The neighbors were visiting and sharing stories. Everyone had been up much of the night corralling crazed cows and horses and in one case a. barn had collapsed with a lot of panic stricken cows inside. But everyone in tents and houses were just fine and we thought that Sierra Design (our tent manufacturer) could use this night as a promo for the quality of their tents. We heard later that everyone had not fared so well in Ottawa where the main stage at the Blues Festival collapsed just after the performing band evacuated it.
We had a pleasant breakfast while chatting with the farmers and their neighbors. We had come to learn that this was a very different sort of farm. Beyond the pet pot belly pig and the peacocks who brought life to the place, the key difference was that the farm was using silicon chips rather than green plants to capture solar energy on nearly half of their 200 acres. In fact they had more than 300,000 solar panels in their field producing 23 megawatts of power, which is enough to power 7000 homes. Thanks to the government of Ontario support programs, they said it was more lucrative and far less risky than planting crops on the same land. Wow.
We said goodbye and were off to Ottawa. It was a pleasant trip in, first on country roads, and then after a short stretch of suburbs, we did 10 km on a beautiful paved bike trail through parks and along the Ottawa River,
with the trail depositing us at Parliament (with a stop at MEC on the way).
Another 10 km of bike trail and we were just a few city streets away from our destination at Nour's house (Jeff and Deb Moore's son-in-law- Sarah and the kids are visiting Deb & Jeff in NS). Obviously NS is a third world country relative to Ontario when it comes to things like energy policy and bike infrastructure. Also the number of people using the trails was amazing (build it and they will come!). I should add that the signage was terrible... Yes there were great trails but trying to find them or get from one to another was often an adventure in frustration. The best strategy was to look for other bikers and then follow them. Once you knew where to go, things got a lot easier.
Upon our arrival, we got a grand tour of Nour and Sarah's house- beautiful... and Nour went all out hosting with a scrumptious Indian supper topped off by yummy ice cream cones (he found our hearts quick). Nearly falling asleep at the table after four tough days of biking up and down hills in the heat, we quickly settled in to comfy beds that felt like home. Thank you Nour!
Distance: 81.55 p km
Time on bikes: 4:28:52
Average speed: 18.1 km/h
Distance from Vancouver: 5385 km
Start: 9:00 am
End: 5:00 pm
Wind: west (strong-tail)
Conditions: sunny with clouds, muggy
Cheers
- The Warpotay Team
Location:Ottawa, Ontario
Dear Warpotays
ReplyDeleteThese are indeed trying times for our intrepid cyclists. We of the armchair variety salute you again for continuing to take it on the chin with grace, equanimity, vast quantities of food and giant slurpees on occasion. NS is certainly a biking/infrastructure backwater, but the weather must be beckoning to you now that we have settled into a lovely summer routine of moderate temps and frequent westerlies. The companion projects here on the lake are still taking shape but no insurmountable setbacks. We await your smiling faces coming down the hill to have a look.
Blog posts from your journey, partnered with a recent trip to the Lorax have inspired a message for the WarPoTay team. A message which may be essential for the completion of your trip! In order to reveal the message, however, you must unveil the words hidden within two photos (emailed to Alan and Evan). Best of luck!
ReplyDelete--
Congratulations!!! You have passed the half-way point, we all knew you could. And with help from this message the remainder of the trip you should!
You’ve traversed the mountains, bearing heavy winds and rain. Found tasty wild treats to cover any pain.
You’ve had some bike troubles, but have learned to repair. You’ve survived the Trans Canada Highway, and now, you’re almost there!
But. before your journey comes to an end, you will switch from English to French, trying to comprehend.
To help you get through the Atlantic section of your trip, we are sending you a message from the Lorax and Friends, so hip.
Your strong leg muscles won’t help you with this task, only with your brain these words you will unmask.
From these riddles and rhymes, you will discover all that has developed on the Lorax in the passing time.
These photos won’t speak for themselves; you will have to use the powers of the wizards and the elves!