Day 33 Taylor's Cove Campground at Rainy Lake to Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario

101.4 miles, 3,360 ft ascent 

Quetico Park, together with Superior National Forest on the US side of the border in Minnesota, form the largest international wilderness recreation area in the world.  The many interconnected lakes create a canoe paddler's paradise.  Merry Ann and I spent a nice vacation canoe paddling, and camping with our dogs on islands in the Minnesota Boundary Waters years ago.  

Today's itinerary began at our campground on the gigantic Rainy Lake.  (At another location on Rainy Lake, Merry Ann and I  once sojourned  happily fishing walleye in waters around my uncle's cabin with my father, my uncle and group of my uncle's friends.)  Here you see a small part of Rainy Lake near our current campground.

First Nation Peoples are evidently very adept at combining words to make a new word as evidenced on this sign.  I would not even try to pronounce the name of this location.

 

 

A peaceful lake with an island along our route.

 

 

This stream flows out of a lake in the background.

Our itinerary today included a section of the Trans Canada Highway, Ontario 11.  Two days ago we were on the Trans Canada Highway, Ontario 17 out of Kenora.  There is less traffic on Ontario 11 so today's route was more pleasant riding.  Hmmmmm.  In this part of Ontario there were two Trans Canada Highways, a bit confusing to a non-Canadian.  In other parts of the country, the Trans Canada Highway was a federal highway #1.  If someone says they are driving the Trans Canada Highway, one has to ask, "Which one?"  

Midday I took a suggested side trip to Atikokan, a town with services available.  Unfortunately, Atikokan has a depressed economy.  I tried four restaurants before finding one open.  I did not try this particular place.  I think, had I designed this sign, I would have reordered the listed items to include the leeches with the live bait and tackle rather than with the food items on offer.  Sadly, this place was also out of business.

 

 

Below you see the very pleasant restaurant/bakery which was open, and  where I ordered a steak and cheese sandwich, an apple fritter, and coffee.  The coffee was essential, as it would be raining during the remaining 30+ miles to the campground for the night.

 

Yes, it was raining!  This is a view of one of the lakes we passed during the last 30 miles.  Not as colorful as when the sun is shining.

And, if you have never ridden a bicycle in the rain, you might like to see what the cyclist views while riding.  Note the rain on both sides of my glasses' lenses.

 

 

Objective achieved!  Arrived at Quetico Provincial Park.  Today was the second straight Imperial Century ride.  That is a first for me.  Tomorrow's ride is also a century.  It will be a hat trick for me, if I can pull it off.  The next day after that is a rest day in Thunder Bay, so rest is on the horizon.  

Now it's time to try to dry out and eat dinner.  Hope you stop by tomorrow for more Canadian adventure!