

I spent a relaxing morning taking a shower, checking my mail, had breakfast with a nice couple from Oshawa and read the paper. By 10:30, I figured my young sleeping beauties where rested enough for the long run to Thunder Bay. By 11 we were fueling up with high test gas and highly nutritious snacks.

With Kyle at the wheel, and Brett in the self proclaimed 'Shotgun Seat', we left the 69 and pointed down the 17 across the top of Huron to Sault Ste Marie on the first leg of the day.
The road is generally good, with passing lanes every 10 k or so. I took it as my job to limit Kyle to only passing there. He is very comfortable with the van and is a good driver, but no reason to take chances pulling a trailer.
Two hours into the drive, the generation gap closes some at Kyles request. Instead of 3 different MP3 player going in unison, Kyle turns off his and asks to listen to mine. Now don't think the taste gap closes completely as I accommodate his whining by skipping past J Lo. As the small towns, gentle rivers and Amish wagons pass by, I think I detected a head bob in tune to the music.

We stopped in Sault Ste Marie to stretch our legs. We decided that since Thunder Bay was still 688 km away and it was 4pm, we weren't likely going to make it tonight. A walk through ARP & Walmart to assess the cultural essence of the Sault (and empty our bladders) , encouraged us to press on.

We hit the road again, listening to the Brett Miester's IPod. Unlike the Edmond Fitzgerald, we are ''able to put 15 more miles behind'' us. Whitefish Bay passes to our left under sunny skies.

Not 60 seconds later, I catch a flash out of the corner of my eye of Class 4 Whitewater. Kyle sees it too and he pulls a U'ie. Blinded by the trailer, I trust no 18 wheeeler is barreling down on us. My nervousness is replaced with amazement as another line in the ballad comes to life '' from the Chippawa on down to the Great Lake". Photo op, a chance to stretch our legs and smell the mist off the falls.

Shady Rest Motel and Pancake Bay are tied for first place in the 'Best Name Contest'. Wish we were going by way of Cheboygan. We can do better.

We play 'peek a boo' with Superior for hours as we wind north west toward Wawa on leg 2. The scenery is spectacular, a mix between the Bras d'or Lake & South Shore.

Wawa was a wash. One mother of a goose and a couple of gas stations. Kyle described it as Ontario's Siberia. We decided to go for leg 3 and end the marathon drive in the Village of Marathon 180 km farther west. I took over the driving to give Kyle a break. Must have counted 500 mini Inukshuks on the drive. Every boulder or crop or rock had one or more. We arrived in Marathon to what I can best describe as Deliverance North of 40. God, I can't believe Ontario makes fun of the east with this Goelier Haven in their own backyard.

Back on the road for 30 minutes to find a 2 star hotel near an LCBO. I think we deserve it.

Don't drink and drive.

U Haul.. so.... We Haul June 20th

Morning came @ 6:30 as Kyle was up finishing off a job that he worked on through the night. We had to pick up the trailer at 8am in case there was problem with the hitch and wiring. Brett choose to stay and sleep.







Kyle and I headed off to North York at 7:30, picked up a coffee and sausage sandwich alone the way, arriving at Jackie and Harold"s as they were opening up. A couple of old guys with their routine pretty set out. Eventually they took an interest in Kyle and set to work wiring up the van and getting the trailer hitched up.





We were back ion the road by 9:30 and head back stopping at CTC for a pad lock and a cooler. At the apartment, Kyle got his first taste of what I expect will be many opportunities to back the trailer into a parking spot. Very good job for rookie.

Packing and loading began without much fan fair. As we loaded we first thought we were not going to get it all in. When all the big things were loaded, it appeared we were going to have lots of room left over.
The day was turning hot, and we were getting hungry so we took a break and walked down town to the Sunset Grill for brunch. Thomas joined us prior to going to work. Talk turned to when we were going to finish packing, not wanting to spend another night sleeping on the floor and maybe leaving tonight. After brunch, Kyle and Thomas said their goodbyes and we headed back to "working at the mine". It was a great atmosphere with the sun shining, with the sidewalk full of people shopping, lots of vender's and open air pubs, cafes and restaurants.

We worked until 4pm and finally the trailer was totally full and the Van was almost full. Brett was getting pretty bored by this time and wanted to hit the road. Kyle was still not ready as he was still cleaning up the apartment. Brett, om his usually dry manner, said " He hasn't cleaned it in 2 years, why would he clean it now that he didn't live here!"

Finally, we were moving, but not west. First we headed east to drop off the cable boxes. (In Friday 4pm Rush Hour Traffic), Then south to say good bye to his coworkers. ( In 5pm Rush Hour Traffic) followed by a marathon trailer parking exercise. Since we were still in 6pm Rush Hour Traffic, we decided to stay put, eat supper at the Thai Palace then Head out.

8pm and 12 tries to back the trailer back on the road and we were at last Hauling Ass on the Road To Sudbury, one day ahead of schedule.