Barrie to Ottawa - Day 22

Heather

At breakfast I was asked if I heard the fire alarm or the thunderstorm and nope – I had not!

Heather in the breakfast room asked me about my bike and chatted with me about riding and made sure I knew that wipe down rags and buckets were available. 

Wenda with the wicked sense of humour!

She also served up bacon, sausage and cheese omelettes along with the usual fare of yogurt, fruit, waffles, coffee and juice and Wenda on the front counter, well she was a doll – she had me in stitches with her sense of humour but more importantly she was extremely efficient and friendly on that front counter!   
John, the maintenance guy was up and at em early changing bulbs and fixing the little things that break down over time – he keeps this place perking along and seems well loved by his colleagues.  Then there was Don, the guy who checked us in the night before. 

John and Nancy

He was so sweet and again, had a great sense of humour but was very efficient too. I can’t thank him enough for making sure we knew about the parking of our bikes under the canopy, breaky time and all of the wonderful amenities along of the hotel served up with quips about offering us wipe down rags but then looking at the rain and laughing saying he didn’t think we really needed them just yet!

Mellissa is the housekeeper on my floor and she does a fantastic job of keeping the rooms she is assigned to very clean and tidy. In a busy hotel that is no small job!

The lobby is so warm and inviting and the chairs, well you sink right in to them

I had the deep pleasure of meeting Nancy O’Halloran, the regional sales manager for Pacrim Hospitality and the hotel’s Manager Mirka Rollason – these two very dynamic women were an absolute pleasure to talk to. Nancy took me for a tour of the hotel and showed me all of its rooms – each nicer than the last. 

Big Bedroom Area

The Jacuzzi Suite was amazing – next time, that’s the room I want to book!   

The hotel boasts a great meeting/reception room along with an exercise room, pool and hot tub. The parking lot is perfect for a show ‘n’ shine and both Mirka and Nancy would like to have groups that want to do charity fundraisers and ride nights take advantage of their facility.

meeting/reception room

Hotel's Outside view

If any of you riding clubs are interested in taking them up on the idea – give them a call and check out the place – it’s in a great location and has lots to offer!

Super 8 Barrie
441 Bryne Drive
Barrie ON L4N 6C8
Latitude: 44.3358319
Longitude: -79.6905132
PH: (705) 814-8888
Toll Free: 1-866-867-6070
Fax: (705) 814-8889
Email: gm@super8barrie.com
Web Site: http://www.super8barrie.com/

On to Ottawa...

On this day I was supposed be riding with Jason and Christine from Rider’s Quest Magazine out of Peterborough. Sadly for me they could not meet me, they had an opportunity to be on local TV and needed to take it, plus they had the chance to sell some advertising for their magazine and needed to meet with a client – good for them!

I road the route I was supposed to ride with them – one they had sent me. I was wonderful – and although the weather very overcast, my German riding companion, Michael and I never got rained on. I had my Froggs Toggs on, but never got to give them any kind of real work out.

The road that Jason and Christine had mapped out was a wonderful ride, hilly and curvy, lots of trees and streams; it was the long sweet way to Ottawa and I know that both Ratman and I enjoyed the road!  We went through small communities like Gooderham, Bancroft and Denbigh. Visit Riders Quest Magazine’s web site to see what other Ontario Rides they recommend! http://www.ridersquest.ca/

Lots of trees and streams

I arrived at my room at the Comfort Inn West Kanata at about supper time.

That smile...makes you feel soooo welcome!

I was checked in and given the biggest smile and low down on the amenities of the hotel and then headed to unpack the bike. I needed to get some laundry done and this location has a small and much appreciated laundry room. I went back to the front desk and picked up some soap and some fabric softener which are complimentary when you use the laundry room facilities!  

I headed back to my room and proceeded to start the copying process from my three cameras and their memory chips. A good night’s sleep was on the agenda!

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The Road between North Bay & Sault Ste Marie...

The trip across Canada that we recently under took to promote the Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education was accomplished in 34 days - round trip (We took in 8 provinces out of the 10 provinces and 3 territories that comprise Canada). Hardly gives one the time to truly take in all that this magnificent country we call Canada has to offer the touring rider....

Each province and I do mean each province of this magnificent country could use a month for exploration to do them any kind of justice.

The road between North Bay & Sault Ste Marie offer up some incredible sights - the Great Lake - Superior ensures it!

So many incredible adventures await you in Ontario and one of them takes place between North Bay and the "Soo". A member of Belt Drive Betty dot Com had posted one of his favourite day rides as being the one called the Deer Trail Touring Loop.

He described so many attractions that are possible to visit in this loop and while I did not get the chance to actually experience it, I did get to know a lot more about the loop and the various attractions within the loop. We stopped in at the visitor centre to learn more - I WILL be doing this loop and sooner than later!

One of the many Deer Statues that adore the Visitor Centre Area

The sign at the Centre that shows you all of the attractions and points of interest along the Deer Trail Touring Route

In all this one route contains 16 attractions and points of interest. As I said, we did not have the time to do all that we wanted but we sure identified things we are coming back to do!

We stopped in at Bruce Mines Marina - I really wanted to know why TJ recommended this place and why so many riders stop there. It didn't take much to figure that out once there.

View from the deck is fabulous

View from the deck is fabulous

The restaurant there has a great menu, the service is decent and the view from the deck is fabulous. I took a walk down to the Marina as you can see from these pictures - the place is beautiful!

Canada Geese and Seagulls seem to love the place...

It also appears that punch buggies like to come here!

Yes - our Canada has a lot to offer folks and if you haven't experienced it then may I highly recommend it - the diversity, the magnificence and splendour - they are bountiful!

There are so many places in Ontario that are on my bucket list - and I intend to visit as many of them as possible in the years to come...

Until later - ride safe..............

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North Bay and a childhood fantasy

I have, since I was a small girl been enthralled with carousels. Who would have ever thought that in North Bay ON I would see a world class example...actually make that 2 and VERY fine examples they would be.

The very helpful young gal (Nicole) at the Comfort Inn in North Bay at Lakeside gave hubby and I a list of must do's...She was able to give us really great suggestions and directions. This little lady is a very dedicated employee (she worked two shifts back to back to cover for a gal whose child came down with small pox) and she is very cheerful and helpful - a real customer service super star and I want to thank her publicly for helping to make my day so enjoyable.

Any way - list and map courtesy of Nicole, in hand...off we went.
Down at the wharf we toured the original Chief Commanda ship that is now a restaurant/pub you see below...

  The marina and area around the old Chief Commanda are beautiful and I can see that during the peak of the tourism/summer season would be a hopping place.

We were not certain that we were going to get the chance to see the hand carved carousel's at the Heritage Railway & Carousel across the street...but "Auntie Gail" make sure that we did!

The caboose that acts as a boarding station for the miniature railway...

The master plan for the rail road to join the Museum to the water front area - the museum is located across the railroad tracks. The day we visited North Bay the museum was closed but I am told it is very worth going to.

Auntie Gail getting one of three trains ready for the day. Gail is one of many volunteers who works on the Heritage Railway & Carousel. The trains each cost about $100K each.

North Bay is a rail way town with a rich rail way history and has a devoted and dedicated volunteer community that works hard to preserve the memories.

In all - 180 artists and carvers along with 50 carpenters to put it all together were involved with the creation of two very different but equally stunning carousels.

The craftsmanship and artistry in these carousels is something to behold. These are fantastic examples of the local artisans...that's right, the carousels you see here are all made by local artists.

There is a plaque beside every horse or seating piece that tells you which family/business adopted the piece and it's name.

Carved horses

The music, the exquisitely carved horses ...the art work and the memories....what a delight this carousel was -  but this was not all that Auntie Gail had to show us....

A second carousel - VERY different from the first was waiting under the tent you see below...

Winter - Santa and all things childhood fantasy awaited! It was just as gorgeous and stunning as the first one...

The seahorse was so pretty...

Santa's sleigh was a hoot.

The hare and the wolf were so intricately done....

The beaver was a bit of whimsy...

The raccoon and her baby sat next to the lynx...

Auntie Gail and mee

Gail explained to us that the entire Heritage Railway & Carousel is funded by local sponsors and through some  grants. The money that they make from giving rides and selling souvenirs takes care of much of the operational expenses. So, hubby and I went to the gift shop and tried to just donate some money because this place is so amazing but nope - they don't take donations so we bought the smallest keepsakes they had, some train key chains and off we went to our next adventure...

Until later...ride safe....

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