Day 7: Catfish Lake to Cedar Lake to Fredonia, NY

We woke as usual but the sun did not rise to greet us. It was somewhat overcast today but no rain yet. The two loons from last night swam around camp as we packed the gear up for the last time.

We set off into the cool water and the sun poked in and out of the thick low hanging clouds.

A short paddle led us to the old log flume

Matt could barely stand the fury of the mighty flume

The colors along the river began to brighten significantly as if someone turned the switch on fall

We had a couple large portages this morning including a doozey up Unicorn Hill of 2345m. The bugs were terrible and I have a funny video I hope to add shortly.

Back on the Petawawa we had some protein bars then nearly paddled off a waterfall.

I found this little guy trying to get a sip

Beard wanted to test the waterproofness of his camera and boots.

The waterfall we almost went over.

I just liked this mossy log.

A few more portages brought us back down to Cedar Lake with a big tailwind. A family of 5 was fishing at the portage but having little luck. We wished them the best then went banging and beating our canoe into the lake to surely scare away any potential catches. Sorry folks - chose the wrong spot to fish. We dug in hard and paddled against the lake with a big tailwind carrying us back to Brent!

With the 5 day loop completed, we stowed the canoe, turned in the gear, checked out and began to load up the GS's for the big ride to "wherever we make it" tonight.

Back on the Brent Rd, the traction was much better with dry terrain save for the few sandy spots that'd eat your front tire and nearly send you into the ditch.

Stopped by the impact crater again.

I was riding so close to the right side of the road I caught a flower for a few hundred meters.

Beard moving - really getting it on that new-to-him 1150. He dun good :clap

Back on the pavement and we were flying!

Traffic sorta picked up just outside Matawa where the OPP had Hwy17 closed in the EB direction :eek1 Apparently there had been a tragic accident beyond Brent resulting in a fatality. Canadian law states the accident scene not be disturbed and no vehicles moved until proper authorities and inspectors can arrive. The backup was miles long and expected to take 8-10 hours we heard.

After a wifi overexposure and food from Tim Hortons, we set out down the road onward to the states.

Lots of gray sky and temps in the low 50s with crosswinds.

Inookshooks guide the way

I may or may not have violated this rule intentionally :augie

Some of the many small rivers we passed with nice vacation homes and docks on their shores.

These agricultural fields reminded me of central California in scale and smell

Just past Barrie, traffic picked up considerably and slowed to a crawl. We could see a helicpoter hovering a few miles up so creatively ran the median up until we saw a police car helping a motorist (not the accident) which we passed shortly thereafter.

Approaching Toronto, one begins to see the massive suburban sprawl and theme park.

Old man Jake at the Brent Store said to take the toll lanes and we wouldn't likely get a bill from the Canadian authorities.

So we did in STYLE!

Off the hip shot of sunset while the flag came in to view.

99% Chance Beard does this when you pull alongside;

Crossing a huge bridge outside Hamilton

Quite a bit of damage here to take in.

He really wanted me to take his picture so I obliged:

Beard suggested the Duty Free before crossing over. I had some Tim's and picked up two of my favorite bottles of Canadian Whisky for cheap!

My first night crossing...not the best for pictures.

Here we are waiting for our spot in line. I have a video from here I will post as well.

As we raced south of Buffalo heading for Fredonia, the winds off the lake picked up and blew us all over the place. A huge system was working its way across the water right toward us and would hit overnight. I, for once in a while, was happy to have a garage to pull into and a roof to hang my head under for a night.