A Sweet Reunion by Lake Superior — Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario, Canada

I am so super excited!!!

Leslie and Steve, my dear friends with whom I spent the winter at the YMCA, have been traveling through the US and Canada since May. We have kept in touch since I left, with phone calls and texts.

Two days ago, Leslie texted me, “Where are you now?”

I texted back, “Thunder Bay.”

Leslie’s response was, “Oh, we will be there tomorrow.”

My first thought was, “Oh, there must be another Thunder Bay somewhere in the US.”

No, they are actually returning to travel in Canada, circling Lake Superior.

After texting back and forth, we jump on a call to come up with a plan to reunite.

Since I am traveling more slowly than they are as they need to be back to Cleveland in a few days, I will continue my travel while they catch up to me.

In the meantime, I make a few stops along the way. Even rest areas are beautiful places to stop and enjoy Lake Superior, which stretches forever into the horizon.

My next stop is Schreiber Beach, a small pebble beach on Lake Superior. There is one other person there, a young lady walking toward me with a butterfly in her hand. Rebecca explains that she just saved this butterfly from drowning. It is still alive and needs a good drying. She lets it rest on a piece of driftwood to regain its strength. We both have a good feeling this butterfly will make it.

Rebecca’s simple act of kindness creates another positive ripple.

And that is what I have been observing throughout my journey: endless kind acts by so many people, making our universe a more positive place for all of us.

My next stop is Aguasabon Falls, a short walk on a boardwalk to a waterfall sliding down the rocks into a beautiful gorge on its way to Lake Superior.

I text Leslie and Steve to make sure they stop here.

Leslie responds, “We are 7 miles away.”

It is so wonderful to hug them again. This is such a special surprise on my trip.

We continue traveling east together to the town of Marathon and hike along the shores of Lake Superior.

I am grateful that I can take a shower in Leslie and Steve’s hotel room. Thank you, guys!

I take a parking spot in the hotel’s parking lot and have a nice, quiet sleep. My hip is no longer creating a challenge, which is such a relief. I work hard to take it easy, though not always with success. No matter how little I try to do, I end up averaging 7 miles a day.

I share my next destination with Leslie and Steve, and I am thrilled they are joining me for a hike there.

We are heading to Pukaskwa National Park to hike the Combination Trail, a moderate 4-mile loop. Right away, we recognize that we are not alone; the billion mosquitoes are a constant part of this landscape. It is hard to stand still and take in the stunning view with a deep breath. The mosquitoes are ruthless, which makes for a torturous experience. This is the first time I have ever used the net head cover I bought 10 years ago.

I love sharing this beauty with Leslie and Steve. I love creating more memories with them both. Our plan is to see each other again when I visit them in Cleveland on my way to the YMCA in November.

Around noon, they continue traveling east, and I am just not ready to leave yet. I do not know my plan. Should I stay for the night or move on?

For now, I will take another hike.

Southern Headland Trail.

Wow!

I am absolutely blown away by the beauty. To my relief, the hike is not in the woods. I am hiking on top of the rocks, and with the light breeze, the number of mosquitoes is manageable. I sit down to take it all in.

The landscape in front of me feels like a story from a fairyland. A story of a lonely, but not alone, sailor who discovers a magical place to explore.

It feels like a painting. It is an incredible art form; another picture-perfect creation of God.

The land rises into soft, mountainous layers of trees. They are not high mountains, but there is enough dimension in the forest to make the whole scene feel alive. Different shades of green blend together, from deep hunter green to lighter mossy green, with dark slate-gray rock tucked beneath them. And then, resting below it all, is the stunning blue-green water that Canada is known for.

I do want to stay, but I know that the short break from the mosquitoes is temporary.

By 4:30, I decide to keep going.

I set my Google Maps to Magpie Falls.

My drive is through beautiful lakes all along the side of the road, from big ones to small ones, some with islands. It is wild and beautiful! I have the privilege of seeing a black bear crossing the road in front of me. He stopped to look at me and disappeared into the woods. Later, I spot a moose on the edge of a lake eating dinner. Those little moments that are priceless; especially when I feel safe in my car. :)

By the time I get to the falls, it is time to find my spot for the night. There is no sign saying “no overnight parking.” Sleeping with the sound of the falls is exciting for me. Wow, that is quite a massive waterfall.

I am hoping other vans will join me, but the place is all mine. I do feel safe here, so I text my “power girls” text group my location.

I wake up to silence.

Hold on, what happened to the sound of the waterfall?

A quick search, and I learn that Magpie Falls is not completely wild in the way I first imagined. Its flow is controlled by hydroelectric development on the Magpie River, so the amount of water can change from day to day.

Still, even knowing that, its beauty does not disappear. I am glad I had the opportunity to see it in full power last night.

On a very good note, after yesterday’s hikes, I know that if I wake up without pain, I can increase my activity.

Hallelujah!

So for now, Saturday, June 27, I sit in the small, quaint library in Wawa to recall my last adventures before I continue farther east.