July 18, 2014 (88th Day)

Sunny and 60's. Edith was not feeling well the day before. This was why we checked in at the campground early the day before.  She mentioned to Erwin that she was ready to throw in the towel and go home. Her back was hurting.  Erwin understood her frustration, but knew she was just venting. After talking it out a while she decided to keep going, but had to be careful with her back.

Since the day was very lovely we wanted to spend some time sightseeing in Parry Sound.  Yesterday we were discussing about going on Queen Island boat tour that will go around several islands for 3 hours, but after we arrived there we realized that the time constraint was against us and the fee was higher than we wanted to spend.  

Instead, Erwin went to the Museum on Tower Hill that explained about local history in Parry Sound. The museum was small, but had interesting exhibits. Edith elected to stay outside and waited for Erwin.

I hope Edith will paint something like this on the Adirondack chair that I have a pattern for but haven't gotten around to make yet!

Erwin's father used to have a sled like this for hauling logs for firewood when he was a child.

After the museum we walked up to the Lookout Tower, which has 13 steps each flight and there are 10 flights plus 2 steps on the base of the tower.  The view of the Georgian Bay was awesome. The garden around the tower was very beautiful, so many different flowers. Lots of bees, butterflies and dragonflies.

We were ready to hit the road, got back on Highway 69 to what we thought would lead us to 141 but we came to a dead end, had to turn back, not complaining cause it was a lovely drive.  Finally got on 400 then exit at 213 to get on Hwy 141 toward Rosseau, ON. Nice and pleasant drive.

Road construction between Humphrey and Rosseau on 141

We were planning on driving through Rosseau without stopping to visit, but when we arrived the town was filled with lots of people. It turned out that there was a farmer's market going on. Edith told Erwin she would like to check it out, so we looked for a parking spot. It was hard to find a spot that our camper van can fit in.  We kept going and going until we found one near the bank.  Yes, it was a long walk to the market, so we just trotted down the hill slowly.  The booths were selling crafts, produce, goodies.  Only two woodturning booths and one of them use food colorings to dye wood bowls. Something that Erwin will have to try one day.  Erwin eyed a package of six date bars and decided to get it for $6 Canadian dollars.  The park has a "beach" that people can go swimming.  The area is very nice and a perfect place to spend a relaxing day there.

Tired or bored or both?

On way back to the van we went to Crossroad Pub & Grill for lunch. Erwin chose fish and chips and Edith went with tomato & artichoke bruschetta.  We both were very pleased with what we ordered.  Their french fries were very tasty and we could easily eat a big bowl of them.

We walked around the tiny town a bit, checked out a couple of antique stores and one old grocery store that has almost everything that an Ace Hardware would have as well as all the groceries.

This grocery store might look small, BUT it has everything!

From Rosseau we drove on ON-632 (scenic drive) and the road was very twisty, but very interesting!

Carved Spirit and bear on a tree trunk by The Corner Store in Minett, ON

Pretty lake with nice waterfront cottage on an island. There were few of them along the way.

Interesting wood sculptures at corner of 7 and 118 (Frank Miller Memorial Route) scenic route at Muskoka Teak store in Port Carling, ON

We had to get gas in Bracebridge, ON. It was $1.299 Canadian dollars per liter. While still in town we went by Bracebridge Bay Park to see the falls.

From Highway 35 we turned off for Minden, ON. There was a Bluegrass festival going on in that town.  We cruised along the river walk.  Some interesting tree trunk carvings on the side of the road.

Stopped in town center, some streets at downtown were closed for music festival.  Lots of people had chairs set up on the street to listen to musicians playing.  Then we drove on the other side of the river walk, saw common loon.  While Edith was busy taking pictures of the loon a couple, walking their dogs, commented to Erwin that they had never seen a loon in the river and that was the first time for them.  So, Edith was lucky to be at the right time and place to snap pictures of the beautiful loon. There were lots of Canadian geese there.  

We went around the town trying to see if there was any place we could "dry camp", found a spot on the side street few blocks from the town center.  We were hungry, so Edith fixed supper.  It is really nice to have a generator that we can use while "dry camping".  During supper we discussed and decided that we were not going to spend the night in this town.  We left for Lindsay, ON, which is about 30 miles north of Peterborough, ON.

Saw these two signs while driving along the river and came to a dead end

 and when we turned around we saw the second sign!  Very funny! 

Several miles out of Minden there was a carving gallery called A Fun Cottage Store, but it was closed. However, they had lots of carvings outside, so we pulled over to look around.

Went under the bridge at Rosedale to take sunset pictures at Trent-Severn Waterway at Balsam Lake.

Edith's back was still bothering her and Erwin was tired from driving.  We arrived Lindsay, ON late at night, dry camped by Tim Horton's for the night.