AUG. 8, Friday, getting ready
Got the truck ready for our trip to Gerarldon, Ontario. Loaded the kayaks, the bikes, life jackets, golf clubs and enough food for Tucker and all his toys, of course. It is cloudy but the rain is holding off.
In the evening, it rained so no fires.
AUG. 9, Saturday, golfing day
Got a call last night from my brother Gaetan that he wanted to play golf so got up at 7 a.m. to be on the course by 8:30 a.m. There were the 2 of us and two of Gaetan's friends. The sun came out for us later in the morning and we had a very good game although I won't be bragging about my score!!.
That evening, we sat by the fire at Gilles' and told tall stories. Good way to end this day
AUG. 10, Sunday, on the road
Got up at 7 a.m. and were on the road by 9 a.m. after saying our goodbyes to Gilles and his family. Stopped at the bank on the way out and for breakfast then we headed West on hwy 20, through Montreal on Hwy 25, 440, 13 and 640 then west of Montreal,, we got on hwy 148 and headed north-west to Hull and Ottawa.
We stopped in Ottawa for lunch and looked over the Prime Minister house on Sussex street.
Got going again around 3 p.m. and arrived at North-Bay around 8 p.m. The drive was very scenic and not much traffic which was nice. We stayed at a motel "8" for the night.
AUG. 11, Monday, to Geraldton.
We were on the road by 9 a.m. and stopped for breakfast at Lake Marten, about 2 hours from NorthBay.
The scenery was somewhat boring, especially between Hearst and Geraldton. The road was also much better than it was the last time we drove through here.
We hit rain in a couple places but otherwise, it was mainly sunny the whole way.
We arrived in Geraldton around 8 p.m. after stopping in Longlac for dinner. We went straight to Chris (Val's brother) and Dorothea's house. A beautiful place and he did an excellent job building it. The last time we were here two years ago, there was on the house frame.
Went to bed early after having a little chat with Chris and Dorothea.
AUG. 12, Tuesday, Geraldton
Sunny and warm today. Val went kayaking with Dorothea for an hour then we went into town for lunch and met with Kathie and Dorie (Val's sisters) Louie (Kathy husband) and Dorothea. A chatty lunch hour then we went to the grocery store to pick up a few things and called our doctor's office inn BC to find out about our meds. They've already faxed over the prescription so that's one less worry to deal with. We also went to the drugstore where we met Val's niece, Ashley and her fiancée, Steven. They make a handsome couple, especially with her 5 months pregnant.
Geraldton is much more depressed than the last time we were here. There are more stores closed and houses left empty. It is becoming a ghost town! Much of the industries that were here are either closed or have gone belly-up. There is a large Indian population here too. Most people are employed by the feds or Provincial gov't via offices. There is a lawyer office and the doctor comes here once a week and the vet, once a month. Although there is a medical building, if there is an heavy duty emergency, one has to go to Thunder Bay, 2.5 hours from here.
Dorothea cooked us a marvellous dinner then the whole family came over. We gave Ashley her bassinette which we had bought back in Drummond'ville and she was quite happy about it. We have yet to see her little sister, Christine.
It rained heavily in the latter part and in the evening.
AUG. 13, Wednesday, berry picking
Got up to a beautiful sunshine and warmth. So nice!! After a lazy morning, Louie called and invited us to go pick berries so we went blue berry picking in the afternoon. We drove onto this back road for about 3 miles and found a marvellous place full of berries. This is bear country so as we picked, our ears remained tuned to the noises around us and our nose to the smell, just in case!
Anyway, we picked 4 big ice cream buckets full within an hour then came home to clean them and get them ready for pies and muffins. We went back into town and picked up some wine. Just as expensive as Quebec and the choice is limited.After dinner, we had blue berries and ice cream....hummmm, humm!! Delicious.
In the evening, Chris and Dorothea went flying in their homebuilt plane and Val and her sister Kathie went to visit an aunt. Tucker and I stayed home and went for a walk then read our book.
AUG. 14, Thursday, Sunny and warm once more
Got up to a good cup of coffee and freshly made blueberries muffins. We are spoiled! We've been keeping an eye on Quebec and note that the rain hasn't really let up. There is a low which just won't go away, bringing clouds and rain.
Val and Dorothea went into town in the afternoon and Dori came over later. We had T-bone steak for dinner. Haven't had one of those for ages. Watched TV in the evening.(the Olympics).
I POSTED MORE PICTURES. Follow the link on the left side to Picasa
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