September 10, 2022
We almost had to cancel our trip to Pukaskwa National Park because of a Covid scare. All of the symptoms, but after six negative tests and all symptoms clearing, we were good to go. Our trip north this time around includes camp hosting for two weeks at Pukaskwa National Park and some meandering through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the way back.
We crossed the border from Sarnia to Port Huron and drove north through Michigan. Someone paid forward $10 worth of gas in Birch Bay, which made us happy. Thank you, stranger!
We kept on driving and crossed back to Canada at Sault Ste Marie. Since we went through the US, there were a lot of food staples that we couldn’t take across the border, so we stocked up in town once we crossed back into Canada.
Before continuing north we stopped at the Parks Canada Locks for a quick look at the Emergency Swing Dam.
The last one remaining.
There were lots of interpretive plaques and we will let you read them at your own pace.
After our short visit to the park we continued to our favourite boondocking beach. We had a hard time finding it at night and to our dismay, once we found it, the gate was closed and no entry signs were posted. Last time we were here there were warning signs that this place will be closed off to the public if campers are not respectful of the space. What a shame.
We continued on and ended up parking at a provincial park’s parking lot, where we stopped for the night. All of the campgrounds within a 100km radius were full.
We had a good night at the parking lot and we expect to get to our camphosting park later on.
More about that coming soon. Stay well!
Interesting bridge/dam. Once again I have learned something new from you. I think you are good for my brain.
Parks Canada always has something unique to tell!
And since I won’t be going, I will luckily hear about a lot of that stuff from you.
Happy to oblige. I can take requested 😊
😀
One of the signs says “Why preserve this hunk of steel?” So that the children can look and wonder at something so amazing that isn’t on a TV screen.
What a great trip.
Exactly!
It’s too bad your favourite beach was closed. People just don’t seem to get it.
The swing bridge is an amazing thing to watch! I remember as a kid we spent a lot of time in the summers in an area with one. As soon as the gates came down people would get out of their cars to watch the bridge swing open to let the boats pass through. Quite something!
That is very cool that you got to see a working one as a kid!
What an interesting engineering idea. Thank you for sharing.
It is! Thanks for stopping by!
I am glad covid did not mess up your trip. Liked the lasr remaining swing bridge. Sad to see so many things disappear. Looks like you are having a great trip.
We are very happy it wasn’t Covid! Yes, great trip so far!
The swing bridge was a very interesting view and read. Didn’t know of its existence. Happy touring!
Thanks! Glad you found it interesting!
Glad you got to go on your trip despite the COVID scare. Whew! That river/bridge/damn looks very interesting. And what does it means to pay gas forward? Interesting and generous concept. Look forward to reading about the rest of your adventures!
The dam was cool to see! The concept of pre-paying at the gas for the next person who will stop for gas is a wonderful gesture ❤️
I’ve long had a ‘love affair’ with old covered bridges, but I dig any kind of unusual or beautiful (in design or setting) bridge, such as the one you feature.
I love covered bridges too. Actually all kind of bridges come to think of it 😊
Thank goodness all of you tested negative! A COVID scare just before a trip is highly stressful. Looks like you had a lot of fun!
It was a big relief and the trip so far is going very well other the lack of internet 😊
It’s so upsetting when a few people ruin something for the rest of us. Hopefully your boondocking spot opens up again one day.
It is! I really hope it will be accessible again one day!
glad to hear the covid tests were negative! love that swing bridge, but sad to hear about the beach boondocking site being closed…
You win some, you lose some!
I guess you need that attitude if you want to be a traveler!
Fascinating as always. Cheers, Muriel
Thanks for joining us!
I hate that your favorite beach boondocking site was closed! How frustrating- especially if people were warned.
The emergency swing dam is pretty cool. Water can be so destructive.
It was such a bummer!
Glad to hear that it all worked out and that you were able to go to Pukaskwa! I’m surprised that all the nearby campgrounds were full considering it was September. I guess Northern Ontario is becoming more popular.
Yeah, al the people that we spoke to said that they had a really hard time getting spots. It was the same in Michigan.