[A/S] Fwd: To Whom it May Concern - Canada; the Laurentian Shield. Ouch!

["Sandy Noyes" <boojum@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The reason that so many Torontonians and Montrealers drive south of
Lake Superior on the way west and the way back home. The Laurentian
Shield is a convoluted, curved, crinkled and crenelated series of
curves, dips, hills, valleys, lakes, ponds and acres of fir and birch.
I had to cross it once; and this time is it. With fuel prices at
US$1.80 to US$1.90 per US gallon hilly country gets expensive pretty
quickly.

I left Sault St. Marie, Michigan, about 7:00 AM. Sault is pronounced
"soo"; is it a homonym for Sioux? Anyone know? I have a mind that tells
me that borders define geography and culture as well as mark up maps.
After passing through Canadian customs, "No, I have no guns or drugs."
I knew right away it was different. It looks less flamboyant, more
conservative and more subdued than the US. Canada is truly
Anglo-American. The land of Peace, Order and Good Government still
shines. The PM got a pie in his face while on Prince Edward Island last
week and said today, somewhat testily, that he still wants to be
reachable by the Canadian public. Try that in the US! Chretien sounded
more angry at the prospect of being cocooned by security than getting
another pie in the face. Check that out, Bill, Al and George! Canadian
politicians have guts.

Other than lots of hills and valleys alive with fir and birch the
Laurentian Shield in not too exciting. Lots of examples of the life
cycle of that Canadian icon, castor castor, the Canadian beavers work.
Dammed creeks, abandoned beaver habitats with the ponds silting up,
swamps and finally the forest meadow. The hand of man is far less
evident up here. But with more land and about 10% of our population,
most of whom do not live on the Laurentian Shield, that is a given.
Clean air; clean water; beautiful scenery.

Lunch was a large bowl of chicken rice soup followed by a large plate
of ziti in meat sauce with meat balls. And the crackers come in
cellophane packs of four! Not two like in the US. Are you listening
American restaurants? The tab was CDN$6.95 which translates to under
US$5.00. Pretty good, too. I was so happy, and so still unused to
Canadian currency that I gave the waitress a two dollar tip; for
counter service. It must be those Texas plates. The place was run by a
Greek guy. If it weren't for Greek and Asian immigrants most of the
interior of North America would be a wasteland of corn dogs, french
fries, burgers and shakes. Open up those immigration quotas so we can
all be assured of a good meal on the road.

I am camping tonight in Nipigon, about 80 miles east of Thunder Bay. I
was at the side of the road in downtown Nipigon reading the map when a
stocky local guy in suspenders and a day's growth of beard jumped out
of his truck and came running back to my truck. I figured he was going
to tell me either the fuel cap was open or I had a flat tire; maybe
that the tail end of the trailer was on fire. No, he saw me reading the
map and wanted to know of he could be of service. Was I lost? Did I
need help? Nice guy. I decided it was an omen and made for the local
campground which offers nature tours for a dollar and sells amethysts
which are mined at a nearby mine. 

By driving hard tomorrow I can make it to Kenora which is on the
western edge of Ontario. And Sault St. Marie is about a days drive from
Toronto. Three days to cross most of the province, east to west.
Yessir, there is a lot of Canada. Manitoba is known as the postage
stamp province by Canadians. Perhaps I can cross it in only two days.
;o)

I do not think I can stop in Winnipeg to see Louis Riel, the great
m‚tis leader of the late 19th century Canada. Louis led the francophone
m‚tis (half-breeds ) in a rebellion and got hanged for his efforts. He
was a great leader and was later immortalized in a huge bronze statue
at the provincial seat of government in Winnipeg. Louis was cast huge,
and naked. A little too naked for Manitoban sensibilities so a huge
clam shell was erected around him. Too late to clothe him. Kind of like
a side show; you sneak in and peek at Louis. I may just have to check
it out. The story always amused me . I wonder if it is as funny in the
flesh; er, bronze.

Still having fun. Hope you are, too.


Happy Trails.

L8R