July 27, 2023

Leaving Ontario today after a much needed rest day!

We enjoyed being connected by water – with glimpses of Lake Erie every day from the road. Truly connected with the water during our tour along the shores of this mighty Great Lake.

We toured the power station museum and then took the elevator down to walk the tunnel to view the Falls from the river basin.

At the mouth of the tunnel portal – you can feel the power of the water.

Wanted to include quick pictures of Verne with his cousins in Saginaw Michigan – Free RIVIAN Adventure Awaits charging throughout the state!

Our first real beach day was before we checked into our spot for the night in Vienna, ON. Rob arrived about an hour after me to Port Burwell and we had such a nice swim in the refreshing waters of Lake Erie.

It was so much like being at the beach back home – minus the salt water of course.

Next stop was another Port town – but the charging station was literally tied up behind a restaurant, making the access point quite impossible.

Port Colburne is an access point to the Saint Lawrence Seaway – I was not surprised with the drawbridge began to rise – but I was shocked to see this tanker of ship make its way down this narrow canal right before my eyes!

Quite impressive!

Did you notice this sign? Seems a no brainer for a cyclist not to keep riding into the canal.

Peaceful picnic lunch and relaxing swim at the shores at Selkirk Provincial Park

Using the 30 amp electric power at the campground gave Verne more than enough power to reach our next destination – Fort Erie and a rest day!

Flights and Falls – Celebrating Us – Cheers! We had a blast in Niagara and even though we didn’t need an excuse – we used the proximity of our 39th wedding anniversary to have a fancy lunch and enjoyed the view!

Before I close today – I was so curious about the system of highways in Ontario. Verne and I try to follow the route when we can – there’s lots of time to ponder the reason for a particular roadway. Some are so remote and many are incredible straight!

Well there’s a reason for that dating back to the time when Canada was under British rule. Settlers were given lots of land with up to 1,300 feet of road frontage. Each with the understanding that the upkeep of the road along the front of their property was their responsibility. The “law” even went so far as to instruct that each male over the age of 21 was required to perform three or more day of labor per year based on the land value.

Much of King’s Highways – 17 and 401 were created through this arrangement.

However, there were many gaps in the highways and byways because some of the lots were given to clergy and other absentee landowners. Many who “owned” the land but did not work it or live on it.

Now here is the bicycle connection …Dr. Perry Doolittle was a long distance bicycle champion in 1883!

He also was an advocate for more and better roads. As was the Ontario Good Roads Association which was formed in 1894. Many provinces were restricting the use of automobiles even going so far as to only allow them on the roads on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Doolittle is credited with drawing attention to the problems faced by motorists – all the while he was stressing the need to complete a highway across Canada. He even took a 40 day trip to bring attention to the need for better roads.

This King of the Canadian Roads died in 1933, but I think his legacy is alive as his most famous argument for better roads states, “We will be more than ever united by bonds of friendship and acquaintance from coast to coast.” Truly, I could not agree more.

Keeping the rubber side down, Julie and Rob