Day 5: Thunder Bay to Winnipeg
WINNIPEG – Heading out this morning, I mentioned to my daughter/navigator Olivia we would be visiting Kenora. I noted we’d get a chance to see the town’s many historical murals.
“They have historical urinals?”
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| OLIVIA LEBLANC FOR THE TORONTO STAR |
| Taking a break in picturesque Kenora. |
Yes, it’s a bit noisy in the Smart. And yes, crossing Ontario is one long drive. In fact, 2,324 km, by our Smart’s odo.
Our pit stop at home, in Ottawa Friday night, for a visit with Mrs. Automotive Journalist and my youngest daughter, Mia, seems like ages ago. And except for the shores of the St.Lawrence and Lake Superior, or the moonscape surrounding Sudbury, the landscape hasn’t been that dissimilar since leaving Halifax four days ago.
Trees, some rocky outcroppings, a few more trees, and hey, look over there, more rocky outcroppings. Today, by the time we were midpoint on the road between Thunder Bay and Dryden, the green monotony seemed to be getting to Olivia.
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| OLIVIA LEBLANC FOR THE TORONTO STAR |
| Canada sure has a lot of trees. And rocks. Trees and rocks. |
“How many trees do we really need?”
“Well, if you like the idea of toilet paper or cash, probably not enough. So you’re actually looking forward to the Prairies?”
“Yes! Anything but more cedar, pine, spruce, maple or hemlock!”
Earlier this afternoon, her wishes were soon met by the time we crossed over into Manitoba.
Once you drive through the long, straight-as-an-arrow section that bisects the Sandlands and Whiteshell Provincial Forests, near Ste. Anne in Manitoba, the land becomes decidedly flatter and more open.
Along the way to our night’s accommodations in Winnipeg, we zipped past a sign telling us we were passing the longitudinal centre of Canada.
For all intents and purposes, we’re now halfway through this little road trip.
Day 5: Monday, June 25
Thunder Bay to Winnipeg
Distance: 767 km
Average fuel consumption (L/100 km): 4.52
Weather: Off and on rain, 27C
Smart car sightings: 3
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