The profound thought for the day: Planning an easy day and HAVING an easy day can be two very different things!
We decided to experience a bit of this gorgeous place and do a 42-mile bicycle tour of the island--still progressing toward our goal. We cycled from the north to south ends, which was the short expanse of the island. It is probably 3 times that wide. We were looking forward to an easy day!
What we didn't count on was the 35 kmph wind screaming from the west. Oh, sure: where were those winds when we were heading EAST? It was hard to stay in your line on the road--we kept being pushed into the lane by gusts. Today, the traffic was light and the people were great about passing us with plenty of room to spare. So we considered ourselves lucky!
Our tough ride was broken into segments. First, we rode about 12 km to Shegoiandah and stopped at the museum there. They were having a pottery exhibit of present and past potters. We saw lots of nice pottery some interesting glaze techniques. It got us itching to get back to the studio to make some things of our own!
Then we cycled about 10 more km to Ten Mile Point, which was a wonderful spot to see the view--the huge South Bay and Manitoulin's peninsula that sticks out to the East. They also had a trading post for shopping--and David, as always, was a super shopper! Several people who were shopping mentioned that they had seen us on the road, and commented about trying to ride in those strong winds. It was just like small town America!
After that stop, the wind picked up (unbelievably)! We also turned and spent some time heading straight into it! Even strong-man David could only muster about 8 mph into the wind. And to throw another insult at us, Canada threw in some extra tough hills! How rude!
But we made it to Manitowaning for lunch, and the last 15 km or so we persevered into South Baymouth. This town had a lot less than Little Current, but we found an interesting Gallery/Guesthouse to stay in--the Southside Gallery and Guesthouse. By guesthouse, they mean something like a B&B, except we had to share a bathroom with two other rooms. Interesting! Somewhat like a hut trip, but with strangers. Anyway, it worked out OK, except for our door didn't lock! One of the other guests kept mistaking our room for hers--and kept walking right in! We would just say "Hi, Brenda" and she would apologize and quickly go out! But it kept us on our toes...
David had liver & onions for dinner and I had perogies, which we have seen on almost every menu in Canada so far. We were at Carol and Earl's restaurant, and it was a hearty family meal!
We slept with the breeze from the South Bay coming into our window (and Brenda occasionally coming into our door), and got ready to catch the ferry!
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