Day 45 - White River, Ont. to Wawa, Ont.

June 27, 2026 

Start Time: 6:30 am 

Stop Time: 11:15 am 

KM Travelled: 88.4 km 

Elevation: +661/ - 772 m 

Special Stuff: Moose, Wawa, Being an inspiration

My hand on the RV door, I press it and it clicks closed. Brian is inside enjoying a ‘lie in’ on his day off while I’m off to Wawa. Preparing for this trip, I heard alot about Wawa – I think it is mostly because it is one of the towns always referenced on the 'distance to the next down' signs – and because it feels like it takes forever to get there. I will be in Wawa today. 

Starting my ride in the morning it’s really cold. My fingers and toes are freezing (I’m not wearing gloves or socks these last few days). I remind myself to enjoy the cold because in a few short hours it’s going to be uncomfortably hot. 

I’m 11 km out of White River when in the distance I see the silhouette of a moose on the left side of the road – so beautiful. There are no vehicles on the highway. I’m not concerned about my safety, but I’m concerned about the safety of the moose. It crosses the tarmac, but there is a corner so I cannot see if it has completely crossed the road and gone off into the bushes. A few moments later, a car comes up behind me, so I wave, trying to warn them about the moose – the car gives a friendly honk (I sigh...my strategy did not work). Then came 3 more vehicles. Thankfully, I do not hear the screeching of brakes. As I come around the corner, I see no sign of the moose – it was as if it had never been there. 

Back in Thunder Bay, one of the Elders in the breakfast room shared that their daughter had just hit a moose near Wawa (the vehicle was totalled, but the passengers were fine). I wonder what more we can do to safeguard wildlife and travellers from the dangers of the highway. 

Subway is a restaurant that I never go to back at home. Here on the road, I see a Subway and I light up! The Subway sandwich, a foot-long Canadian Club (that I picked up after seeing the Winnie the Pooh point of interest) nourishes me on my ride today. I wonder if foods like this (that I normally never eat or drink) will become nostalgic when I get back - things like rice crispie squares, chocolate milk, cranberry apple juice. 

I see a couple of turkey vultures and find that interesting. Perhaps they have a nest in the area. I see this bird so rarely, I wonder how they even find each other in this vast wilderness! 

10 km from my destination, Brian passes me – and as always, I sense him coming and I feel him sneaking up behind me. It must be something about the speed he is driving and the sound of the truck and trailer.

Coming into Wawa, I come across a man with a long beard running on the other side of the road - headed west. Such an interesting place to be running...I guess that he must live in Wawa.

I meet up with Brian at the campground that is just west of Wawa. It’s a great campsite that has everything we need. We drive into Wawa to have a look around – a cute little town with giant statues of geese. The town is right on a lake.  

At the campsite we meet another biker (‘Steve the Cross-Canada Biker’) who is going east. He left Victora on May 13^th – one day before me. 'Steve the Cross-Canada Biker' is in his early 60’s and has such an amazing energy and perspective on life. It is fun to exchange our experiences - he lets me know the bearded runner is actually running across Canada (confirmed by 'The German" who 'Steve the Cross-Canada Biker' has also met and keeps in touch with). 'Steve the Cross-Canada Biker' has done some great things to adapt his gear – he's even made his own fenders - it looks like out of milk cartons!). 'Steve the Cross-Canada Biker' shares this quote: “Be an inspiration or be a cautionary tale.” I never thought that by doing this bike ride I would be an inspiration - HOWEVER I have no intention of becoming a cautionary tale – so if I need to make a choice, I’ll take being an inspiration (😊). 

Brian and I plan out our next few days. It is more work to make plans with an RV and Brian’s work schedule. He is really flexible with my needs, but I am mindful that he needs dedicated blocks of time and a stable environment to be effective in his work. I realize that I may need to have some days on my own once in a while – and that is okay. 

Tomorrow I’m off to Montreal River Harbour – last overnight stop before Sault Ste. Marie. I’m starting to get my mind prepared for the section of the trip after Sault Ste. Marie – I am starting to see Quebec in the distance. Quebec will require more planning because bikers are not allowed on the highways there.