Across the North

Here is a selection (carefully chosen) to highlight the essence of the true north as I see it: transport and communication: (by rivers, lakes, railway, roads, electronic means etc), infrastructure: (mills, farms, dams, bridges, 18 wheelers) and people. Few of the latter and scattered sparsely in small communities but with very big hearts, common sense, a strong sense of community and a lot of grit.  And thousands of lakes and rivers.

At a truck stop in Cochrane, TTC subway cars en route to Toronto.

Camp site at Dryden. Lulled to sleep by the pleasant rumble of rail traffic that seemed never to stop.

Up the Ottawa River

There are two parts to the stretch we have covered since leaving Ottawa. The first part is all about the mighty Ottawa River. and it covers the trip from Ottawa north through the Province of Quebec to Pembroke in Ontario again. This part reflects the historic pathways of our country, the vast networks of rivers and lakes that permitted the native peoples and the early voyageurs access into the middle sections of our country. The river were our first highways, and for Ontario interior access meant the Ottawa River. This first part of the trip through Quebec has a decided French atmosphere and style. I see no reason to comment except to point out approximately where we are at various stages....

Aylmer Quebec.

Up the Ottawa River

The Gatineau Hills. Ontario and Quebec people call them mountains...whatever you call them, they are very pretty and worthy of exploration.  http://www.ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places-to-visit/gatineau-park

Shawville, Quebec.

The route to Pembroke, on the Quebec side.

Covered bridge,

Water, always water...

Goodbye to Kars

This is a very short entry, but it deserves a special place as it occupies a special niche in the hearts and lives of my sister and brother-in-law. This historic home has been the heart of their family for almost 45 years. Its history belongs to my brother-in-law as he is the historian in the family. But 4 of their 5 children were born while living here, and their entire married years for the past half century have been etched into the structures and grounds of this village corner in Kars. Their children have grown, attended the village school, played along the banks of the river and their grandchildren now also live in the village and are are poised to live the same rich life as their mother and grandparents.

The house as seen from the carriage house and lot across the street.

The carriage house and house in the background.

The peaceful river scene taken from the foot of the garden lot.

This house has a wonderful kharma, it was a pleasure to spend the time in it that we did, having dinner around the table that once graced our own grandparent's dining room many decades ago, enjoying tea, conversation and much laughter in the midst of children and grandchildren.  It has been a pleasure indeed.

The Tale of Two Sisters

My older sister and I have been living vast distances apart for many years (Ontario and BC). Despite the long separations, we both have been delighted to find a lot of common ground, being both very opinionated, very silly (at times) and profoundly attached to family.  We are here sitting in my sister's backyard (behind the historic carriage house for some ancient buggy) which is across the street from their house and fronts onto the Rideau River for the purpose of our husband's taking our official photos. As you can see, we can't resist the opportunity to ham it up a bit...

This one has to be the classic shot. Who knows what made us giggle and grimace??

Inside their house across the street, my sister's husband Cameron cooked up a feast for all the family. Only Kathryn's Flora was absent due to work demands. On the left is her grandson Cameron, daughter Alexandra, son John and granddaughter Sydney. On the right side is Simon (Flora's husband), Rick, me and Heather (John's partner).

This photo we have Alexandra, John, Barbara (Flora's twin so if you have seen Barbara you don't need to see Flora) and Cameron at the end.

This was our last day in Kars, and all the family really enjoyed celebrating together. We hope for another visit soon, hopefully next time on Gabriola. The years pass by so quickly and the memories we make now are those we will pass on to our children and grandchildren (and great-grandchildren!). I have a great sense of pride to see so many of our mutual family doing so well, living in such harmony and making such wonderful lives of their own. Many thanks to family in Hampton and Kars and dear friends along the way for making this our greatest adventure to Ontario yet...Bye for now, but hopefully we will see all of you again and soon. Love to all.  Rick and Barbie