Highway 71: The Voyageur Route

A cool breeze continues to moderate Summer's heat. The weather has been ideal. Rain and Sun working together. Life emerging and expanding. I almost hate to say this but it could be just a little bit warmer. Actually, all we need is for the wind to stop. It is the cool northwest winds that are keeping the Sun's heat in check. This makes for great sleeping weather and for that I am glad but my pumpkins would like just a bit more heat. The wind is not the only problem. The heavy rain storms that we have been experiencing also leave considerable cloud in their wake so we not only get cooling winds but clouds blocking out the Sun, thus reducing the heat that does reach the pumpkins. Ah well such is Life.

Last week we took a look at the first half of the Great Northwest Circle. This week we explore the journey home, from Kenora to Thunder Bay, with stops in Fort Francis and Atikokan. It is in Kenora that we begin to see the connection to food and how it all comes together. Kenora has a chip wagon. Good old fashion, home cut french fries served with malt vinegar. Is there anything more delightful. Now I am a big fan of road food, not to be confused with road kill, which may one day become an article. I enjoy exploring road side restaurants and indulging in their specialities. The only downside with eating fries covered in vinegar in the vehicle is that the scent lingers. If you don't get an opportunity to air out the car before morning when you start the trip you are greeted by a reminder of yesterday's snack. It is a pleasant odour when you are devouring the chips but loses some of its appeal overnight. Still, the fries in Kenora are worth it. Food and the adventure of eating adds to the joy you can experience from a well organized trip. One of the main reasons that I look forward to my excursions to Toronto, besides it being my birth place, is food. Toronto is a great place to eat. Back to the road.

Beside enjoying the food there is another plus to stopping along the road and grabbing a snack. You get to contribute to the local economy. This is especially true in small towns and along secondary highways where you do not encounter ( at least not as often) the huge chains that suck dollars out of a community and send them elsewhere. You can always find a locally owned and independent restaurant and often a craft store. So you can pick up gifts for the ones you left behind.

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