US - Oops

I was driving around Lower Quebec looking for a place to have a bit of Cafe/Bistro lunch. The roads down here a narrow and there are few signs, and what there are are in French - Who would have thunk??
The stomach is grumbling and I make a turn and there in front of me is the Border. I didn't want to cross for a couple of more days, but here I am. Welcome to the US of A. I get a lonely Border Guard and we talked for about fifteen minutes before another car showed up. Wanted to know about the movies I had worked on, etc. Nothing about my travels really.
I was still looking for lunch and I'm in Upper New York. The only things to eat are the usual and pizza. I haven't had a pizza in months, but here was a pizza/ice cream place - what could be bad??! One Calzone later and I am on the road to Lake Champlain.

Land of Covered Bridges

Interesting house with lead roof

Then on to Burlington and a refresh at Trader Joe's. It was like Nirvanna. Took photos but with the iPhone so sorry you can't see me being sillier.

Going through western Quebec

Leaving Ottawa, I wanted to see a bit of lower/western Quebec and started for the Saint Lawrence River Valley. To say the least, there has been a lot of history here with the Voyageur years of the traders, then the French Indian Wars, Our Revolution then the War of 1812. This is such a vital transit way since those days. You would think there would be  one battlefield after another old village, but when the St. Lawrence was expanded the river rises and floods most of the places.

'Lighthouse' at Canadian Village

Okay It is stupid but funny - Koi Fish feeding

Ottawa Capital of Canada

When I told a friend I was in Ottawa, she said what on earth for?? And she's a Canadian. Well the simple answer was I have never been there.
I parked the old MoHo in the suburbs and took the bus system into and of course back again. I usually love rapid transit by buses - not so much. Ottawa is still trying to get their light rain/ subway into the works but too many toes to step on I guess. I was walking once in town center so as I often do I got a ticket for the Hop on Hop off sightseeing bus. I have found that these will take you to the most interesting places (no walking) and then you can get off - stroll around and get back on.
Highlights of this day was the changing of the Guard at the Parliament Building, lunch in Byward Market and Rideau Hall, the house of the Queen's governor. Canada is after all a Constitutional Monarchy.  Then back to D'Arcy McGee's Irish Pub for that best Steak and mushroom pasty I have ever had. Then the lightshow/propaganda display on the Parliament House at night. I was on the go from 8am to 11pm and of course the next day was a bit of a rest day.

Marching In - yes it's blurred

Watching them leave

Then off to Rideau Hall

Reception Room

This was the band area off the ballroom - when they had balls (dances you idiots!)

Since I had been going a while and getting hungry I got off at Byward Market, a very old part of town and very touristy, but..

The oldest bat with original patrons

The Shaw Center with its round mirrored surface

This is the Agricultural Museum. Modeled after the Crystal Palace from London

View of Parliament from across river at Museum of History

Wanted to get closer but the Parliament House will be under remodeling for the next 12+ years!!

Couldn't pass this up

From Parade - too funny for words

Sunset in windows

Light show

Catch-up Again

I find it hard to believe that's been ten days since last I posted. I don't know the day of the week until I take my medications in the morning from the dispenser, so I guess it figures.
When last I did get around to posting I was in Ontario and had just left my Arcanum teacher/mentor for a night shoot of the shooting stars. (See previous post,Ha!)
From there I made it to Algonquin Provincial Park and though it was overcast I was able to get about three hours of a walk around the Beaver Pond and the nature walk on the Bog. I think I got a couple of good shots - enough to think I will do some prints when I get back to SoCal. Have a look:

Beaver Dam pond

Possibly my favorite

Also interesting

Puddle with a drop of rain

Loved these exposed roots and the moss. Wish you could feel the texture.

Only animal seen in the Park

Just fun

For a rainy overcast day, this may have been one of the best for photos on the trip.
On to Ottawa.

Dwight Ontario Canada

I hoped to get out of my campsite early this morning and explore Algonquin Provincial Park, but it is pouring rain right now and they need it here as much as we need it in SoCal. Not wanting to get soaked and then drive in mud and rain right now, I'll catch you up a bit.
I met up with my Arcanum teacher-mentor-sensei +Don Komarechka for a night shoot of the Shooting stars on Thursday night at Torrence-Barren Dark Sky Preserve here in Ontario. It was overcast to begin with, but after a dinner in nearby Gravenhurst we hung out in the MoHo waiting for the weather to break - which it did for about an hour.

Got out the old IR camera during a scouting walk around before dinner

Still like the artsy stuff

 Then we got a chance for a couple of star shots, though I must admit I didn't see any shooting stars, but my camera did - so does that count??

Not really a very dark - Dark Sky preserve!! Clouds coming back

Off to the park and then Ottawa when the rain stops.

Oh Canada!!

I crossed into Canada on the 5th of August at Sault Ste Marie. What a pretty city, especially compared to its American cohort. Found a GREAT grocery store here - Pino's - and Italian flavored store with fabulous fruits and vegetables. It is always difficult to get them here in the North, though the Summer is a boon time for this here.
There are lots of Campgrounds here, though mostly they are filled with summer long visitors and few transient campers like myself, but I do find them with 'Allstays' app.

Riverside Campsite east of Sault Ste Marie

View from Fort St Joseph This was the site of the British forces that captured Mackinac Island fort as the 1812 war began

Chutes Falls along Highway 17

One thing that Canada has is trees and lots of them. Last night I stayed in Grundy Lakes Provincial Park, just North of Toronto and I just made it for a beautiful sunset.

Loved the campfire smoke that floated over the lake.
I am supposed to meet up with friends to shoot a meteor shower at Torrence Barrens Dark Sky Preserve. Should be fun. Until then I'll just be resting and catching up on emails and enjoying the lakes.

Mackinac Island

Yesterday was tourist John going to Mackinac Island and seeing why this place has such a great reputation. This island has been a gathering place for people since 1000 BC and became a vital security point that created a fort built by a Fur company then enlarged by the British and became a part of the US. First a fur gathering center and then a fishing center and now a tourist center that maximises the 5 to 6 months they are open. There are about 500 people who live here year round and where there were 84 kids in the k-12 school with four who graduated. Summer hits and about 2000+ workers come to service the multi-thousand tourists. Most are college kids and many love working here.
The biggest difference you notice the moment you arrive is there are NO cars. You either walk, ride a bike or ride one of the horse drawn carriages. So quiet and relaxing.
The Grand Hotel is the biggest draw, besides the fort, and has been a famous destination since the 1800s.

First view from the water - big!!

Road up to Hotel

How many people actually see this warning before they talk a horse drawn carriage

This could be your view all day long if you were the driver. They have to take care of their horses as well.

The other way to see the sights - bikes

main street

Those trailer have no tractors - Cold storage only The horses carry the loads

More tourists arrive every half hour

Through the forest sections a larger three horse carriage is used

View of the fort from the harbor

I have seen too many old forts on this trip, but I looked thru the gate

Grand Hotel has a very well taken care of carriage.

Harbor view

View from the Fort

Downtown carriage

Company parking lot

Great way to spend a summer morning 

Stone Church

These guys are working with the carting services and have lived their whole lives on the island.

If you are ever close to this section of the Great Lakes you must get here, book a room in the Grand Hotel and find a porch to sit rock and relax. Great way to spend a summer in the states.