July 27: Cycle path

Excitement coursed through me the moment I spotted the bike trail:  a route that follows a thin strip of land in the middle of the St Lawrence River, delineating part of the St. Lawrence Seaway.  The Seaway was an ambitious project completed in 1959, allowing ships to travel from Thunder Bay to the Atlantic Ocean.

In the past decade, Montreal has been striving to be one of the world’s leading biking destinations. Included in its extensive network of bike trails is one that follows the Estacade, a causeway from Nun’s Island, leading to the aforementioned strip of land.  Eleven kilometres of cycling along the seaway takes one to the town of Ste Catherine and its lock, bypassing the Lachine Rapids.  I spread out my blanket in the picnic perfect park with a view of rapids and the distant city skyline.  

July 20: Nickel and mining

Such a sleep depriving week! I kayak on Lake Huron between brutal call shifts.  I take a detour to Manitoulin Island on my way to Sudbury's airport.  Manitoulin’s claim to fame: it is the largest island on a lake.  On the island is the largest lake on an island in a body of freshwater.  Does this island also contain the largest lake on an island inside a lake on an island inside a fresh body of water?

I visit the famed Big Nickel Mine on the eve of its 50^th anniversary. I miss the celebrations and Guiness Record beating feat:

http://www.northernlife.ca/news/localNews/2014/07/22-big-nickel-record-attempt-sudbury.aspx

July 13, 2014: Tales of two cities

I train back to Toronto.  Though Montreal is well known for the plethora of excellent cuisine, my search for interesting vegetarian options have been slow.  I return to Toronto for Summerlicious—“restaurant speed dating”.  Eight meals in 5 days—Filipino cuisine, innovative fusion, vegan fare, Middle Eastern, Eastern European.  I eat around the globe, revelling in my return to one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. 

Offsetting these calories requires some major activity.  I paddle a voyageur canoe to Toronto Island at sunrise.  Sandra and Anita, and I take in the skyline bathed in early morning light.  We delight in the ducks and swans skimming by.  Such serenity, so close to Gardiner’s traffic snarls.