Rushing Water and Quiet Courage — Manitoba to Ontario, Canada

I continue heading east, still learning to let the road guide me, even when things do not go exactly as I imagine.

My next stop is Whiteshell Provincial Park. I figure I will stop at the visitor center and learn about the park. Well, that does not work out so well since the visitor center only opens on weekends. So I guess I will explore the park as I go.

From the little I researched, I know I am going to travel through different lakes. I have some reception, and I will let Google Maps guide me to a few waterfalls.

It is not your usual cascading waterfall from high above, as I am still on flat land, but it is still very beautiful. There is something soft and quiet about this kind of beauty. Some falls spread wide along the river, with rocky islands dividing them. Some are more like rapids or small, gentle falls. Just driving along the winding roads is beautiful. I stop many times to explore, but I am often chased by mosquitoes.

By early evening, I find a small campground to settle in. I cook dinner and enjoy the rice Peggy sends with me. I do get extra protein into my meal as the mosquitoes are ruthless.

I have a fantastic gadget that I am so glad I have with me, an electric mosquito zapper. All night I hear and smell the casualties of the mosquitoes.

Sorry, it is them or me. :)

Good morning!

I love waking up to the sounds of the birds. Even after a night of mosquitoes, something about the morning always softens me again.

I take my time and create a peaceful morning rhythm to set the tone for the day. This is one of the gifts of this life. I can move slowly. I can listen to the birds. I can take my time making coffee. I can begin again.

I stop at Pine Point Rapids and enjoy a hike through the woods to a small, charming waterfall that cascades gently, contrasting with the black granite. I plan to sit for a while and enjoy this peaceful moment, but it is hard to relax with all the mosquitoes flying around me.

Another hike, and this time, when I find a tick climbing up my shoe, that is it. I am done. Time to move on. 

I get to Kenora in the late afternoon, and take another hike on the Tunnel Island Trail. I really like it here because it reminds me of Harriman State Park in New York, where I spent many years hiking.

There is something comforting about finding a place so far from home that still reminds me of home. The rocks, the trees, the feeling of walking through the woods. For a moment, I feel both far away and familiar at the same time.

By the time I get back to my car, the skies are shaking with thunder, and the rain is beginning.

Time to change my plans.

I hope that while I stop to shower at the community center, the rain will stop. My day pass allows me to use the facility to take a shower and use the hot tub. Now that is an unexpected nice bonus.

The rain finally stops.

There is a Walmart nearby, so I know that will be my home tonight. However, I feel it is still too early to end the day, so I head to the local park. Some of the picnic tables are under cover, and I take advantage of a dry one to spread my yoga mat.

Funny enough, I am not the only one with this idea.

Elizabeth is from BC, and she is traveling to Newfoundland in her van. It is her first long-distance trip, and of course, she has valid concerns that come with this kind of adventure.

I totally see myself in her story. That was me three years ago.

I remember the fear, the uncertainty, and not knowing if I could really do this. I remember how everything felt like a big puzzle, and I was not sure if I had all the pieces. And now, there are times that I am stunned by how far I have come. Fear is no longer a constant visitor.

It still comes sometimes. Of course it does, but it no longer sits in the passenger seat next to me.

It amazes me how much this chapter in my life has given me confidence. But most of all, I recognize how much self-empowerment I am gaining by pushing through the fear, the uncertainty, and the puzzle of the road.

Elizabeth sparks a possibility that I had pushed away because I thought it might be too much to add to my travel map. I do not want to restrict myself with reservations, but at this point, I feel I am farther than I thought I would be. I feel I am moving faster than I thought I would need.

I am not rushing myself. I am just letting the road determine the time.

So maybe, if I get to Nova Scotia earlier than I thought, crossing to Newfoundland could be a possibility.

Maybe I can see a bit more of Newfoundland than I did two years ago. I know well enough that my biggest challenge is not necessarily time, but getting a spot on the ferry might be a challenge. I guess I will have to wait and see.

It is a quiet night in the Walmart neighborhood. :)

The parking lot is full of vans and RVs. I find my corner, cover my windows, and enjoy a peaceful night.

It is a beautiful morning. The skies are filled with white, fluffy clouds, and the sun is playing peekaboo, creating a wonderful, perfect temperature for exploring.

Rushing River Provincial Park is only 20 minutes away. By 8 o’clock, I am at the park.

I set off on a hike to check out the rapids. I love this kind of beauty. The park has a large lake that makes up most of the park, but my favorite section is the rushing water that flows down the river.

I take a hike along the river and find a few places where I can sit at the water’s edge and enjoy this mesmerizing flow.

There is something about rushing water that always pulls me in. Maybe because it keeps moving, even around rocks, even through narrow places.

Maybe I am learning to do the same.

I take the opportunity of this gorgeous day and the dry picnic table and enjoy cooking. I make lunch my main meal today and keep dinner simple tonight.

Since it is only twenty minutes away from last night’s free spot at Walmart, I decide to go back there for the night and even enjoy another hour at the community center.

Sweet dreams.