Deflation and Elation (July 7th)

We are staying with good friends tonight in Ottawa (Orleans actually), having been with another great couple last evening in Kanata. This made today's biking a real treat, despite the light rain, as we used the Ottawa bike path system to accomplish the journey, with a stop for lunch at the Byward Market and a look at the Parliament buildings. Tomorrow we will be into our seventh week and on the home stretch.

As you know, we camp when we can, we "dry out" and "clean up" at motels, and we "camp" with friends and family. Which brings me to the point of this little story. A while back, going around Lake Superior, we left Rabbit Blanket camp ground in the mosquitoes and rain, continuing our trek south. I had called a sister of a new Wolfville acquaintance of mine (Barbara MacKay - the sister is Ruth Fletcher, her partner Ward Conway) a couple of days earlier, who lives (conveniently) on the shores of Superior between Wawa and Sault Ste Marie, to acquaint her of our arrival in the area. She was not home so I left a message. A day later I called again, this time leaving my cell number. Rabbit Blanket was outside of cell phone coverage area.

By 10:00 AM we had had three flat tires between us, in the rain. But we carry extra tubes and soldiered on. However, it was not fun. Still, the weather gradually improved over the morning and the scenery was stunning. Coming down a long hill onto the flat I was in the lead and noticed in the near distance a hand-crafted 'sign' attached to a mailbox post on the right side of the road. Drawing nearer I could see it said "Maurice Tugwell"?! Ruth had also written my name in the gravel by the road side. The day was turned around in a moment. Ruth and Ward welcomed us as they would old friends. They gave us good food, shelter, conversation - fellowship on the shores of Superior!