It's Friday in The Peg

Dawn in 'Civilization'

Our usual early morning getaway was made even earlier by the time change from Eastern to Central Time Zones.



First stop, Vermilion Bay on Eagle Lake, to enjoy a cup of coffee and some loons in the early morning solitude. Beautiful government dock area, well-worth a small detour from the TCH. (See what an experienced cross-Canada motorist I have become?)

Vermilion Bay, Eagle Lake

The skies over the bay, and for the remainder of our time in Ontario, were remarkable. Made me wish I lived in a box of paints, as Joni might say.

Vermilion Bay, Eagle Lake

Also made me rethink the itinerary for next time. In hindsight I would have spent more time exploring Lake Superior and the area around Kenora before heading in to Manitoba. It was more beautiful than I remembered or imagined.

H on the boardwalk - Vermilion Bay

Sweet Shelter, Vermilion Bay

There was also a sweet little board walk at Vermilion Bay and a nicely constructed shelter that perfectly suited its location.

Well obviously, we're in Kenora 
(Dog  Scorn - always hard to take)

On to Kenora, another lovely city in Northern Ontario. We drove along the lake front (Lake of the Woods) where the denizens were out walking, jogging and biking the trail. Tons of signs for bicycle lanes and 'share the road' reminders. An active joint, is Kenora.

Keens on the *Things I absolutely needed* list

I have been noting things I absolutely needed and absolutely didn't need on the trip so far. The Keen sandals belong firmly on the former list. Later in the day they became caked with mud from the mighty Assiniboine River, in which Hailey spent an hour or two retrieving a very large stick and enjoying the lazy current (photo evidence below). 

So far, there is nothing obvious to list among the Things I Absolutely Didn't Need, but it's early days. My money's on food. Apparently I planned to feed several people for several weeks. Over-stocked to ensure that I wouldn't have to buy groceries along the way, when it would be way way way too hot to leave a pooch in the car, even with windows open. Some would suggest tying her to something outside the store, but if ever a dog was nappable, it's the H.

Border Crossing

The border crossing into Manitoba passed without incident and the land became flat and the highways very, very straight. 

Our route (once again to a pooch-friendly Comfort Inn) took us through downtown Winnipeg, a beautiful city that attracts very loyal citizens. Every one I know from The Peg has loved it. 

Muddy Assiniboine. Perfect,

We had some excellent adventure time at a local dog park on the banks of the aforementioned Assiniboine River. Slow moving and apparently irresistible to Labs. I am writing this several hours later and H is still fast asleep. 
Good times. 
Good times. 

The sticks are almost as big here as they were in Oro-Medonte. Almost. 

Triumphant Return to Shore.

You call this a stick?

Tomorrow brings us just over the border into Saskatchewan and Crooked Lake Provincial Park.