Crossed over south of Espanola to the island complex of Manitoulin, however the roads like those before do not follow the shore line, thus we are restricted from seeing these beautiful lakes.  All the shore line is private housing or heavily timbered private property. Our camp is on part of the old road beside Ice Lake.

Camp 183: Ice Lake Camp

Cost: Nil. 

N45* 154.029 W082* 23.914

Today :  363Kms.  

Trip Total :72,345 Kms

Thursday 10th May:

BLUE SKY today! Still cold out of the sun and wind but what a great sky.

At the end of the road is the Janet Head lighthouse, built in 1879 and of typical architecture of the time where the keepers house is part of the complex.

Manitoulin Island is the worlds largest fresh water island. Basically an island of farms, with about a third of the population native indian.

Our lunch stop is at the boat harbour in Providence Bay. Started talking to one of the local fisherman who pointed out the numerous Rainbow trout swimming in the waters just under the jetty.

Booked on one of the only two ferry crossings per day for the 3.50pm departure from South Baymouth to Tobermory on the southern edge of Lake Huron. A two and half hour trip.

Still coming to grips with the size of this fresh water lake!

Camp 184: Cabot Head Lighthouse Camp

Cost: Nil.  Down a side track.

N45* 14.416 W081* 17.705

Today : 300 Kms.  

Trip Total :72,645 Kms

Friday 11th May:

Most of the day was driving to Buffalo/Niagara on the USA side of the border. We are here to collect a part for the Vehicle. The front hub has stress marks where someone in the vehicles history has attempted to remove the hub without taking off the ‘C’ clip. The replacement part in Australia $1025 , in the US $385 - same part - same Japanese production factory - ??

Bill and Gay also will meet us here, they are our long term travelling companions and will be joining us again later for Central and South America. We will explore Nova Scotia and Newfoundland together.

...and Niagara Falls

Finally at around 7.30pm we pulled into the camp site where Bill & Gay were staying.  Lots of talking and drinking till late.

Camp 185:  Evangola State Park on Lake Erie.

Cost: Nil.   - Park office operational times 10am to 3pm!

N42* 36.137 W079* 07.070

Today : 500 Kms.  

Trip Total :73,145 Kms

Saturday 12th May:

Left at 7.30am today, and the park office still not open, and no self registration...not to worry.

The day was spent walking, all 11 hours of walking on both the US and Canadian side of the Niagara Falls.

Yep it is special!

And another life box ticked off.

Camp 186:  Seneca Niagara Casino Carpark

Cost: Nil. 

Many casinos allow free camping in their car parks. Free camping & free parking what a bonus !

N42* 305.250 W079* 03.212

Today : 500 Kms.  

Trip Total :73,145 Kms

Sunday 13th May:

Mothers Day was a slow start with buffet breakfast in the casino, then watching some crazy tight rope artist (Nick Wallenda) practicing in preparation to walk the falls gap!

Finally offloaded to a smaller side road and felt much more relaxed.

Just outside of Coburg

Camp 187:   Coburg East Campground

Cost: $29.00 

N43* 59.434 W077* 59.978

Today : 273 Kms.  

Trip Total :73,503 Kms

Monday 14th May:

A Blue Sky Day, wind gone and quite warm.

Very country.

It was a single lane road across the island to the very small barge transport to the USA. The barge could take only the 3 cars and our two trucks.

We were quite excited about the isolation.

Well that was until we reached the USA and drove off the barge and to the one room border post.

The lady customs official was totally officious. She was wrong in her assessment of our 5 year multiple entry visa even though this was pointed out to her by her superior.

Not withstanding all that her attitude was so unlike all the many others we had at numerous USA border crossings. i guess there has to be one to blot it for many!

Past that unfortunate incident, 30kms up the road is 1000 Islands. About 860 small and large islands in the St Laurence River.

The structure was just left and he never returned to the island.  After 73 years of decay  new ownership in 1977 has slowly been restoring this massive structure.

This is the power and water pump house.

Below the children’s play house!

Camped with friends:

Camp 188:   1000 Islands  - Kring Point State Park Campground. One of the best we have been in - beautiful.

Cost: Nil. Only the workmen on site and no keys to the office.         He said...

“ I guess it is free to international travellers” 

N44* 22.606 W075* 51.562

Today : 229 Kms.  

Trip Total :73,732 Kms

Some useless info:

You know that the name Waldorf Salad came from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, well 1000 Islands dressing was named after this area where the proprietor of the Waldorf Astoria holidayed.