WeWe are in WaWa - WoWo

We finally have internet at our campsite so are able to post today as well as the last two days (without pictures for now) as the internet connection is so.......s...l..o...w....
Thanks for your patience!

SNM Tour Day 35

If you would have told me even a month ago that a windy, rainy day on the tour would be considered a "very good day" I would have been quite worried about my sanity. Today was for the most part cold, cloudy, windy and rainy and to be honest, it was a great day, even put in extra kilometers. How can this be, you might ask? The key was that after yesterday's gruelling day we were prepared for more of the same (or even worse).  What made the difference was that I was dressed for colder temperatures, the rain was not quite as heavy although was quite persistent, the ascents and descents were not nearly as severe and the wind was blowing in our favour. So bring on the wind, bring on the rain - I had a big smile on my wet face as we cruised past our planned destination and stopped just shy of Wawa - now some 90 km ahead of schedule (which doesn't sound like much, but gives us a bit of grace, just in case). 

Of note, it was a monochromatic day - under grey skies, we passed by White River and Black Lake.  The only color seemed to be when we said goodbye to
"Yellow Brick Road" (yes, there really is a yellow brick road in the middle of nowhere)- I laughed out loud and then started singing, which led to about an hour of Elton John's greatest hits - at least as many of the songs and lyrics that popped in to my head.

QUIZ QUESTIONS:

1. White River Ontario claims to be famous, with the captivating line "This is where it started...." What are they referring to (and can you answer this without looking it up on the internet?)
A. Home of a famous water company that states it has the cleanest water in Canada
B. The first beach boardwalk in Canada 
C. The hockey stick was allegedly invented here
D.The writing of Winnie the Pooh started here
E.  Where the term "white lightening" was first coined, when water from the river was used during the prohibition

2. Wawa's symbol is a giant goose. How many large statues does the town boast?
A. 0 (the statue burnt in a forest fire)
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
E. more than 5

3. We have passed a few "Moose Coolers" - what does this refer to?
A. Large refrigerator in which dead moose are hung before butchering
B. Place where moose hide their beer
C. A summer vodka drink
D. Slang term for OPP prison cell / drunk tank
E. Dress apparel from the 1930's made from moose fur

All answers in comment section - wawawinner takes all
All comments in answer section - wawawhat are you doing- there is no answer section!

We passed a number of gold mines today, many of which are not functioning, as we found out later. This area of the country has been dessimated with closures of mines, pulp and paper plants, particle board factories etc.  The populations of many of the surrounding small towns have been cut in half and we saw a lot of boarded up commercial buildings and for sale signs in Wawa which appears to be particularly hard hit.  We say similar signs of economic problems through the prairies which have been dealing with this for decades.  The problems in this part of Ontario seems to be much more current, a sign of the times.  

Tour Sponsor of the day Canada Diagnotic Centres - thanks so much for your encouragement and support of the tour.

Les got in a nice run with me this morning. Monique and Les got in a nice walk around campsite and we all met the very pleasant Lake couple - Al and Marion from New Hampshire who are touring around Canada - enjoy and hope the weather improves a bit as you make your way back home. 

Random quote of the day
I finally found my future lies, beyond the Yellow Brick Road...
E John, B Taupin

                            big hint for one of the questions above.........