----
The end of point of the Lincoln Highway at N.Y.C's Times Square was to say the least a bit disappointing, just a small brown sign on a lamp post so high that no one would even see it, let alone know what is was, nevertheless I did and was happy to reach it.
My warmshowers hosts lived in Brooklyn, a really cool district that sits next to Manhattan which was quieter but easy to reach along the ample bike lanes or the underground. Taking a day off I used the underground to reach the centre, had a wander around, got some food then went back (I said this post would be brief!)
Times square. Far too busy for my liking....get me out of here quick !! Just to prove I did pass through N.Y.C., a rare selfie!
Massachusetts' Boston was a nice city, not as manic as N.Y.C., there for just one night I stayed aboard a warmshowers.org hosts sail boat in the marina that proved quite cool. I met several other host's that helped me along the way. After asking one family in Rowley (Massachusetts) of a place to camp I was offered the use of their garden and given a tasty dinner and breakfast - thanks John + Chris!! In Portland (Maine) I had a great time with Warmshowers host Nancy, she also connected me with friends Brendon + Sandie (and Waldo!) further along in Hope (Maine).
The first few days out of N.Y.C. the '1' road had been horrendously busy and I longed for some quiet and as I continued along it, slowly slowly it became quieter and eventually Maine's countryside started opening up, hopefully representing what Canada would have on offer. My initial plan was to enter Canada via a brief ferry across Passamaquoddy bay, departing the U.S. from its most easterly town of Lubec.
As the day's first late afternoon approaches a heavy mist sets in! Yes mist on a July afternoon!! Still around the following day I find myself wearing my bottom-of-the-panniers wooly hat & gloves...in July!! By mid-morning it had disappeared and with an excess of traffic now heading to Saint Johns decide myself against going there and now instead start my northerly route along the Saint Johns River and what a great route!! little / no traffic and plenty of water so free-camping would be a doddle, that night I pitch next to the clear river with a fresh spring coming straight out the mountain, everything a cycle tourist needed!! The following day the route hugged the river, twisting and winding gently up and down through greenery galore passing occasional farms and houses here n there...still with no traffic...Canada was proving to be awesome!!
--
Skip 812 Kilometres.
On Friday 20th July I reach Ottawa - Canada's capital and meet up with a Canadian friend that used to live in Deanshanger, Scott. Travelling around the world on business he'd accumulated excess hotel points so booked me in for three nights at a Holiday Express Inn. We had food at his house the first night, a barbecue the second night at his son's and beers on the third...perfect. Showing me around the old town was great as was so many old building rubbing shoulders with the newer high-rise towers. It was great to see him again and his old buddy Ingo, thanks for the weekend dudes!!
Copying someone who'd done a 'normal' selfie pose...think I'm out of practice?
The falls...and to think people have gone over it in a barrel!
Monday 6th August.
Having now joined the official Transcanadianne Route highway '17' it was late afternoon and had started to look for a place to camp, being a relatively busy road I tried a few of the roads that led off of it, one had a crystal clear-water stream running under it so I stopped to wash & fill my bottles. Soon a white pick-up comes along and stops to ask if things were okay, informing the driver I was just getting water and now looking for a suitable place to free-camp for the night. Explaining my tours start & intended end point to Steve he kindly offers me a place to camp at his lakeside cottage. Following him, and his brother Richard to through gates to the property I'm soon introduced to their wife's and children, and amazing dog Myla. After setting up my tent I'm invited to a ride on their boat across the lake!
Steve and one of his sons;
Ready?...
That evening after some tasty dinner I'm invited to sleep within the cottage on a spare bed as opposed to my tent. The following morning I'm treated to a big fry-up then Invited for a go at rapelling (abseiling). Steve works within the Canadian police force and was part of his training. . .he's even descended down the lift shaft of Toronto's CN tower!!. . .this looked at tad easier for a total novice like me and after a run-down on the do's & don'ts I'm soon walking at 45' down the rock face .
He looks mean, but was such a softy....
laying on the floor he actually resembled a brown bear!
Here's some of the last few days scenery;
Time for a swim (lake Superior).
Not that I've followed Route 17 from the start it was good to see this sign.
With all this water who needs a campsite?!
At Pancake Bay I was told to mind the bears
This is the next few thousand kilometres!!
;-) What goes up....
Although there's actually a fire-ban at the moment I dampened the earthy/rocky ground around the [tiny] fire to be sure...I wanted some smoke to keep the damn mozzies away whilst eating dinner.
Many times I've been asked by people of all the countries I've traveled through which is my favorite and i Usually answer Austria - snowboarding in the winter and excellent cycling scenery in the summer...but it's now certainly got a close contender!!