In May 2014 I had the incredible opportunity to take part in a charity initiative with my great friend Daniel Carleton. In support of Make-A-Wish Foundation Canada, Dan rode a bicycle over 3000km's (1900 miles) from the Manitoba border to the Nation's capital Ottawa, and then on to Toronto where we both rappelled the 330 vertical feet down the side of Toronto City Hall.
Unlike Dan; I had the EASY job. I was responsible for supporting Dan by driving a Jeep full of supplies along his route, and at scheduled intervals we would meet along the journey for the refueling of water, food, man-hugs, etc. On my own time, I had the opportunity to explore sites along the journey, and every now and then Dan would hop off the bike and join me for a well-deserved excursion and period of 'rest' (the reason I used quotation marks here is because the excursions were usually the furthest thing from rest; Dan hiking for miles after riding 100-150km's in a day on a bicycle; is almost godlike).
From Ouimet Canyon; to erorded pre-historic volcano's in Neys Provincial Park; to the ghost town of Jackfish on North Shore Lake Superior (where a resident population of over-sizer, aggressive and incredibly agile chipmunks wreak havoc on the nerves of every passerby.. and by every.. I mean Dan); to the 'Grotto' at Tobermory; to the Native sacred site of "Dreamer's Rock" on Manitoulin Island- we saw all the sites. But this doesn't even begin to describe the incredible people we met along the way.
It was an invaluable experience for me. As someone who has spent more time exploring the world abroad, and many many corners of the United States- this was the opportunity for me to truly appreciate and experience the province I love and call home. Most importantly however, I was witness to Dan's incredible feat of endurance and perserverance against all odds. Not only did he have the weight of the kilometers ahead on his shoulders, but the terrible cold and wet weather through Northern Ontario wreaked havoc on the experience and morale.
Unbeknownst to me at the time, yet quickly discovered as we hit the road- was the size and scale of Ontario. It is the second largest province in Canada, and at 420,000 sq miles it is over half the size of Mexico and requires 24 hours just to drive from one side to the other- or in Daniel's case, the journey would take almost a full month.
Vermillion Bay. Ignace and Upsala. Nipigon. Terrace Bay. Wawa. Batchawanna Bay. Thessalon. Blind River. Manitoulin Island. Tobermory. Names and places I didn't even know existed would soon become familiar, and notches on the belt for a cherished memory and moment.
Below are the photos I snapped along the trip.
NOTE: I have a MASSIVE love for the movie "One Week" starring Joshua Jackson and it's evident in the photos. In the film, a young teacher is diagnosed with terminal cancer and is given ____ months to live. He decides to buy a motorcycle and departs on a trip of self-discovery across Canada, stopping at all of the homages to "BIG THING" roadside attractions along the way. At times- the trip across Canada can be boring. To compensate; the desolate gas stations and diners install massive sculptures and statues out front to attract those who are passing through.
