I left Leamington early in the morning and it was damn cold. -3. But after a few hours the sun began to come out and the day was pleasant. I was getting near the end of my journey and I want to do enjoy these days and take it all in. And that's what happened on day 29.
I headed straight east along the North shore of Lake Erie. It's a part of the world that's kind of forgotten and there's not a lot of traffic or tourism. But the people down here are farmers and very true in their character and spirit.
You would think it would be easy you just keep following the road east but there were lots of detours and sometimes I got lost and went 4 mi out of my way and 4 mi back. But no worries as long as I was eventually heading east it was all okay.
I eventually came to a small town called Erieau which jutted out into the lake on a peninsula. Just beautiful. I pass dozens of people with large cameras and zoom lenses inspecting a large pond. Bird watching is a big thing down in this area. Many exotic and different kinds of birds nest here.
I kept the legs churning towards St Thomas as my destination. Like anything you wish for if you wish for it it will take longer to happen. That damn town never seemed to appear. I was parched to death but then remembered the second beer that Tyler had bought me the day before at the beer store. I stopped by the cemetery and boy did it taste great. With a few sandwiches too I started out with renewed energy.
Finally I reach St Thomas, a quaint little town in the middle of nowhere. I stopped at the local Tim Hortons and met some beautiful people Jerry and Ben.
They are locals born and bred in St Thomas. They both are just doing odd jobs to survive and getting unemployment. They hang out at Tim Hortons and catch up on all the local gossip. They helped me find a cheap hotel. All the ones on Google were over 185 dollars before tax. I just needed a bed for the night and would leave early in the morning so that's just beyond my budget. I found one for $100 before tax up the road thanks to Jerry and Ben. We chatted on about this and not bike riding and making a living in this tough world. Great people.
I checked into a mom and pop hotel on the edge of town. There I met another beautiful person. Gurpreet Kaur is the hotel manager and owner. The hotel was really run down and not up to standards but nonetheless she is a beautiful person. She told me all about her sik religion and was so excited for tomorrow because the most important holiday in the Sikh calendar, Vaisaikhi is happening and it coincided with Sunday when they go to Temple. She also told me about her son whose successful in insurance and her daughter who's into marketing and has taken a long trip to both Japan and Korea. She was all excited sharing her photo album of pictures of her daughter and all that she did in Korea. I was really struck by all the hard work she had done to raise good children and create a business here in Canada. A beautiful person.
Tomorrow will be my last day on the road. I'm excited. I don't know exactly what route I'll take I might jump up north and visit my old university town Waterloo but in any event I'll cross the Grand River and the Niagara escarpment ending where my sister lives in Milton. After Ive rested I will buy a pair of running shoes and visit the grave of my great friend and hero Ed Whitlock. I'll tell you about his story later but he's one of the most amazing athletes I've ever met and it's been an honor to be his friend and fellow runner.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2165066/there-will-never-be-another-ed-whitlock
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