Trans-Canadian Summer, part II: Ontario

View the full Trans-Canadian Summer series

The trip between Prince Albert National Park and Quebec City takes approximately 40 driving hours.  No matter how you look at it, it is a llloooonnnnggg way from here to there.  But happily, along the way, one may observe the prairie pothole regions of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the spectacular lakes of Ontario, and countless little towns and points of historical interest.  


Thanks to having multiple drivers, I managed some sketching, and read a couple of books.  One was the particularly fascinating Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of History by Stephen Jay Gould.  Thanks to that heavy-but-compelling read, I have found some new favorite quotes about how effective communication is essential to meaningful scientific endeavors.


On the drive west, we didn't slow down for anything other than gas and nights in below-budget hotels.  On our return, though, we took a little more time.  We stopped in a couple of neat towns, had an eventful camping experience, and dug our feet into the sandy shores of Lake Superior.   The following photos highlight a couple of our stops during the 1.5 days it took to cross Ontario.  Click on any image to view a larger version.

Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park

We had to use twigs as chopsticks for an improvised
dinner while camping on the shore of Lake Superior.

The view from our "room" at
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

If you are on the Trans-Canadian highway, plan to eat here.
It's a little "Mom & Pop" road-side drive-in, with an
amazingly diverse and lengthy menu.  Even better -
the food is GOOD ol'handmade, homemade deliciousness.

Shell (the gas conglomerate) exhibits a wry sense of humor.
The display reads, "Help us change the world."

From the sandy shores of Lake Superior

The sand dunes at Katherine Cove,
along Lake Superior, were fascinating.

One of the classic stuck-in-the-50s motels somewhere
in Ontario...the fridge and floors were really something!

We had to take a photo of this - gas station/convenience
stores north of the border seem to all be 'Gas Bars.' While
the moniker does not refer to booze, I can't help but think
"Don't drink & drive!" each time I see that on the signs.

After two weeks (me), or several months (Jerod), without any multi-cultural food,

we took our chances at this little restaurant in Montreal.  Absolutely worth a repeat! 

Returning from such a long drive, the sight of this
sign caused mixed emotions.  We drove past the
same one when we first arrived in Quebec City,
nearly two years ago.  It was relief, rather than
trepidation, the sensation of returning 'home'
versus driving into the unknown with no way out.