Great Lakes & St Lawrence River
Monday 16th July
An even hotter day and still no wind.
The day was marked by road closures and lengthy detours. The passing countryside was uninspiring until we reached Lake Michigan. We followed the lake shore for over fifty miles with views pas lakeside developments to the lake itself.
Overnight at Walmart, Escanaba on the Michigan Upper Peninsula.
Tuesday 17th July
At last, a cooler start to the day. As we were parked by a Walmart Super Centre we decided to do a good shop before we head out of the States for the last time. We managed to get most of Ali’s requested cooking items so I hope they don’t melt before they reach the UK!
We drove a short way north to Marqette, a small town on the southern shore of Lake Superior.
We stopped for lunch in a layby close to a lake shore beach – no swimming allowed due to dangerous offshore currents.
As it started to rain we spent the afternoon catching up with jobs around the motorhome and writing emails/sending texts as we had reception.
Overnight at Walmart, Marquette – discovered rather late in the day that we were now on Eastern Standard Time.
Wednesday 18th July
We had a leisurely morning – filling up with water and showering at a beautifully situated campsite on the shores of Lake Superior – we paid a daily charge for use of campsite facilities but whilst there, many others came and used facilities without paying!
The drive there was close to the clear, sparkling blue waters – a real treat. We then headed south back to the shores of the northern end of Lake Michigan – again a beautiful drive following the lake shore – sandy beaches backed by pine forests.
We crossed the impressive Mackinac Bridge ($10 toll) into Lower Michigan and followed the shore of Lake Huron to Cheboygan for an overnight at Walmart. The lake shore was not really visible from the road.
Thursday 19th July
Headed back to Mackinaw City, a small town situated by the Mackinac Bridge. We spent a number of hours wandering Colonial Michilimackinac. This is a reconstructed fort complex that dates back to 1715. It was originally built by the French but in 1761 the British took over control. The fortified community developed strong fur trading links with the local Indian Tribes. All the exhibits and reconstructions were authentically presented.
After a late lunch we used a laundromat before heading back north over the Mackinac Bridge en route to Sault St. Marie where we overnighted at Walmart.
Friday 20th July
A day of two Sault St. Marie’s – one in Michigan, USA & one in Ontario, Canada. We spent the morning at the Soo Locks complex, watching a couple of videos, walking along the side of the McCarthy Lock, then watched a vessel pass through the Poe Lock.
After lunch we crossed into Canada using the International Bridge – toll $5.50. We visited the Canadian Locks which now handle leisure traffic only. We also saw a reconstruction of the original “canoe” lock built in 1797.
Next we visited the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site. A weekend re-enactment was taking place to mark the bicentenary of the 1812 war against the British. There were a number of tented encampments but very little actually happening apart from a display by fife and drum team – very slick.
Overnight at Walmart on the Canadian side of the St. Mary’s Rapids, the 7 metre fall of water between the higher Lake Superior and lower Lake Huron.
Saturday 21st July
A lazy start to the morning due to a thunderstorm. We then picked up the Trans Canada Highway 17 which we followed all day. Initially there were tantalising glimpses of Lake Huron, but for much of the day it was an uninspiring drive through forest or farmland. Settlements were linear.
Overnight at Walmart carpark at North Bay.
Sunday 22nd July
A fairly short day’s drive continuing en route towards Ottawa – much warmer again. Scenery was pleasant – mixed woodland with occasional glimpses of rivers and lakes. Noted a number of brick built houses.
In Renfrew we stopped to use the dump station by the Visitor Centre. The girl manning reception said we were welcome to park overnight. A guy driving a superb 1960’s Caddillac convertible stopped for a chat – he was impressed by our camper, John was even more impressed by his car!
Monday 23rd July
Still very hot and close. We were woken early as the Visitor Centre carpark was used by car-sharers heading for work!
We drove towards Ottawa to find an RV accessory shop for a stick-on map of Canada – successful at the first shop.
After lunch we headed south towards the St. Lawrence River. We followed a scenic road along the northern shoreline, but views of the river were few and far between.
Just as we reached our over-night halt at Walmart, Cornwall, the storm that had been threatening all day, finally broke.
Tuesday 24th July
We both felt tired and lethargic today so decided to have a quiet day with not too much driving.
We visited the Lost Villages Open Air Museum – a collection of buildings that were moved from their original location due to the imminent flooding of the land as part of the St. Lawrence River Seaway project which was completed in 1959. It was a fascinating collection which we could wander around freely. We even had the president of the Historical Society set the scene of why the six villages and three hamlets became “lost”.
Overnight at Walmart on the Canadian side of the St. Mary’s Rapids, the 7 metre fall of water between the higher Lake Superior and lower Lake Huron.
Saturday 21st July
A lazy start to the morning due to a thunderstorm. We then picked up the Trans Canada Highway 17 which we followed all day. Initially there were tantalising glimpses of Lake Huron, but for much of the day it was an uninspiring drive through forest or farmland. Settlements were linear.
Overnight at Walmart carpark at North Bay.
Sunday 22nd July
A fairly short day’s drive continuing en route towards Ottawa – much warmer again. Scenery was pleasant – mixed woodland with occasional glimpses of rivers and lakes. Noted a number of brick built houses.
In Renfrew we stopped to use the dump station by the Visitor Centre. The girl manning reception said we were welcome to park overnight. A guy driving a superb 1960’s Caddillac convertible stopped for a chat – he was impressed by our camper, John was even more impressed by his car!
Monday 23rd July
Still very hot and close. We were woken early as the Visitor Centre carpark was used by car-sharers heading for work!
We drove towards Ottawa to find an RV accessory shop for a stick-on map of Canada – successful at the first shop.
After lunch we headed south towards the St. Lawrence River. We followed a scenic road along the northern shoreline, but views of the river were few and far between.
Just as we reached our over-night halt at Walmart, Cornwall, the storm that had been threatening all day, finally broke.
Tuesday 24th July
We both felt tired and lethargic today so decided to have a quiet day with not too much driving.
We visited the Lost Villages Open Air Museum – a collection of buildings that were moved from their original location due to the imminent flooding of the land as part of the St. Lawrence River Seaway project which was completed in 1959. It was a fascinating collection which we could wander around freely. We even had the president of the Historical Society set the scene of why the six villages and three hamlets became “lost”.
After lunch we drove the spectacular Long Sault Parkway which links the high points of land left after the flooding of the St. Lawrence River. The islands were laid as parks and cycle/walking paths.
Overnight at Walmart, Cornwall again.
Wednesday 25th July
To begin with we continued to follow the road following the northern bank of the St. Lawrence River – pretty views. As we neared Montreal, we joined the motorway as it was the best option to get us across the city.
Montreal is situated on a large island most of which is now covered by urban sprawl. The roads were frenetic and at times progress was slow especially on the elevated sections of the highway (in the centre of the city).
After Montreal we decided to follow the Chemin du Roy, the first carriage road linking Montreal to Quebec. It was not well signed! To begin with we went round in a large circle until we found the signs. The road started off along the river’s edge giving views across to the far bank, but soon the road became a tedious, badly surfaced road through non-descriptive farmland.
Eventually we reached Trois Riviéres and despite having the wrong co-ordinates on the iPad, we eventually reached Walmart our overnight destination. No wi-fi connections at McDonald’s in Quebec it seems.
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