Mile 9963

 This morning we are crossing back into Canada as we had left it yesterday because of me having made a mistake when booking a hotel room.  When I selected a chain hotel for Sault Ste. Marie in ON, I didn't pay attention that this hotel was actually located in MI.  Since the booking was non-refundable, we crossed the border for the night to return this morning again.  Very annoying, but my own fault.

Bridge to Canada over St. Marys Falls and River

Being back in Canada we pick up Rt-17 or as it is called the Trans Canada Highway (TCH) again and make our way towards Thunder Bay, ON.  We pass through many First Nation Land and pass the midway point between St.John's in Newfoundland and Victoria in British Columbia of the TCH at Chippewa Falls.  It is quite an interesting story about a person called Dr. Perry A. Doolittle, "the Father of the TCH" and his determination to have this road built.

Midway Point Marker for the Trans Canada Highway

Chippewa Falls, and interpretative panel for 'Canada's Group of Seven' more than 100 years ago.  

It was a group of painters between 1918 and 1922 who painted the rivers like the Batchawana, Montreal, and Agawa.

Of course we have to make a stop at the Agawa Arts and Craft Store.  It is  still the same tourist trap as it has been, and so we don't spend much time here.

Agawa Arts and Craft Store

We continue along the lake shore to Wawa, ON, but not before making another stop at the Agawa Rock Pictographs.  They allow us a glimpse into traditional Ojibwe life, and are records of ancient dreams, visions, and events generated by the Ojibwe people portraying mystical beings, animals, and humans.

Pictographs made by the Ojibwe People

Passing Wawa, ON, we turn a bit inland, passing more lakes and rivers, and after crossing the White River we head for Marathon, ON to call it the day.  even though that it had rained in the early morning hours, and a low mist was laying over the Batchawana Bay earlier, the day turned out gorgeous by midday with blue skies, but temperatures stayed only in the mid 60's. 

Morning mist over Batchawana Bay,  White Lake

Going down to Wawa, ON, meadows by White River, ON

"The passing of every old man or woman means the passing of some tradition, some knowledge of sacred rites possessed by not other."  -  Edward S. Curtis, American photographer and ethnologist whose work focuse on the American West and the Native American people, 1868-1952