Day 2: July 31, 2010

Day 2 Post: July 31, 2010


Ok, so we might have cheated on night #1. I could say we found a small open patch of level, but rock-hard ground, surrounded by pines in complete seclusion, chopping wood and cooking by the fire. Instead we found 94 Florwin Drive, Sault Ste Marie, waiting with open arms and a hot pasta dinner. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! We were sent off this morning with a mini-tour route map of the Soo and a cooler full of sandwiches, fruit, and pasta leftovers.

“Do you think our next campground will have breakfast and lunch included?” says Storm.

Lake Superior was out next big attaction-one we were planning to greet with an enthusiastic dash from the car and sprint into the water at first sight. Patience won over and we waited for “Pancake Bay- Fantastic Beach!” according to the road signs. Despite the warm drizzle and sunless sky, Pancake Bay was worth the wait with a long stretch of empty beach and not-too-frigid water temperatures. The landscape since Pancake Bay has been as extraordinary as they say- deep, dark forests stretching into the horizon, dotted with vast lakes...somehow glistening despite the cloud cover. The roads are relatively quiet for a long weekend, and we squeezed in a visit with the Wawa WOW goose. Passing little more than the odd goldmine, charging moose road sign, and RV after RV (we think they’re sponsored), we’re taking in the scenery, snacking a plenty, and stopping for anything oversized.



As the afternoon passed I dug out an “Old Autos” magazine my grandpa sent me on the road with. Buried within the issue is a 4-page story of four nurses who made a similar cross-Canada trek.... only in a Ford Model-T, taking eight weeks in the summer of 1935 to journey from London, Ontario to Vancouver, BC... and back! And we thought we were adventurous.

With the sun beginning to set and tents to pitch, we stopped in Marathon, Ontario, pop. 3,100 for dinner supplies....and believe it or not, a wireless connection in the Foodland parking lot. I can vouch for the friendliness of Marathoners- while Storm and Smith bought bacon and a grill and other manly things, I posted the day 1 blog hunched on a curb to have each of the 8 people who walked by in the half hour ask if I was okay, followed by “Are you really getting a signal here?”

Back on highway 17 we made it to Rainbow Falls Provincial Park to spend the night- real camping this time, too. A friendly girl in her early twenties named Ashley welcomed us at the Park Gatehouse, suggesting we check out the sites to choose one we like, saying, “If you’re only staying for one night, and there’s no passes or cars parked on the site, then it’s free. Just come back and let me know which one you’ll be at.”


“Really? That’s great! Thanks!!” we reply.


We went on for some time about how great it was that we were getting a free campsite- “how awesome would it be if we get them free the whole way across?!!”

After cruising the grounds and finding the site for us, we returned to the Gatehouse to pick up our pass. Smith and I waited in the car while Storm went in, but after 5 minute of waiting in the car, we couldn’t figure out what would be taking so long. There was no one else around, no line up- just Storm going in to tell her a site number. As time passed and sunlight dwindled, Smith and I were certain Storm was trying to get her phone number. This was not so.


Storm walks into the Gatehouse. “We’re going to take site 87, please.”


“Great. That’s $31.50 please,” says Ashley.


“Ah.... hm. I thought you said it was free?”replies Storm.


“Oh, well it includes your overnight stay and access to any provincial parks tomorrow, like a day pass,” she says, looking a bit confused.


“Ok. I see. But we were just in here, and I thought you said it would be free for tonight?” says Storm, even more confused.



“Ohhhhh....haha! When I said “free” I meant available...” says Ashley.



So no free campsite, but a great campsite all the same. Enjoying a pasta bake of pasta leftovers with some grilled veggies, we kicked back with some beers and took in the wilderness we’d been craving. Stretched out on my thermarest lazy-boy lounge chair, I fell asleep next to the fire.



“Bonita, we’re going to bed.”

No reply.

A little louder this time, “Bonita. You should get up- we’re going to bed.”

Still no reply. Apparently I was snoring.

With a light jostle, “BONITA!” and my eyes pop open.


I guess a day of sitting, a dip in Lake Superior, snacking, and taking in epic views can really wipe you out.