Riding Mountain Bison Compound

The next morning very early I was up and on the road to the Bison Compound. Yes, I said Bison. No sooner had I turned off the main road I spotted my first moose. I almost drove right by him/her. It was tucked back in the bush real nicely.

Nice little beaver dam

The road into the compound was very rough to say the least. Much of it was washboard, other parts just big potholes. The distance is 39 kms from the campground to the compound.

Jackfish Creek

Bison are no longer in danger of becoming extinct. In 1889 there were less than 100, now there are over 40,000 in Canada. In the summer the bison move to the south range when the fescue goes to seed. Also, bison rut in late July early August. In the fall bison calves are grazing not nursing. In the winter bison move to the north range which provides enough food for survival. Unlike most animals, bison face into the wind as their fur is heaviest over their head, neck, and shoulders. In spring the bison are still in the north range. They shed their winter coats. Calves are mainly born in May.

Entrance to Bison Compound ...Texas Gate 

Then I turned a corner and there she was with her baby. What amazing creatures. At one point she walked right beside my truck. I'm sure I still have bison hair on the grill.

After an hour of watching Mum and baby I went back to the bison information center. I was a little nervous walking the pathway up to the gate. Bisons can roam this whole area if they want.

Looking out over the fescue plains I couldn't see another bison.

After spending 3 hours in the compound I decided that it was time I headed back. Momma and baby headed into the bush to get relief from the hot sun. What a morning.

Day 8 - 9 Riding Mountain National Park, Wasagaming MB

It was another shorter drive 338 kms or 222 miles on our way to Riding Mountain National Park. The day is gorgeous, bright, sunny, and getting warmer. The further into Manitoba we go the flatter it gets. We finally meet up with the Yellowhead Highway. This highway will take us to Edmonton but not today.

Many of the old dilapidated grain elevators that were standing when I lived in Saskatchewan I'm sure have been replaced with new concrete or steel ones like these ones.

Before getting to Riding Mountain we stopped at a great rest area in Minnedosa. Canvasback Ducks live only in North America and 10% of the breeding population come to southwestern Manitoba. Researchers have come to this area to study Canvasback Ducks since the 1950’s.

We finally arrive at Riding Mountain National Park and I can tell it's the place for me. Lots and lots of things to see and do.

After we get all set up and after supper near dusk Susan  and I decide to go for a drive through the National Park on their main road. It didn't take to long before we started seeing wildlife. I'm happy.

We also spotted an old fire control tower. It's still being used today. Also spotted an old beavers den with a semi-dried up pond.

All in all I think we counted 7 deer, 4 bear, a bald eagle, but no moose yet. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Day 7 - Rock Garden Campground, Richer, MB

We woke to a cool but gorgeous sunny day. After taking the dogs for a long walk we broke camp and were on the road at 8:45. We all needed diesel/gas so we made a quick stop in Dryden which is 15 minutes down the road. Susan, Kathy, and Bev all went grocery shopping while Bob, Ted, and I filled the tanks. Today we are driving a distance of 196 miles or 314 kms. Much of the terrain has changed from up and down hills, around sharp curves to rolling hills and flatter landscape.

Susan managed to snap a picture of a really cool totem pole as we were driving by.

We stopped for lunch at the abandoned Ontario travel center near the Manitoba boundary. It was still open as a rest stop but nothing else.

Finally the time has come, we are out of Ontario and now in Manitoba. Yeah. Don’t get me wrong I love Ontario but it is one huge province.

Before going to the campground for the night we fueled up then went across the road for ice cream. It was a pretty cool place with lots of wood carvings outside.

The campground wasn’t the greatest but it worked for one night. After supper I took the dogs for a walk along the trail. We were halfway around and I found a tick on my pants. Then I found one on Calusa. After I got back I did a tick check on the dogs and myself. I found another one on the couch where I was sitting. I’m not doing that trail again. Terrible little critters. 

Day 6 - Wabigoon RV Park, Wabigoon, ON

It was not the nicest of days to wake up to. It was cool (46F),  rainy, and miserable. However, if you have to get somewhere I would rather drive in the rain and enjoy the sun another day when we don't have to drive. Our destination is Wabigoon Lake RV Park a distance of 421 kms or 262 miles. Yes we are still in Ontario.

We had to break camp in this weather. Even with my slicker on I was soaked. Oh well I really don't mind.

I had to fuel up so the others left just behind me. Precious will catch them in no time. For those who don't know Precious is my truck. Yes, Susan gave me my credit card and not my wallet, sent me on my way and said don't lose it. ha!ha! Funny girl.

Each night we discuss the route and also the final destination so everyone is on the same page. Our route takes us around Thunder Bay on the 102 by-pass then we connect back up with the TCH 17. Or that's what I thought. Anyway, Ted and Bev are in the front, Bob and Kathy are next, then us. Everything is going as smooth as silk. We get to the 102 by-pass, Ted goes straight Bob follows and I stop before the cut-off. I get on my walkie-talkie and announce "guys aren't we suppose to take the cut-off. Bob says yes no answer from Ted. I go right, Bob goes right, and poor Ted is oblivious that we have turned. We pull into the Walmart and wait still no Ted. Susan and Kathy do some shopping. I take the dogs for a walk and Bob tries Ted by phone. No answer. They know our final destination lets go.

It's still ugly and rainy out. We did manage to see a moose and her two calves feeding back in the marshy area. We also went through a time zone change. We are now on central time gaining an hour.

We pull into the park and who arrived just before we did but Ted and Bev. The moral of the story is Ted decided to change the plans on the fly but neglected to tell everyone. Oh well, all is good we are safe. It's a great park with W/E/S and fantastic WiFi. The only downside is we are sandwiched between the TCH and the railroad tracks. However, the traffic and trains didn't seem to run in the wee hours of the night.

I talked to the owner and they grow all their own vegetables. This garden was huge. 

Wabigoon Lake is just behind the campground and filled with fish. There were a few ducks on the lake but too far away to tell what they were.

Fish Cleaning Hut by the Lake

Just as I was walking back to the rig a bald eagle flew over with a fish in it's talon and two crows chasing it. Nice

Day 5 - Stillwater Park Campground, Nipigon ON

Yes, we are still in Ontario and will be for a couple more days. Some people have no idea how large this province is until they drive it themselves. The last time I did this drive was when I moved from BC back to Ontario to do my nurses training. Now that's a long time ago.

Today the drive is from Wawa, ON to Nipigon, ON a distance of 364 kms or 226 miles. That doesn't seem like a long drive but it is when you are going up and down hills and around shape curves. You have to remember there are at the very least a million transport trucks flying by. And who ever thought Ontario wasn't hilly is... wrong.

We are going slow enough to enjoy the scenery but not to slow to hold up traffic. Yes that's me enjoying the view. Susan caught me sightseeing.

The next picture was taken just after a sharp curve in the road and a long uphill for us. The sign on the side of the road is telling drivers to move over. There was a crash that happened earlier in the day...a transport truck lost control.

One of many areas of road work that goes on in Northern Ontario when the weather turns nicer. Thought I would do something funky with this picture. Turned out okay.

We finally arrived at Stillwater RV Park about an hour later than anticipated. Well, let me tell you the story. We left Wawa Campground and stopped about an hour later to fuel up. I went in to pay with wallet in hand, came back out, we all got in the truck and away we go. Ten minutes down the road we were pulled over looking for my wallet. Couldn't find it. Basically we took everything out of the truck but to no avail. Back we go while the others continued on. Nothing they could do. Got back to the gas station, asked if anyone found a wallet...NOPE! I won't tell you what I was thinking. Anyway we pulled the inside of the truck apart again, and just as we were ready to give up, I spotted something by the seat...Yeah it was my wallet. Susan and I had looked there and both swore it was not in the truck. Anyway all is well, I found my wallet and Susan has control of it. I will let her think that. LOL!  We caught up to the others and all had a good laugh at beer thirty when we told the story.

Later, a few of us with dogs in toe went for a walk along their hiking trail. Some trail, first we almost had to cut through all the brush, and second we sort of got lost. We finally made it back then realized we were not on the hiking trail at all. We did manage to come across a great vehicle. Bob thinks it pre 1950. I don't know but I bet my brother-in-law would.

Day 4 - continued

The Wawa RV Park was a great place for overnighting. I wanted to include these pictures on my earlier blog but I fell asleep and forgot. So here they are. 

We were all getting ready to leave in the morning but the nasty job of dumping had to be done first. Awe the life of an RVer. 

Day 4 - Wawa RV Campground, Wawa, ON

Today we are travelling from Chutes PP to Wawa, ON a distance of 437 km or 272 miles. It's also the first day we are travelling together as a group. We have travelled to Labrador and Newfoundland together but that was with a very large caravan. 

There are some ground rule when travelling together in RV's. Everyone has to know the end of the days destination. Also if you need gas/diesel say so, don't run out or even worse get caught in no mans land with no stations for 100 miles. And the most important if you need a pee break just let everyone know your stopping or want to stop. Nine time out of ten we will all need to pee. We're not young spring chickens anymore.

The trip took us along the North Channel of Georgian Bay into Sault Ste Marie then along Lake Superior into Wawa.
Unfortunately we hit allot of construction which slowed us down considerably. However, we are not in a hurry so everyone just sat back and enjoyed the scenery.

We stopped at a scenic lookout overlooking Alona Bay on Lake Superior. Did you know Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and the third largest in volume. If Lake Superior's coast was unraveled into a highway, it would extend 2,939 kms or 1826 miles. More than the distance from Alona Bay to Miami. The deepest spot at 406 meters or 1,322 feet is located 140 kms or 87 miles to the west.
To the left of the little island 30 kms or 19 miles, on November 9th 1975 the Edmund Fitzgerald, a 222 meter or 729 foot long iron ore carrier, sank with all 29 hands on board. 

Theano Point is the suspected location of Canada's first uranium discovery in 1847 by Dr. John Le Conte.

 We finally arrived at Wawa RV Campground and none to soon. It has to be beer thirty or happy hour time. I know I sure need an adult beverage. But first I have some landscaping or tree maintenance to do. My job is never done.

Can you see the wine glass on the table in the foreground. They started without me. I'll catch up don't you worry.