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June 30 (Wednesday) - Day
106 - Raleigh Falls, ON to Ignace, ON (32 km - 4:17 hr - total 3,125.9 km)
Rained shovels and wheelbarrows, but Kevin ambles into Ignace by 10:30
and scares up some internet time in the quaint library and municipal
centre. As he tours through town he homes in on an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. Ted Schredd says not to miss any of those, so lookout!
After causing his first motor vehicle accident (everyone is okay and no damage was caused), he sets up at a campsite and celebrates his
schedule precision with a peanut butter and jam sandwich with white wine, as an exciting thunderstorm touches down. |
June 29 (Tuesday) - Day 105 -
Jackfish Lake Rest Stop, ON to Raleigh Falls, ON (46.6 km - 5:31 hr - total
3,093.9 km)
A nice cool night with a full moon gave way to a nice cool morning (8 degrees) as the
Coyote sets up the RoadRunner for travel. It's a day of "on the road/off the road
again" as traffic nudges him aside, so it's slow progress, but he gets to Raleigh
Falls just after 1:00pm where he finds a basic campground with a shower. Next to him are
some successful fisherpeople from Thunder Bay who share their daily catch of lake trout.
Happiness is huge calories... |
June 28 (Monday) - Day 104 -
Wabigoon, ON to Jackfish Lake Rest Stop, ON (18.8 km - 2:05 hr - total 3,047.3 km)
The Swans escort Kevin to the highway, taking turns pushing the RoadRunner up and down the
rolly road. They're so good at it, the
Coyote invites them to accompany him the rest of the way, but they decline saying he
should enjoy it on his own... So he does... It's a superb travel day except that the paved
shoulder has gone missing, presumed dead, at Dinorwic. His destination was Borups Corner
but a storm chases him into the rest stop where he pitches his tent nest to a "No
Camping" sign. Bad Coyote... |
June 27 (Sunday) - Day 103 -
Wabigoon, ON (Rest Day)
Kevin's host, Roland Swan drags him back into Dryden to volunteer them to move chairs from
the rink to the school. Roland introduces the Coyote to some friends and family, then
gives him an educational tour of the city. Back in Wabigoon, there's more people to be met
and more relaxation to be done. The Coyote fantasizes about a few weeks extra with them,
but knows he'd best be on his way... |
June 26 (Saturday) - Day 102 -
Dryden, ON to Wabigoon, ON (23.2 km - 2:42 hr - total 3,028.5 km)
Last nights storm made national news flooding out sections of highway and causing much
damage in Dryden. The Coyote was okay, just a little tired as he went to breakfast with
the same yahoo's from last night's visit: Brian & Nancy Kenny and Jackie & Alvin
Saville. He got underway late, in the hot mid-day sun, but it was s hort day to Wabigoon
where he was greeted by Roland & Edda Swan. They had come upon Kevin in Kenora and had
invited him to stay with them. They set up the Coyote like a VIP in the fabulous
"Swan Resort" on Wabigoon Lake and convinced him to spend another day with them.
It didn't take much doing... |
June 25 (Friday) - Day 101 -
Vermilion Bay, ON to Dryden, ON (49.6 km - 5:35 hr - total 3,005.3 km)
This glorious travel day started off nice'n'cool, never really getting too hot. The paved
shoulder to Dryden was more than ample, so the Coyote made hay while the sun shone. Joanne
McMillin from Kenora had forwarded some Stealth bars that Kevin picked up at City Hall,
visited with the local newspaper and ended up at the Northwestern Tent & Trailer Park
right in the city. Walter & Eliana Wittner have done an incredible job on the place
and treated Kevin like royalty. He was picked up by Brian Kenny who had stopped Kevin on
the road a couple of days ago to offer dinner in Dryden, and they went to the home of
Jackie & Alvin Saville where Brian's wife, nancy was also in attendance. After a
fantastic night of debating politics, the Kenny's dropped Kevin back to his campsite where
he experienced the most intense thunderstorm of his life...not much sleep occurred. |
June 24 (Thursday) - Day 100!!
- Crystal Lake Campground, ON to Vermilion Bay, ON (13.3 km - 2:19 hr - total
2,955.7 km)
It's an easy walk to Vermilion Bay where Kevin gets lucky with Cathy White! She works at
the town hall and allows him 4 hours of internet time. The day goes by like a whoosh and
the Coyote has only made a small dent in his administrative responsibilities. What a
slacker. He scoots over to Kinsmen Park on Eagle Lake to find a sheltered area out of the
vigorous winds. |
June 23 (Wednesday) - Day 99 -
Narrow Lake, ON to Crystal Lake Campground, ON (48.6 km - 6:08 hr - total
2,942.4 km)
A very miserable Coyote rises at 4:30 to pack up in the muggy rain and is surprised to
find quite a lot of traffic on the highway at 6:00 in the morning. Dirt shoulder, muggy
drizzle and a bug jamboree escort Kevin to Stewart Lake. Along the way, the paved shoulder
appears briefly, cool air hits him and the bugs vacate. An Avalon moment. The folks at
Stewart Lake offer Kevin a spot on their lawn for $5. He sets up where they said, and then
they ask him to please move elsewhere. He decides to continue to Vermilion Bay since he
has to pack up again anyway. It's now a hot and sunny afternoon, but the Coyote has lots
of water. He hits Crystal Lake Campground where Robin & Liz Gagne are happy to have
him. It's shower time now in the cleanest outdoor washrooms the Coyote has ever seen and
he finds Avalon again. |
June 22 (Tuesday) - Day 98 -
Kenora, ON to Narrow Lake, ON (40.6 km - 5:11 hr - total 2,893.8 km)
Sleeping through his alarm, Kevin gets off to a late start at 8:00am. This turns out to be
a costly error, since it quickly gets so hot and muggy that shuffling a deck of cards
would be considered excessive activity. The road is a series of lakes after lakes, but the
Coyote is too dim to swim. He meets Stan Wawzonek who is cycling from St. John's to
Victoria in support of the Thank-A-Vet program. He and his support crew inform Kevin that
his destination (a rest stop) is about 5-10k further. 20k later, the Coyote pulls over in
a construction zone, fully spent from heat. He sets up the DrYad tent in huge winds and
cools off by Narrow Lake. The evening produces a muggy thunderstorm that provides Kevin
with a 30 degree tent temperature through the night. For the rest of his challenges on
this night, you'll have to wait for his book. |
June 21 (Monday) - Day 97 -
Kenora, ON (Rest Day)
The Coyote met his contact at City Hall, Joanne McMillin, who has been an enthusiastic
supporter of the trip since first contact. She
presented Kevin to Mayor Kelvin Winkler who issued his official greetings from Kenora and
among other things provided the Coyote with a dinner cruise on the MS Kenora. SO Kevin
decided to stay for one more day. The library was kind enough to allow some access time
and Boots the Cat provided outrageous hospitality at the local Travelodge (as did Rita
& Teresa Gallik). The cruise had an incredible chef and Alan did a fantastic tour
guide's explanation of local lore. The Coyote is not accustomed to such tour guide
competence - See Winnipeg. So he may have taken an extra day, but he's had a spectacular
visit in Kenora. |
June 20 (Sunday) - Day 96 -
Kenora, ON (Rest Day)
After a refreshing early morning plunge into the Lake of the Woods, the Coyote enjoys his
first ever leg massage by the magical hands of "Bud" from the Winnipeg YMCA.
There's a bit of time for some adventure on the high ropes course where Kevin wimpishly
attempts the swinging rope tightrope. It's a beautiful cruise back to town on the MS
Kenora, then farewells on the dock as the Coyote heads to the fantastic Anacinabe Park to
camp next to the lake courtesy of Joanne McMillin and the City of Kenora. |
June 19 (Saturday) - Day 95 -
Clearwater Bay, MB to Kenora, ONTARIO!! (24.5 km - 2:52 hr - total 2,844.0 km)
The entire Jarema Family escorts Kevin through the "rolly bits" with Joe, Gail,
Karen & Susan taking turns moving it along. The scenery is splendid as Kevin enters
Kenora, where he finds himself completely unable to avoid the influence of the Mager
Family yet again. He arranges details for the evening boat ride to where Jackie Friesen is
staying, then heads into beautiful Kenora to explore. He meets Darryl Ingram from Nova
Scotia doing a cycling and train tour of Canada. And then Don Little who reminds him how
simple life really is. Chris Mager's sister Jackie and her husband Gord were on a YMCA
leaders retreat at Camp Stephens for the weekend. They arrangged for Kevin to be boated
over, fed and special guested for the evening if he would give a wee inspirational chat
after dinner.The evening transpired into a blazing bonfire along the shores of the lake
with songs, stories and a time to make new friends. |
June 18 (Friday) - Day 94 -
West Hawk Lake Park, MB to Clearwater Bay, MB (39.9 km - 4:34 hr - total 2,819.5 km)
Another province falls behind the RoadRunner and Coyote. They enter Ontario at 9am and are
greeted by the Jarema's. Joe & Gail are friends of the Mager Family in Winnipeg and
they have an incredible "cottage" in Clearwater Bay. They give Kevin directions
saying it's "a bit rolly". After pushing the RoadRunner up the steepest hills of
the trip (rolly, indeed...), Kevin finds himself directly in Avalon itself. Joe & Gail
suggest a boat tour of Lake of the Woods where they put the Coyote's limited navigational
skills to the test. It's beautiful country to be lost in, so they enjoy the experience.
There's a casual get-to-know-the-neighbours hour, then it's an evening of ribs and
stories. The Coyote retires to the Guest House just over the Boat House over the lake.
Sounds like a rough night on the road of adventure... |
June 17 (Thursday) - Day 93 -
Paradise, MB to West Hawk Lake Park, MB (14.7 km - 2:39 hr - total 2,779.6 km)
The Coyote opted for an early wake-up call to watch the sun rise over Falcom Lake, then
went back to bed... Later was a casual stroll along a bike trail and old road to West Hawk
Lake Park. Along the way, he met a wild coincidence (Dug Joy from Q94 in Winnipeg - see
journal entry from Kenora - June 21st) and a young lady whose brother is playing in the
Stanley Cup playoffs. Tara suggested the Coyote go to wings night at a local bar where
Game 5 is televised. So he did. For an hour. He's not much of a spectator sport fan... |
June 16 (Wednesday) - Day 92 -
Roadside (somewhere just outside Winnipeg, MB) to Paradise, MB (15.4 km - 1:40
hr - total 2,764.9 km)
As he's packing up, a deer crosses the highway and comes upon Kevin unexpectedly, before
dashing into the bush. Both Coyote and Deer were unharmed in the close encounter. It's a
short travel day to the provincial campground where the Kevin gets scrubbed and relaxes
whole-heartedly in Paradise. He even scared up a game of mini-golf so you tell he's
relaxed... |
June 15 (Tuesday) - Day 91 -
Rest Stop to Roadside (somewhere just outside Winnipeg, MB) (45.7 km - 5:03 hr -
total 2,749.5 km)
Thinking he had an easy day of travel, the Coyote mosied into a late start. It was a cool
day, so it wasn't so bad to travel at the top of the sun. During lunch at Prawda, Marcus
from Quebec cycled over to say hi. He's on Day 17 of his trip from Hull to Whitehorse.
Finally, Kevin got to East Braintree where the sign said "9 more K to Motel"
which is where he was going to stop. So off he goes only to be refused permission to pitch
his tent on the lawn. They give him some water and cheerfully say, "Falcon lake is
only 8 more miles further" (Kevin had just gone 44k so far). So he pulls off the
highway, pitches by a mowed area next to a sign and falls down happily. |
June 14 (Monday) - Day 90 -
Oakwood, MB to Rest Stop (35.4 km - 3:59 hr - total 2,703.8 km)
Brrr...Down to 4 degrees last night and it was still chilly in the morning. But not cool
enough since the bugs have risen from their
slumber. The wide open prairie spaces are gone. The rolling terrain is here. And the long
stretches of nothing but trees are here. He found a nice rest stop where the Coyote
battled the insects to finally win a small space for his tent. He cooked dinner in a mesh
tent strung up underneath the RoadRunner. He's been reading "Terry Fox: His
Story" and just finished it today. As a result, the Coyote is vigourously humbled.
What a trip that young man went through... |
June 13 (Sunday) - Day 89 -
Winnipeg, MB to Oakwood, MB (54.1 km - 5:58 hr - total 2,668.4 km)
Fuelled by Lea Mager's zucchini loaf and their children Alex and Jeremy's power hugs, the
Coyote blasts off a huge distance day in
perfect cool and bug-free conditions on a huge paved shoulder. He passes the longitudinal
centre of Canada enroute to his final resting spot in a patch of grass outside a Manny's
Restaurant alongside the highway. The paved shoulder gave way at 40k near Ste. Anne and
now it is a relic of history, ne'er to be seen again... |
June 12 (Saturday) - Day 88 -
Winnipeg, MB (16.6 km - 3:11 hr - total 2,614.3 km)
The Coyote visited the Running Room to do a wee talk to the highly tuned Manitoba Marathon
running clinic, then did a TV interview on MTN that Jackie Friesen had set up as she
accompanied him to her brothers place in Pulberry. Paul and Lea Mager took the Coyote
baton, then a city tour was conducted by the incomparable SuperGuides Gord and Paul. Tim
at Woodcock's Bike Shop dontaed some slime for Kevin's tubes to prevent flats. A BBQ
wrapped up the day and the Coyote tried to do some email ketchup deep into the night. |
June 11 (Friday) - Day 87 -
Winnipeg (West), MB to Osborne Village, Winnepeg, MB (21.3 km - 4:14 hr - total
2,597.7 km)
A casual tour through Winnipeg on a perfect day. Big cities are different from small
towns. People on the street seem pre-occupied
which reflects the lack of media interest in the Coyote's arrival. Bruce Owen at the
Winnipeg Free Press said, "We're not interested. If we do something on Running Into
2000, we'll have to do a piece on everybody else crossing Canada". So Kevin explores
the city and sends his weekly update. Jackie and Gord Friesen (part of Chris Mager's
family) met Kevin in Osborne Village, took him to dinner and escorted him to their nearby
home for the evening. Princess Rhianna rode in the Coyote's lunch chair... |
June 10 (Thursday) - Day 86 -
Elie, MB to Winnipeg, MB (36.4 km - 3:41 hr - total 2,576.4 km)
Where have all the skeeto's gone? One day of prairie wind and they run like sissies. But
that's okay with the Coyote as he cruises into
Winnipeg jubilantly. Being a day ahead of schedule he sticks to the west side of town
relaxing in the Kirkfield Motor Hotel after getting to know Eve & Maureen at the front
desk. Very hospitable folks, these Manitobans... |
June 9 (Wednesday) - Day 85 -
Portage La Prairie, MB to Elie, MB (43.6 km - 5:23 hr - total 2,540 km)
The huge storm last night that Kevin slept through left it's momentous scattered on the
ground. Good thing the Village Inn was solid. If it wasn't for bugs and a dirt shoulder,
today's conditions were classic big distance atmosphere. But after 10k, Coyote Kevin had
endured enough. He changed into bug gear and walked the service road for 10k. Unable to
resist a good run, he changed back for the last 23k for a brisk trot down the road, taking
control of the slow lane and dashing to the shoulder when his mirrors suggested. He
arrived in Elie in time for St. Paul's Collegiate High School to provide some internet
access and even a shower! The town office let him pitch his tent in what was this morning
a lake. By later afternoon, it was just your basic mosquito nirvana. Rather than battle
with them, the Coyote headed for a restaurant. |
June 8 (Tuesday) - Day 84 -
MacGregor, MB to Portage La Prairie (34.1 km - 3:49 hr - total 2,496.1 km)
The Coyote's schedule is casual these days since he's only taking rest days every 7-10
days so he's finishing his daily distance pretty
early. Today he started at 6:00am and was in Portage La Prairie before 10:00am to be
welcomed by Dave Zaroski and the friendly staff at the very unique Westward Village Inn.
Being so early, it's like a rest day and Kevin handles laundry, gear sorting, supplies
shopping, a newspaper interview and lots of relaxing... Life is good... |
June 7 (Monday) - Day 83 -
Sidney, MB to MacGregor, MB (24.5 km - 2:29 hr - total 2,462.3 km)
The weather channel reports that Manitoba is experiencing a large mosquito population
increase (5000% above normal - yikes!) Coyote Kevin is lucky enough to be there to
experience the phenomenom first hand. He leaves early in the morning and attracts many
skeeto's with him, but he's only on the highway for 2.5 hours and he lands in MacGregor
where he wishes to escape the sun's rays and the bugs for a few hours. The town foreman,
Brian Telford, greets him, gives him a town pin, sets him up with MacGregor Collegiate
School's internet access, offers a place to camp in Centennial Park, a shower at the
firehall and a BBQ dinner with him and his family. The Coyote decides to stay for a
wonderful day and evening. |
June 6 (Sunday) - Day 82 -
Camp Hughes Wayside Park to Sidney, MB (38.1 km - 4:23 hr - total 2,437.8 km)
A blissful day of 16k paved shoulders, good music, cool temp and light winds. A great day
to be alive... THen the pavement ended and the rolling terrain began... Oh well...
Arriving at the Shady Oaks Campground east of Sidney, Kevin enjoyed a shower scrub and as
a result was invited to "leftover Sunday Supper" at Campground Grannie's
trailer. Lillian, Joe, Sharon, Lloyd & Audrey made sure the Coyote was as full as a
Manitoba bird in June, then helped him laugh off some calories... |
June 5 (Saturday) - Day 81 -
Brandon, MB to Camp Hughes Wayside Park (35.8 km - 4:15 hr - total 2,399.7
km)
It's back to summertime in Manitoba where the birds fly with their mouths open and stuff
themselves so full they cannot fly. It's bug
season. And hot sun season. Which means the Coyote is enjoying drinking hot water to
quench his parch. What a good sport he is. Kevin met two more travelling cyclists today.
They had all camped at the same farm near Walsh, Alberta that had the psychotic dog. The
cyclists had no RoadRunner in which to stash their stuff so they showed Kevin the chew
marks on their gear bags where "pyscho dog" had attacked. Upon arriving at the
wayside park, a naked man got out of his truck and waved to the Coyote... So this is
Manitoba... |
June 4 (Friday) - Day 80 -
Brandon, MB (Rest Day)
3 school visits (Neelin High, Linden Lanes Elementary, Kirkcaldy Elementary),
McDonald's lunch, Air Museum tour, Brandon Sun interview, city sights and gear details. |
June 3 (Thursday) - Day 79 -
Alexander, MB to Brandon, MB (28.6 km - 3:24 hr - total 2,363.9 km)
A beautiful travel day of overcast and cool with light rain. Only challenges were
the headwinds and gravel beach shoulder. 5k west of
Brandon, the Coyote was welcomed and greeted to Brandon by Mayor Reg Atkinson and Maureen
Bonar from Parks & Rec. Mayor Reg gave Kevin two city pins and a "key to the
city" key chain. 1k later, marathon relay runner from King George Elementary School
accompanied Coyote Kevin into Brandon ending up at their school where they allowed him to
give a wee presentation to their fellow students. Maureen toured Kevin around City Hall
then deposited him into the home of the wonderful Archambault Family. They provided
warmth, shelter, food, bed, stimulating conversation and internet access as the thunder
and lightning danced through the night. |
June 2 (Wednesday) - Day 78 -
Oak Lake Campground, MB to Alexander, MB (38.1 km - 4:59 hr - total 2,335.3 km)
Trying to look on the bright side of things, Coyote Kevin was thankful that it
wasn't blistering hot as he pushed the RoadRunner through the gravel. Unfortunately, it
was cold and still included headwinds in the full Manitoba Beach Package. He met a young
couple from Japan doing a 7 month tandem bicycle tour to Toronto and back through the
States. They tried to push the RoadRUnner on the Beach and laughed at the poor Coyote.
Arriving in Alexander, he was put up by the Lloyd Davies family in their backyard. They
fed and entertained him all evening under the fabulously colourful Manitoba sunset. |
June 1 (Tuesday) - Day 77 -
Elkhorn, MB to Virden, MB (46.2 km - 5:32 hr - total 2,297.2 km)
Ted Schredd once said, "Eat all the pancakes you can find", so Coyote
Kevin filled his gullet to the gills and headed out into the cold. At first it was just
light tain and light headwinds, but soon it got more interesting. The pleasantness had
disappeared but the Coyote scared up 30k in 3:20 to arrive in Virden for some computer
access time. Both local newspapers dropped in for interviews then Kevin reluctantly traded
the cozy warmth of library for the harsh outdoor world. To his surprise, the divided
highway giveth 2 extra lanes, but taketh away the pavement outside those lanes. In other
words, it was time to push the RoadRunner on the Manitoba Beach. Very much later, he
arrived at D&G Oak Lake Campground and collapsed muttering something about gravel
shoulders being cruel and unusual punishment... |
| Other Log Books : March, April, May, June |
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