Get Your Wings-Ontario

Yours truly posing with Wing sculpture

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
                                                                               Mathew 5:9-19

Ecological Art Gallery girlfriend Amelia

Some donated works on display

Important Environmental Educators on site

I wanna go to the sun

Everything's outdoors at this gallery

How great is the goodness, Lord, that you keep for those who fear you.
Psalm 30:20

3 Dimensional work

Flower Painting

Functioning outhouse

Is this corn ready for picking?

Impressive tobacco crop

World's 1st and only Ecological Art Gallery

I like ice cream cones, how about you?

This hard working girl will weigh your blueberry pick

Soy field of dreams?

Canada's oldest full service filling station according the the owner in Vanessa, ONT

Fresh From the Dirt food stand in western Dundas, ONT

Ontario Provincial Flag with Canadian Flag

The Father gave us birth by the word of truth, that we would become first fruits of his creation.
                                                                                 James 1:18


Southern Ontario's certainly been filled with lots of pleasant surprises. Most notably, the rich varied farmland. Nothing against the corn and soybean crops of the lower 48, but the diversity of crops in southern Ontario wasn't something I anticipated. Besides corn and soybeans, tobacco is a big crop in this region. I thought this was a southern crop before I visited Canada. Blue berries, blackberries, strawberries, gooseberries are common as well as ginger, ginseng, grapes, peaches, plums, cherries, nectarines, beets,tomatoes and melons. Specialty melons too! These were just the crops I witnessed as a cyclist, I'm sure there is also a long list of produce grown, but not mentioned here.

I synopsized that irrigation and demand are the reasons for such a diversity of edible Canadian produce. Although the start up costs of importing are high, the harvest yields have been profitable according to some local growers. No shortage of fresh water from rivers and lakes in this region. Self serve fresh fruit and vegetable stands are popular in the country. Basically, you take what you want and leave cash in a lock box...nice way of doing business. These rural tactics were new and welcomed discoveries. I  enjoy the fresh air, big skies and quietness of the great outdoors.

A unique encounter I happened to roll up upon during a rainy day was the 'Made On Earth' outdoor Art Gallery. Although this is a work in progress, it should be in full swing for the summer season of 2013. It's being groomed to host the touring cyclist! Rick Sommer is the head honcho, he's developed the Worlds First Ecological Drive thru Art Gallery. The address is 2504 Long Woods Road Wardsville, Ontario, phone 519 693-0904. This private property has a full performance stage as well as a restroom and shower facilities. Original 3dimensional sculptures, paintings and wood carvings are also abundant. Everything in this exhibit has been donated and or been produced using donated materials. I must say that this is the most environmentally friendly exposition I've encountered.

Lands also exist where you can pick your own blueberries. You basically pick up a bucket, go out in a recommended picking area and pick as much fruit as you want. Then you bring it back, get your fresh  produce weighed and pay for it. Good way to get physical with your food.   

Canada-International Border Crossing

Local Seagull enjoying the beautiful St Clair River

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, says the Lord, and I will raise him up on the last day.
                                                             John 6:54

Lake Huron is muddier and has a shallower coastline than Lake Michigan

The earth is replete with the fruits of your work, O Lord; you bring forth bread from the earth and wine to cheer the heart.
                                                                 Psalm 103:13-15

Hard working Great Lakes barge in transition

Fishing lines accenting the Port Huron bridge (to Canada) on the Saint Clair river

Two Countries border the Saint Clair river.

                                                        
Your words, Lord, are spirit and life; you have the words of eternal life.

                  John 6:63,68


I took the $1.00 ferry from Marine City, MI to Sombra, ONT, into Canada but wasn't allowed to continue my travels in Canada. After a chat with the Canadian customs officials, I learned that you must have at least $5,000.00 available and be able to prove it with cash or a bank statement. This, I assume is a liability issue with health services. It is also recommended that you have your own health insurance. No firearms or pepper spray allowed to cross the border. There are many rules, laws and regulations that apply to international travelers. Fortunately, I was able to get into Ontario after a 2 day setback that forced me to attain the needed documents. Oh, there was a rainy day that halted my progress too.

The St. Clair river is one of the most beautiful rivers I've experienced. It's clear and blueish-green in color. I thought about the colors of Caribbean waters when I saw it. It flows south out of Lake Huron, then into Lake St. Clair. The river that flows out of Lake St. Clair is the Detroit River and it flows into Lake Erie.

The Zebra mussel is a non-native species that's been a concern among Great Lakes users within recent history. This animal has found a new home in this valued water system primarily as a result of foreign ships entering the waters and opening their bilge drainage systems. Environmentalists biologists and political activists are concerned about the food these mussels eat. Are they taking it from the small fish that grow up to support the sport fishing industry? Needless to say, however, I've never seen the Great Lakes and it's connecting rivers look so clean. These mussels are efficient cleaners of the water. They eat many of the microorganisms that cloud the water and make it look dirty.

Once I crossed the boarder I noticed that the value of the U.S. has weakened compared to the Canadian dollar (Loonie). The current exchange rate is approximately $.95 U.S. to $1.00 Canadian. Many grocery and department stores won't give you that rate. They'll give you $.90 to $1.00. Some places will give you an even exchange rate, I guess it depends how much they want your business. It pays to shop around.

One thing I must state in closing about Canada and it's people in general is, "these are the nicest folks I've met...anywhere.

MICHIGAN'S LOWER PENINSULA

Classic American car for sale

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever.
John 6:51-52

Rural Lower Peninsula Michigan corn field

Supreme Rail to Trail that's recently been completed

A country look at the Pere Marquette Trail

With the Lord there is mercy; in him is plentiful redemption.
Psalm 129:7 

My bucket of Bolts

Midland, MI Water Park (nice place on a hot day).

Fun Country Town

Beautiful Lake Huron in the late afternoon.

3310 Bay City Rd Midland, MI bikeshop...great service!

726 Huron Ave. Port Huron, MI bike shop...friendly staff!

Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in them, says the Lord.
                                                                             John 6:56

In Reed City I discovered a bike trail that runs east/west called the Pere Marquete Rail Trail. This route was recently completed and runs from Ludington, MI to Midland MI. What a excellent path! It was so nice to get off HWY 10. Unfortunately, I didn't find this trail earlier. In the winter, this is a popular route for snowmobilers and cross country skiers.

I really enjoyed the flat terrain of  the lower peninsula; an ideal place for a cross country cyclist carrying a lot of weight. Many people comment on how much stuff I carry, but I like to tell them that I like traveling in comfort and luxury.

Instead of taking the most direct route to Canada, I decided to tour lower Michigan's thumb region. Cities included on this stretch were Midland, Bay City, Bad Axe and Harbor Beach. Special thanks to Bad Axe Methodist Pastor, Jerry Sutton and family for their generous support on this leg. The worship center is located at 165 Pigeon Road No shortage of beautiful country and fresh air in rural Michigan.

Many beachfront property owners on Lake Huron and throughout the Great Lakes have been effected by  lowered water levels. This means a longer journey to the water and in many instances a muckier one. The invasive grass phragmites or elephant grass (similar to cattails) has become a hindrance to coastal accessibility. There's been debate and conflicts of interest as to how to deal this this new species of grass. Should it be cut down to provide beach access, or allowed to grow and make recreational activities in that area virtually impossible?  This is a big issue for local landowners, politicians and tourists.