Week ending July 25

Tuesday we left Manitoulin Island. Our intention was to spend Tuesday there doing some hiking and sightseeing. However the campground was very moldy and John's asthma kicked in. We didn't feel we wanted to risk staying another day, so we packed up and drove to Serpent River Campground on the North Channel of Lake Huron. The campground is open and clean and a big improvement over the last one. There is a lovely pool there, so after dinner we went for a swim. It was like having our own private pool.

Wednesday we drove the Deer Trail, a scenic tour of the East Algoma Region. We started with the Fire Tower Lookout at Elliot Lake. Unfortunately, it was too hazy for the promised long distance views of Lake Huron. Then we visited the mining museum, which has lots of information on uranium mining, and dealing with the tailing ponds after the mines have been closed. After a picnic lunch at the Elliot Lake Mining Monument we continued on the driving tour. We stopped at numerous lakes and along side the Little White River. Once we arrived back at our campsite we enjoyed the swimming pool. We where the only ones in it again.

Thursday we spent the morning cleaning and then spent the afternoon at the pool. It was a very hot day and the pool felt wonderful. We had to share the pool this time with numerous seniors who camp here in the permanent sites as well as a group of people camping here for a special VW camper's event. The owner of this campground "improved" his VW van by taking off the front end of one and the back end of another, and joining them together.

Friday was a travel day. We headed through Sault Ste. Marie, where we bought a dog. Since we have been camping it seems that everyone with a large trailer (and some without) has dogs. We felt very left out, so we got a beagle and her puppy. Of course with John's allergies we had to choose carefully and this one seems perfect. Perfectly hypoallergenic, no hair, no walks, no barking and it sit quietly by the front door. The only drawback is if we drop it we will break it.

We then continued along the shores of Lake Superior to a campground at Wawa. Saturday morning we visited the town of Wawa, then drove to Magpie High Falls,

Silver Falls and then spent some time wandering along the lakeshore at Sandy Beach.

After leaving the beach we stopped at Tim's for lunch, then headed back to the campground to suntan at the pool. Again we had the pool to ourselves. This was one of the nicer pools we have had, obviously catering to swimming rather than kids playing as it was deeper than most pools we have been in.

Sunday was a day of rest . We opted to stay at this location as we wanted to watch the Indy car race from Edmonton and the Regina vs Montreal football game. We were not sure we could get to the next campsite and get set up in time.

Monday morning we were on the road by 8:00 A.M.  We stopped at Marathon for an early lunch and experienced the 'it's a small world' syndrome again. In the same restaurant, Rick F., who worked with John at CP Rail a number of years ago was also having an early lunch. He was returning to Calgary from a motorcycle trip to Labrador and Newfoundland. What are the chances of running into someone you worked with in restaurant in nowhere Ontario?   After all there where only 5 customers in the place. This was also a great driver change location, a smart move on Joan's part. A short way up the road the heavens opened and the rain came down so hard the wipers could not keep up. For once John had the privilege of driving through bad weather. The weather cleared up by the time we got to Ouimet Canyon Provincial park. It is a day park, just a 1 km walk into viewing the canyon. Because the road was narrow windy and steep, trailers are not allowed in, so we had to disconnect the trailer at a spot they provide 3 km from the canyon.

By 4:30 we arrived at the Thunder Bay Koa for the night. We were able to get a spot that was large enough that we didn't have to unhook. We decided unhooking once a day is enough. It will make packing up tomorrow a real breeze.