SOO TO THE VIEW

Sault Ste. Marie is celebrating its 100th anniversary and claims to be North America's largest centre for alternative energy ----- wind, solar, thermal. We also visited the local fish hatchery where Pat's uncle Arnold sired salmon and trout back in the '60's. Ever the farm girl, she remembers being there at age 8 and using a flush toilet for the first time!

Then another scenic ride, this section through the lakes and cottages of the Canadian Shield. One pretty village is South Baymouth where the ferry ChiCheemaun ("Big Canoe" in Ojibwa) arrived to carry us to the other pretty side at Tobermory. What is evident is the lack of American tourists, compared to other years.

So we're back home after a driving trip of more than 5,000 miles. It was reinvigorating to again see the massive size and beauty of this country. The worst damage of the ride was a stone chip in the windshield, the best feeling of the trip is to be home. The ongoing drought has browned the ground ---- those leaves are dry, not frost-bitten! We have been away long enough that the baby rabbits aren't afraid of humans. And how to apologize to the pole beans for running out of pole?? Thanks, angels, now back to chores for a while!