We have officially left the states and are in Canada. The warm welcome began with the girls in the visitor center. (The border officer drilled us about the last time we were in Canada.)
The locks are historic, later 19th century. They are too small for commercial shipping.
Driving East we stopped to get gas (seems like we do that a lot.)
Note on gas: It takes $65 to fill the tank at home. $100 here.
Walked into a trading post where the hospitality continued. The girl working there called ahead to a campground to see if they had a spot for us.
They did, and so began one of those experiences you never forget.
The campgroun sits on a channel of Lake Huron. We were given a lovely spot right on the water. When I couldn't connect to the internet on my Ipad, Russell moved us right next to the router. I should have known then...
Jean and Russell asked if we would like to join them for supper at the supper club. We were beginning to note that everyone in Spanish, ON knows these two.
Russell came by to let Ed know that he was going to lower a boat into the water and thought Ed would find it interesting. Jean and Russell have built their business on servicing boaters, campers, and bettering their community.
This contraption arrived. Straps were passed under the boat to hoist it up.
The boat was rolled out on tracks over the water ....
Ed had a great time watching. I could tell because he took a boatload of photos of the process.
This is the start of the summer season. Winter was especially long this year.
It's high fishing season so the dock was always busy. Looks peaceful, but it's a happening place.
The weather was cloudy and misty in the morning, but cleared in the afternoon. We were treated to a pontoon trip with Russ McNally, as he was known in his days in transport, and Jean. (She and I shared a Cougars High Five!!! Cougars unite!)
We toured the channels...
....got a little history lesson of the area. The pilings remain from logging days when logs were floated on the water. More than 100 years old.
....the Spanish Marina. Dredging the channel has been one of the projects Jean and Russell have worked on for the community.
...all the way from the channels to Lake Huron.
Pelicans just sittin' around on the lake
As if that was not enough, we were invited to Jean and Russells home for supper. Jean tells me he is the fish chef. They made Walleye and steaks. Delicious. We sat at the table until 11 pm talking and laughing.
A special 2 days with new friends.
This is how royalty must feel.
Thank you both for an unforgettable time in Spanish!
Next stop: Get a sim card for my phone. We stopped at the mall in Sudbury. Mission accomplished. I will never again complain about the cost of cell service at home. I will stand humbly at the feet of our service company. Forever. Honest.
As usual with Canadian hospitality, the young man helping me suggested a stop on our way to Ottawa. He told me to look for a stand with people around it advertising the best fries in the world and have poutin. A national treasure and best at this stand. We found it because there were people standing around it.
The friendly lady in the window was happy to take our order.
This is poutin. French fries covered with gravy and cheese curds.
All home made at this spot. So we waited and chatted with others waiting.
It was delicious.
We have had the best of the best.
We stopped in a truck stop for the night. It's a seven hour drive and we had five done.
Had to show this truck. It's new. The Harley Davidson edition built by International. Pretty cool. Guess if you're gonna buy - buy big.
The place is huge, quiet, a good place to let Finn run, watch the sunset, free, and coffee and wifi are just across the parking lot.
Ottawa in the morning.
No comments:
Post a Comment