Two Day Biking From Buck Lake to Perth Ontario 2001

Knowing how accident prone the two of us are together, I was a little hesitant in going on a biking trip with Linda. She was still recovering from knee surgery. To try and even things out, I tossed myself down her steps but only succeeded in bending some rosebushes. Fearing that I might catch up with her injuries, Linda took me skating on the Rideau Canal and mashed her forehead on the ice in an interesting move that I had never before or since seen. I gave her a 10/10. In a last ditch attempt, I threw myself off my bicycle at a speed of around 20 mph, but again, my injuries were so minor that within a month I was able to move my arms with little pain and almost walk without a limp. Realizing the ball was back in Linda's court, I agreed to the following three day trip.

Linda met me at my house at the Buck Lake boat ramp on Perth Road north of Kingston, Ontario. We had made no plans for accommodations as Linda relied on my good judgment when I said that "we'll be fine - we'll just play it by ear." At noon we biked the 15 k to Westport. After a brief argument as to which was the main street, we stopped in at the Westport Art Gallery to check on some of the photographs I had on display. One of them had recently sold, for which I received an unexpected cheque from the owner. I hadn't realized it was possible to dance a jig while riding a bicycle. As Linda said, "it must be nice to bike from town to town picking up money along the way."

We left there and managed to bike up the Wolfe Lake hill. It was a struggle but we made it with hardly any zigs or zags. Our first real break was at the Tay River bridge. Actually, it was one of the first breaks Linda ever allowed me. As members of the Kingston Velo Club, we had to adhere to their Union rules and Charter of Rights, where breaks are frowned upon. I wanted to watch the school of carp but Linda had already chugged her water and was remounting her steed.


LINDA LOSES HER TEETH AT THE TAY RIVER BRIDGE	BICYCLES BUILT FOR TWO	LINDA PULLS OUT HER HAIR WHILE I TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE MAP

TAY RIVER CARP FINDS LINDA'S TEETH

Around 5:00 pm we rolled into Perth. Our plan was to stay at Drummond House. "Perhaps we should have booked ahead" said Linda glaring at me and the "No Vacancy" sign hanging from their step. It was the only Bed and Breakfast we knew of. I asked at a corner store and got directions to another one. I led the way until we were thoroughly lost and Linda made me admit I had no idea where I was going. She asked directions again and I followed her around the corner to Rabb House on 70 Wilson Street W. The owner allowed us to stash our bikes in their back room and we were given our choice of the two available well-decorated rooms. I watched Linda carefully for signs of cardiac arrest as we were told the overnight price of \$60.00.

After showers we took a relaxing stroll to Fiddleheads Restaurant, then explored the park and neighbouring area. I reaaallly wanted to see the local fiddling contest but Linda balked at the \$10 admission fee. Instead we picked up a 2 litre carton of Rolo ice cream and carted it back to the inn. The common room was free so we picked out a movie from their selection and watched it on the large screen tv while eating our treat. It was a rare event that we were only able to eat 3/4 of the tub.


GET AWAY FROM ME YOU FREAK!	FIDDLEHEADS	LINDA'S DOGGIE BAG ON THE WINDOWSILL

LINDA WAS ABLE TO COLLECT 1.56 POSING AS A TOLL BOOTH GUARD	LINDA LOST IN HER THOUGHT	OH LOOK! SOMEONE CARVED A FACE ON THAT PUMPKIN

LINDA DISPLAYS HER EXPENSIVE PURSE FROM THE LOBLAWS COLLECTION	DAVE SHOWS OFF HIS STYLISH ELEPHANT SKIN PANTS	THE PHOTOGRAPHER HAS CAPTURED DAVE'S SOUL

The following morning we had our included breakfast. I had french toast and Linda had fruit with an interesting purple sauce. While the owner tried to paint his house, I annoyed him by borrowing tools to fix a few odds and ends on my bicycle.

At 10:30 am we installed our panniers and set out again. Along the route Linda pointed out a dress shoe in the ditch mentioning that it probably belonged to the groom at the wedding we had just passed. He was probably at the altar as she spoke, wondering what happened to his shoe.

At Lanark we headed west to MacDonald's Corners where we entered the scary schoolhouse maze made of thyme. At the thyme, it was only 6" high but apparently it grows to around 6' at it's peak. At the corner store we sat on their western style porch eating our power bars. I semi-disguised my voice as an old man and told Linda all about the drought of '41 when you could buy a nickel for a hot dog.


LINDA BATTLES THE MINOTAUR OF MACDONALD'S CORNERS...OR IS IT JUST A BAD HAIR DAY	DAVE STEPS IN AFTER THE TAMING	"LINDA LOST IN THYME"

At the Snow Station store I had my puzzled map face on, as I looked over our route. I can never make head or tail of maps. A local native offered his help. Surprisingly, he knew less than me and suggested a route that made no sense at all. This seemed to amuse Linda but she hid it well and humoured him. I gave up knowing where we were and continued to follow my leader. Actually, in my defense, I think what Linda had given me was a map of Arkansas.

We wound our way up and down the torturous Snow Road hills and arrived in Sharbot Lake at 5:00 pm. Apparently the bed and breakfasts in the town had closed up. There was one out of town and down a dirt road but no one seemed to know if it was open. We elected to stay in the Sharbot Lake Inn. We were given cabin #9 overlooking the lake for \$84.00. Linda went white but I managed to pry some bills from her clenched hand. We ate at the inn. Linda was unable to finish her potato. I helped her out. Later she tried to sell it to me.


LINDA AND ALL HER WORLDLY POSSESSIONS	WHAT'S THAT ON THE RAILING?	VIEW FROM CABIN #9

LINDA WAS CONSTANTLY INVADING MY SPACE	SEARCHING FOR PENNIES	THE SHARBOT LAKE TROLL

We went for a stroll through what was billed as the "Business District". The only business I could see was a closed yard sale. Back at the room we watched "Comics" on the satellite tv. The comedian did a routine about men not being able to grasp directions and standing around like village idiots. Linda had tears running down her cheeks. I don't know why she found that so amusing?

We filled up our water bottles at 10:30 am. and set off without breakfast as neither of us were hungry. We battled a strong headwind all day. The winding route along the west end of Wolfe Lake was spectacular as usual.


WOLFE LAKE WEST	LINDA AND ALL HER FRIENDS	HMM...PERHAPS I'LL PREPARE SOME SOYA BEANS FOR SUPPER

WINDY, WINDING, WOLFE LAKE	SOME CALLED HER "BLAZE" BUT I CALLED HER "BLUFF"	LINDA GOES INTO AERODYNAMIC MODE

At Westport we filled our bottles at the spring in the park. Linda had a brief snooze on the bench. Our next stop was the chip truck at Devil Lake where we split some french fries. I had three more than Linda so apparently I still owe her .10 cents. At exactly 4:00 we arrived back at our looped destination. The weather had been great all weekend. Today it had threatened to rain most of the way but we managed to stay ahead of the thunderclouds and did not get wet. I give Linda full marks plus, for her excellent route choice and even higher marks as a traveling companion.


THE WESTPORT SPRING	LINDA FILLS THE WATER BOTTLE IN HER OWN SPECIAL WAY	BRIDGE BY THE SPRING


LINDA AT PERTH PARK	COMMONERS IN THE RABB HOUSE COMMON ROOM


PUMPING THE MILES AWAY	THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE CYCLER


STARTING OUT ON PERTH ROAD	"THE RED STREAK"


MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE	BURNING OUR BRITCHES


SNOW ROAD SILO	PERFECT PICTURE BY LINDA