Day Seventy Two - Wallaceburg, Ontario to Port Glasgow, Ontario

Day 72

July 27th

Monday

Miles 59

Wallaceburg, Ontario to Port Glasgow, Ontario 

As we were about to leave Wallaceburg we met a very nice man that wanted to know about our travels.  He started the conversation by saying, "I see you are traveling by bike, you may need this." He handed us a 'Never Give Up' scripture card with Jeremiah 29:11, 12, & 13. He then handed Ronnie a fake Canadian one million dollar bill and asked about where we have been, where we are going.  

People in Canada have been quick to smile and wave as we ride by.

Our route took us through farm land that looked much like the U.S. but crops were more mature. We saw sweet corn for sale along with squash, blueberries, sweet peppers, and raspberries. In many of the farm fields we passed we saw solar panels that rotate with the sun.  Along Lake Erie there were a large number of wind generators.  Homes along the route that were original homesteads were beautiful, three story homes with ornate wood trim. The old barns were built on the side of a hill with a mowed inclined entrance on one side and stone foundation supporting the remainder of the structure. Love the 'old' home places built in the 1800's and still being maintained and used today.

We rode by an enormous greenhouse growing hydroponic peppers with another greenhouse just as large being built next to it. It was interesting to see how large the plants were in the greenhouse, the massive water tanks attached to them, and the very large fertilizer tanks.  While we took pictures a tanker pulled up to fill the fertilizer tank and an eighteen wheel truck was being loaded with peppers. 

We took time out to tour Uncle Tom's Cabin Museum. We enjoyed the historical original buildings, a short video, and the nice exhibit about the life of Josiah Henson and the Underground Railroad. There is a bike path that follows the Underground Railroad route and the historical importance it played.

As we rode into the campground at Port Glasgow so did a group of 15 cyclists on their way to Michigan as part of a summer camp.  The tent area was small but had lots of trees for shade. The washrooms could have been nicer/cleaner AND closer to the tent campsites.

Day Seventy Three - Port Glasgow, Ontario to Houghton Center, Ontario

Day 73 

July 28th

Tuesday 

Miles 68

Port Glasgow, Ontario to Houghton Center, Ontario 

We followed the Water Front Trail again today along the coast of Lake Erie. We were a little disappointed that it is not directly along the lake shore as it appears to be on the map. Much of the route is through farm land then takes you through ports along the waterfront. 

We left early since another hot, humid day was forecast.  It was a nice, cool morning with a little dew on the plants and grass.  We noticed a sweet smell, trying to identify the flower it came from only to realize it wasn't from flowers, it was the corn tassels. Along with fields of corn we saw fields of asparagus, soy beans, apple orchards, cherry orchards, squash, sweet peppers, blueberries, raspberries, and wheat ready to be harvested or in the process of being harvested. We passed several fruit and vegetable stands stopping at one to buy raspberries that were fresh and delicious. The woman selling us the raspberries confirmed it was the corn tassels giving off the pleasant smell earlier in the day.  We love the way most farmers mow the grass up to the edge of the fields. It was very inviting for taking breaks under the tall trees.

The day was hot!  We drank a large amount of water, stopping to refill twice. The forecast for the next few days is the same, unseasonably hot and humid. While we were riding it seemed most people were cooling off in Lake Erie.  We stopped to see the Lighthouse at Port Burwell, the oldest lighthouse on Lake Erie, Canada side. We ate lunch in Port Burwell at 'The Lunch Box', a local cafe with homemade food.  We enjoyed sandwiches and amazing homemade cranberry, apple, peach pie. The owner offered to let us camp for the evening on her family's property, she does this for cyclists on the Northern Tier route.  We declined hoping to find a place with wash rooms and showers so we camped at the Sand Hill Park, a very pretty place with nice large campsites under beautiful trees. This was our most expensive campsite to date and the facilities were not good at all. So far we have not been very happy with places to stay. 

This beautiful tree was on our route today, we just happened to notice the plaque on it.

Raspberries 

A great place for lunch

Fields of asparagus 

Cherry Orchard 

Chocolate milk and lots of water on this hot day

Apple Orchards

Good Morning Canada!

Day Seventy One - Port Huron, Michigan USA to Wallaceburg, Ontario CANADA

Day 71

July 26th

Sunday

Miles 40

Port Huron, Michigan USA to Wallaceburg, Ontario CANADA

Today we left Port Huron on a bike path, then the route took us on roads through Marysville, then back on a bike path in St. Clair through East China, then roads to Marine City and the Blue Water Ferry.  We passed three coal powered electric plants, one in Canada that is closed and two in St. Clair/ East China. 

The Ferry ride was very quick across the river.  The water in the river was very clear and very blue.  As we left the port in Canada the route took us along the river.  Beautiful homes and trees lined one side and nice boat docks with flowers and gazebos the other.  We saw swans, gulls, and Canada Geese enjoying the water.  It was a very enjoyable ride on flat roads that went through a small town where a children's Lacrosse team had a fundraiser selling food and drinks.  We could not resist these 6-8 year olds and stopped for lunch. Leaving town we rode through farm land with corn, soybeans, wheat and one large apple orchard.  

We arrived in Wallaceburg with plans to stay at the Days Inn, the one motel recommended by adventure cycling. We would like to have camped but there were no campgrounds in the area. Rooms were not ready at the days Inn so we paid for a room then went to the McDonalds down the street to use the WiFi.  Returning two hours later, the owner gave us keys to three different rooms that had not been cleaned or made up, the fourth was made up. Now for a shower and good nights rest.

Bike path

Power Plants

Ferry ride

Ferry

Wallaceburg Lacrosse team 

Solar panel in farm field