This Woman Wanders

Wow, what a whirlwind trip this has been so far!

I slept like a rock at the HI Hostel in Niagara Falls (in large part thanks to my  very considerate bunkmates) and was able to see the Falls at sunrise, before parking fees and tourists were evident.

I then drove North to Killarney Provincial Park, which is a stunning drive.  The park is gorgeous, though I was surprised at the cost- nearly $50 for a non-electric tent site.  Wow.  I made the most of it, went hiking, had dinner in camp (and was victorious against the juvenile raccoon who attempted to steal my dinner), went swimming in a lake while a bunch of silly people walked around in jackets, photographed both sunset and sunrise in the park, AND explored the itty, bitty town of Killarney.  I was delayed a bit on my out of Killarney on Thursday when I drove into a ditch and had to be towed out (nearest tow truck was 2 hours away).

I took my  time, stopping often to explore and photograph on my way to Sault Saint Marie (I had finally learned that it was called “The Soo” because Sault is pronounced Soo in French). 

I figured out along the way just how expensive gas is in Canada.  The cheapest I’d found calculated to $5.25/gallon.  Ouch.

I was informed during my drive that I had forgotten to do my vehicle emissions before leaving Maryland and my plates were due to expire while I was away.  I wouldnt be able to find out until the next day whether I could get an extension.  If I couldnt get one, I’d have to return home before going on.  So, it seemed like a good idea to camp while I was on the border.  I found a KOA (one of the best I’ve been at) in The Soo and had a grand ol’ time talking to the proprietor and other campers.  It was one of the friendliest crowds I’d ever camped with– people kept offering me food.

Mid-morning I found that my extension HAD been granted, so I could continue on.  But at this point I’d decided that camping in Canada at $40+ per night, plus the gas fees, were going to really eat into my budget.  I’d also been informed by every Canadian I asked that I was missing nothing by skipping Manitoba and Saskatchewan.  Plus, as an added bonus, if I cut into the US and went west from there, to head back into Canada by way of Montana, I’d be able to stop and see my pal Cahlean in Minnesota. 

So thats how I ended up driving Route 28 in Michigan, along the edge of Lake Superior, yesterday.  I stopped often, exploring towns and parks and campgrounds. 

I stopped for the night in Bergland, Michigan….

And today I’m on my way to Minnesota to see my friend Cahlean.

So, there you have it…the trip til now, complete with cell phone snapshots. 😉