Quote of the day: “We are fully booked.” -Hotel Clerk
We had plans for the day, but they changed. What actually happened is probably more interesting anyways…
We departed from our writing table (where we left you yesterday) to find Linda and John’s modest home on Gimli Road. We heard our names before we found them.
Upon parking our bikes we implemented our “pull out tent, douse each other in bug spray, then set up tent as quickly as possible” regiment. (Which we are becoming quite good at!)
A decent bedtime allowed for an earlier start. We devoured scrambled eggs and toast—thanks to our lovely hosts—then visited the artesian well for one final souvenir from the area.
One rest-stop (in which Gerald learned the hard way that one should always try both washroom doors!) and about 43 kms later, we were in Selkirk. Arriving just in time for lunch, we became patrons at Roxi’s Uptown Cafe. There we discovered that chocolate peanut butter milkshakes are a cyclists dream and make us both very happy! It’s a good thing too—because we were still in a decent mood when we were informed that the hotel in which we had planned to spend the night (thus checking off another “first” as far as the location of our night lodging) had no vacancy.
A few options presented themselves, but the one chosen was to take advantage of the weather and ride on. Plus Amelia’s newly purchased riding gloves were eager to escape their confines and be put to use.
While cycling, it is both intriguing and downright disgusting to discover how much litter and other items can be found along the side of the road. Today we saw: a padlock, a garden glove, a pair of high heels (not Amelia’s style), a pair of sunglasses and a motorcycle licence plate (which Gerald picked up because his wife will use it in her garden), amongst other things. Amelia has attributed these items as belonging to the “Highway Shoulder Thrift Store.” Imagining the stories behind these items provides stimulating conversation during breaks.
We cycled 124 kms today—a day that was supposed to include a pool, hot showers and a tv—making it our longest cycling day yet! We only have 110kms to go before we reach our projected total. Although. given the way things have gone so far, we are well aware that things could change!
As the moon blossomed from a ghostly stamp to a glooming sphere, we toured Lac du Bonnet, in search of a place to spend the night.
The search took longer than expected and at one point Gerald surprised Amelia by actually considering staying in a cheap hotel in the town. We settled for freshly mown grass behind a local business near the entrance to the town. Far from the hotel we were going to stay at in Selkirk, our current lodging is still a place where we can rest our bodies and Gerald can snore.
The planners and the plan changers,
Gerald and Amelia
Adventures on a bicycle 