July 23 - Day 49 - I'll have the Lemon Sharbot with sprinkles on top.

Overnight thunderstorms in Peterborough made us think twice before heading out this morning, but after checking the radar, we were pretty sure the rain would hold off for the balance of the day.  We had planned a ride of approximately 130km straight along Highway 7, and hoped the traffic would cooperate, as there is only a slim shoulder on many stretches along that road.  As it turned out, the weather was perfect with only an occasional wind in our face to keep us honest, and the traffic was not that bad.   

 Oldest Barn in town

 We passed through towns like Norwood, where Sid spent a year as a youth, and we tried to find his old house, but the cave dwellings were now a nice subdivision……..Havelock, Marmora, Madoc, Kaladar, Arden (and the Tourists), and finally Sharbot Lake, where we have a great camp in the provincial park.

 Here's Arden......we're the tourists

Tony has solved the trailer hookup thing, and is quickly becoming a pro.  Pretty soon he’ll be backing this thing up with the best of them instead of asking the neighbours if they know how.  Seriously, couldn’t do it without him. 

 2 more inches

The one thing that differs about this part of the trip is that there are people and places everywhere.  You never have to worry about running out of fluids as there will be a gas station or convenience store around the next corner.  This is still beautiful country, just not a desolate as we have become used to since leaving Vancouver. We happened on this little joint for our lunch break.......damn good fish and chips.

Every bit as good as Perky's

Getting to Sharbot Lake will afford us a shorter ride tomorrow, which will wind up in Manotick, where the Dickinson legend began, and home of his misspent youth.  It will also allow us time for a ride into Ottawa, my first trip to the nations capital, and some photo op’s for sure.  We are planning a trip to Parliament Hill, and then dinner, before returning to camp, so a timely blog tomorrow is seriously in doubt.  

 

We are all feeling well……our rest in Collingwood was well worth it, and there is good fresh energy on board as we continue.  Happy to take any messages to the PM for you…..drop me a line

LYJ