Sunshine on Lake Superior

It's Cheryl again. After several days with a lot of rain, it's nice to see the sun again. But northern Ontario was surprisingly pretty--so many times I've heard it said that there is "nothing" out here. Not so! No strip malls or cities, true, but there is plenty to see. The trees and lakes are reminiscent of B.C., but everything is small. It is like wandering into a storybook forest, Hansel and Gretel territory. And it does feel awfully remote. I've been searching in vain for a glimpse of the ghost of Tom Thomson, because I'm sure he is haunting these woods. I also haven't seen a moose yet--sigh--but the wildflowers make up for it. Even the insects are coloured like jewels.

The unsettled weather is not as discouraging as I would have expected. Every day is a little different, and every morning brings a change, for better or worse. Whatever happened last week seems worlds away. Chris and I have developed some new skills, too. We are now remorseless mosquito-killing machines, and experts at running, hopping and scrambling out of the bug-infested woods of northern Ontario after those inevitable "rest stops." Yes, it's the quintessential Canadian comedy moment. I'm sure those passing truckers have seen it all before.

It wasn't until we left the prairies that both of us started to feel this was real, and now that we have made some progress we both feel more relaxed and able to enjoy the strangeness of it all. A sense of humour is essential at times, as well as the ability to notice and appreciate the details all around you. Of course, some times that means noticing which gas stations have the really good paper-towel dispensers, and how the Smitty's breakfast skillet differs ever so slightly from province to province. Hey, if you just spent a year studying literary theory like I did, you'd understand why this is so appealing to me.

Well, the fireworks are starting in Thunder Bay. Happy Canada Day everyone!

Love, Cheryl