Day 4
Day 4 I got a late start.
I lingered too long in my room, showering and packing slowly. Would have helped if the television wasn't on, but I kept pausing to watch a bit of this Canada Customs agent show. Not proud I like that stuff.
Then next door to the coffee shop. Took a while to get served, but I was patient and feeling superior to all the impatient folks around me. Watched a mom negotiate with her toddler for a half hour. "If you eat then ...". Lord, glad those days are behind me. Had a nice morning snack and finally hit the road.
And I immediately hit a whole series of hold ups for road construction. More daylight being wasted. But the weather was good and the temperature comfortable. I'd get off the bike and stretch my legs and look around a bit.
Finally got to take my left and head north. I was heading to Sioux Lookout, and maybe as far north as Savant Lake. For no particular reason other than I saw them on a map and they were pretty far north. Kinda thought I might make it to Thunder Bay or Kakabeka Falls, but plans were not firm.
Got to Sioux Lookout and it was another fine town that seemed to be prospering with a heavy native population. Doing a lot better than White Dog. I rode around the airport, it was a pretty good size. There was one shop with a pile of airplane carcasses next to it. There were small lots everywhere filled with mainly pickups and SUVs. It was confusing, but then I realized, these all probably belonged to people who had been flown north to remote resorts and lakes in the northland. I get there feeling there are a ton of people up there flown into the wilderness.
I started to head north, but on a rise I could see weather ahead. I did not feel like being chilled and out of the sun, so I changed plans and took a cutoff to the east. Pretty nice land and a fine ride, but kept looking over my shoulders at the weather following me.
I could look at Indian Paintbrush along the road all day long.
When I got back to Rt 17 it was time to make time. I was minding my own business and just putting on miles when the lady about killed me.
I came over a rise and saw coming towards me an older RV in his lane, and two vehicles trying to pass him coming at me in my lane. They were beyond the passing zone and way too close. The car in front made it over in front of the RV, but the second car wasn't able to make it. My problem was I was doing 65 or so and didn't particularly want to hit the gravel along the roadside at that speed. So I moved right as far as I could, on the white line or on the little sliver of pavement next it and those two passed me side-by-side.
What really rattled my cage, beside nearly being killed, was the woman driving that car. I can still picture her clearly, red faced and mad and screaming at her windshield. Mouth wide open and in rage. She gave not one ounce of care to me, no horror or shame, just anger that, what?, the RV was ruining her day?
I briefly considered turning around and chasing her down, but really couldn't figure out how that could end well. I pulled over to gather myself. Would have been nice if a Provincial cop happened by, I'd have waved him down and given a description. As it was I drank some water and rested and eventually started heading down the road again.
When I got close to Thunder Bay I decided I wasn't in the mood for a city, so I went over to Kakabeka Falls. I probably should have camped, but I was tired and there was weather behind me and the exchange rate was such that everything in Canada was on sale. So I grabbed another motel room, got way too much burger and onion rings and shake, and watched more of that wonderfully awful Canadian Customs show with a beer or two.
