April 2-3, 2012
The weather has turned nice again and it is time to go on a little road trip. Last time I went up to the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario. I am going to follow the shore of Lake Erie this time and see where it takes me. Generally I have just followed Highway 3 when I head that way. Now it is time to explore.
It was a beautiful day yesterday. Unfortunately I didn’t get out of Dodge City (home) until 1430. A friend needed some help and I have a hard time saying no … especially when she is 90 years old. Last night I stopped in a little town along the Grand River and spent the night there. It was a beautiful setting as the picture will attest to.
This morning it was cold … darn cold!! Down to 27º F. There was definitely some frost on the pumpkins. The furnace ran periodically throughout the night and I was nice and toasty in the ERA. Mind you the four blankets helped I’m sure.
With the cold air and the warmer ground there was some ground fog this morning. I am travelling just feet away from the shore of Lake Erie. Some nice scenery. I am surprised at the number of cottages that are right on the lake’s edge. Below are a couple of photos that I took along the way.
For the rest of the afternoon I continued hugging the coast. Travelling all the back roads I could find. I passed through numerous little towns and villages. Some so small I must have blinked because I missed them. They included … Port Mainland, Featherstone, Peacock Point, Port Dover, where I stopped for lunch. Then on to Port Ryerse, Long Point, Turkey Point, Port Burwell, and finally Port Stanley.
I was intending to spend the night in Port Stanley but could’t find a suitable place to park the RV, so I went up the road to St. Thomas and spend the night at a Walmart.
I spend a weekend in Port Stanley back in 2010. Brought a friend and we sent some time exploring the area. It is quite amazing how much land there is along the coast. The lake was sparkling with several shades of blue and turquoise. When you consider a few decades again Lake Erie was thought to be a “dead lake” … it has made a remarkable recover.
Tomorrow I plan to continue along the shore for a long as I can.
This is definitely the way I want to travel. No destination. No time frame. Just drive where the roads lead me. I am looking forward to see what tomorrow brings.
April 2, 2012
ON THE BANKS OF THE GRAND RIVER
I spent my first night parked on the bank of the Grand River
in the Dunnville area. A beautiful and sunny day.
April 3, 2012
EARLY MORNING MIST
After leaving the Dunnville area I encountered some fog and mist.
The cooler morning air meeting the warm ground created an eerie scene.
03-APR-2012
GRAND RIVER SCENIC PARKWAY
Located in Haldimand County
03-APR-2012
COUNTRY ROADS
One of the many back roads that I travelled during this trip.
03-APR-2012
LAKE ERIE IN THE MORNING
Looking across Lake Erie from the Canadian shore.
It was such a beautiful morning. Clean fresh air and a nice breeze
blowing off the lake.
I travelled as much of the Erie shore as I could during this trip.
03-APR-2012
ROAR!!! I mean meow ...
Little kitty on the side of the road caught my eye.
He looked so alone ... but wouldn't come to me.
Not sure what I would have done if he/she had.
03-APR-2012
MORE WILDLIFE
Horses frolicking in the light of the early morning.
03-APR-2012
WE NEED MORE POWER SCOTTIE!!!
There are more and more wind turbines popping up along the shores
of Lake Erie as well as other areas in Ontario. In this area there seems
to be a lot of controversy with both sides arguing for and against having
the wind turbines.
I have to admit that I haven't given it much thought. I'll have to start
doing some research and see what it is all about.
04-APR-2012
BEAUTIFUL WATERS OF LAKE ERIE
At one time Lake Erie was declared a DEAD lake. It was so full of filth and pollution
from chemicals pouring in from the American factories along their side of
the border. After many years and many battles the governments of Canada & US
came up with a plan to clean the lake.
Many decades later the results can be seen with beautiful colours of blues and turquoise.
Lake Erie has now become a popular recreation area for boating and fishing. Unfortunately
there are still many areas along the shore posted with warnings not to swim because of
high bacteria levels.
April 4, 2012
Oh what a beautiful day it was today. I am sitting on the shore next to the Pelee Island Ferry docks in Leamington Ontario. The sun is shimmering across the water. The weather has been sun and blue skies all day.
I left St. Thomas/Port Stanley this morning and headed along the coast roads again. This time I was in for a surprise. Check out the pictures below.
The pavement gave way to a gravel stone road. It continued for about 20 or more kilometres. I also managed to drive down a few dead end streets and wound up at different beaches along the coast.
All in all a wonderful and relaxing day. I stopped in Blenheim, Ontario for lunch. Never even heard of the place. It has a large freshwater harbour area that is home to several fish processing plants and a fishing fleet. Who knew??
Farming and fishing seem to be two of the largest industries in this area. I took several barn pictures that I will add to my BARNS GALLERY on PBASE.
I am spending the night in Leamington and will decide tomorrow whether I will continue on to Windsor tomorrow. I was in Windsor once in the mid 80’s. Not overly fond of the larger cities … but since I am only 60 kilometres away … might as well.
04-APR-2012
THE END OF THE ROAD
While driving along the roads bordering Lake Erie I can to the end
of paved roads. I was rather surprised but decided to continue anyway.
This particular area west of Port Stanley is largely farm country.
04-APR-2012
WORKING THE FIELDS
This farmer was out early in the morning "fertilizing" his fields.
Check out the next picture.
04-APR-2012
HAND ME THE NOSE PLUG
I remember my dad talking about the fresh country air.
I sure hope this is NOT what he was talking about.
It is what is seems ... liquid manure being spread on the fields.
The smell stayed with the RV for at least a half hour after I opened the door
to take the picture. It was sickening.
04-APR-2012
PIONEER BARN - 1818
I noticed that a number of barns in this area has painted symbols or crests
on them. I understand that they are referred to as Painted Barn Quilts.
They have various symbols and colours and apparently each has a specific
meaning or reference. I'm not sure what this "quilt" means.
This particular barn is a Pioneer Farm barn dated 1818.
04-APR-2012
TERESA MARIE
The Teresa Marie had just backed out of her dock and was getting ready to head
out into Lake Ontario.
04-APR-2012
HARBOUR AT BLENHEIM, ONTARIO
Some of the fishing boat in the harbour at Blenheim, Ontario. Many of the crews
were reading the boats for fishing. It was a great day for it.
04-APR-2012
SUNSET OVER LAKE ERIE
BEAUTIFUL ENDING to a beautiful day. Overlooking Lake Erie
from the docks in Leamington, Ontario.
05-APR-2012
April 5, 2012
Before leaving Leamington I sat on the ferry dock as the ferry to Pelee Island was boarding. I thought about heading over to Pelee Island but it was pretty expensive for just a one day trip.
I continued following the various coast roads and made several stops along the way. I was heading to the Windsor area.
Once I got to Windsor the traffic surely pickup. I had the road pretty much to myself over the past several days ... and LOVE IT!! As I found my way to Riverside Dr. I remember it as being a beautiful drive along the Detroit River. It had improved even more. There were a number of parks and parking areas to stop and enjoy the view, including the skyline of Detroit, MI, across the river.
Speaking of the Goodyear Blimp ... check out the picture taken with my Sigma 150-500 lens. Their is much to see and do in the Windsor area and I am looking forward to my return trip.
As evening closed in I stopped along Highway 2 at an abandoned church. I decided it looked suitable and I parked for the night. Little did I realize that a VIA rail line was directly behind the church. I found out about three in the morning when a train went by ... whistle just a blowing for all it was worth. Scared the heck out of me.
April 5, 20112
THE PLACE TO BE
So says the sign ... Windsor is or at least was a large automotive town. With
Detroit, MI just across the river. It was also the location of the first Casino
in Ontario, which is still operating today.
05-APR-2012
DETROIT SKYLINE
Detroit skyline as seem from across the Detroit Rive in Windsor, Ontario
Notice the Goodyear Blimp flying over the river ... also see NEXT picture.
April 5, 20112
GOOD YEAR
A shot of the Good Year Blimp as taken with my BIGMA.
April 5, 20112
ASSUMPTION PARK
I was parked in the park overlooking the Detroit River
and the Detroit skyline. Beautiful tree shaded park.
April 5, 20112
THE AMBASSADOR BRIDGE
One of two International crossing between Windsor, Ontario &
Detroit, MI. the other is a tunnel under the Detroit River.
April 5, 20112
SAILING UNDER THE AMBASSADOR BRIDGE
A ship sailing under the Ambassador Bridge in the Detroit River.