I had one big awareness when looking back at my roadtrip through Ontario, Canada. Ontario is the fourth largest province in Canada and everyone told me it would take a few days to drive across. Travelling through this province was a bit of a geography lesson for me. I really did not realize how big it is! Being a bit of a slow poke driver it took me 10 days to get across the province. I travelled 2011 km.
My plan was to travel through the northern part of the province. I entered along Highway 17 and decided to stay on this road rather than take the northern Highway 11 which is more of a truck route. I travelled from Thunder Bay to Sault Sainte Marie to Ottawa. Cell service seems to always be a bit sketchy in Canada, which was another reason I decided to stay on the major highways.
It was a beautifully scenic route, a well maintained highway with slower speed limits of 70 or 90 km (45 to 55 miles per hour) with occasional passing lanes. The speed limit was slow through this province due to the windy roads and mountainous terrain. For me this was a safe travelling speed so was really able to enjoy the scenery.
I travelled in mid September so the temperature was pleasant with day temps averaging about 20 C (68 F) and evenings around 10 C (50 F). Perfect travelling and camping weather.
Stunning Lake Superior
The drive along Lake Superior was so beautiful and definitely my favourite area. Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and the third-largest by volume, holding 10% of the world’s surface fresh water.
I found the perfect spot to spend a few memorable days right on the beach of this huge lake. Stayed for 2 days at a beautiful rest stop near Rossport as I snagged the premium spot right at the beach. Views were spectacular, I felt safe, it was quiet and met some fellow travellers.
Meeting fellow travellers
I love to travel alone and so far on this trip I had not reached out to other travellers other than saying “hi” in passing. My interest was peeked when I overheard a conversation from a couple talking about travelling through Florida. I got up my nerve and walked over for a chat.
My plan was to head south to Florida in a few months so I wanted to get some ideas on where to stay. I had a wonderful afternoon chatting, getting tips on travelling through Florida and I made a new Facebook friend!
Another couple were looking for rocks along the beach. I approached them asking what they were looking for, once again I had a lovely conversation about rock hounding and traveling for the purpose. They gave me a beautiful rock as a gift. Another wonderful memory from this stunning spot.
Canada's Capital
I had been to Ottawa before so decided to drive through rather than stopping to sightsee. Ottawa is Canada’s capital. The Ottawa River runs through the centre of the city, it has our Federal Parliament buildings, grand Victorian architecture and museums showing our Canadian history. Rideau Canal is filled with boats in the summer and ice skaters in the winter. It is a wonderful city and I recommend anyone who has not been there before to definitely plan a visit.
My first Harvest Host stay
I experienced my first harvest host in this area, Orleans Fruit Market Farm. The farm overlooked a valley just outside of Ottawa. An apple orchard and strawberry farm. They sold a variety of vegetables at their market stand so I filled up my fridge. Harvest host has a subscription plan, you sign up and are given a list of hosts all across Canada and the USA. The hosts are small businesses so the understanding is to spend $20.00 in their stores or markets. It is a wonderful way to find a safe place to stay and meet people from all walks of life.
It was a lovely calm place where I could walk through the orchards and a working farm. I enjoyed the atmosphere of my first harvest host stay. I felt really safe, enjoyed the outdoor space, felt taken care of in the sense that I knew I was OK to park there and no one would be knocking on the door.
Originally Ontario was the province to get through to my destination which was the Maritimes provinces in the far eastern part of Canada. In this beautiful province I was reminded that the journey is definitely more important than rushing to get to a destination.
Where I stayed in Ontario
- Sept 7, 8 – Nestor Falls near Kenora
- Sept 9 – Rest stop 40 miles west of Thunder Bay
- Sept 10, 11 – Rest stop near Rossport
- Sept 12 – Gas station at Wasa
- Sept 13 – Lake near Blind River
- Sept 14 – Walmart in North Bay
- Sept 15 – Orleans Fruit Farm outside Ottawa, my first Harvest Host stayRest
There are many more areas on my “must see” road trip list in southern Ontario giving me several reasons to travel through this Canadian province on future trips. Continue with me on my cross Canada trip into Quebec.
love this Cath!
Brenda, thanks so much. I am so pleased you are enjoying my posts.
Enjoying reading about your travels, one part of me would like to do something like this and the other part is tied to my home area and pets…not sure which part will win out, I still have a few more years to work
I love that you enjoy my travels! I did short trips while I was still working, whatever works for you is perfect 🙂