(August 19)
Dear Folks,
Greetings from Kirkland Lake. On our way here, we made a quick stop at Beardmore. We thought that you might enjoy the giant snowman statue.
The day started out very foggy and rainy. The fog diminished. The rain was intermittent all day.
It was a fine drive, but long.
When we got here and tried to unload, Karma’s wheels got tangled in our broom and Mari’s leash. Thankfully, David was outside, talking with his son. He came to our rescue, taking the broom apart and stashing it and untangling the leash. The Girls gave him kisses of gratitude. David also lugged in our suitcase.
David is very mechanical. He redoes houses (for fun, we think). He started out as an electrician and now is a crane technician. He travels all over northern Ontario, visiting mines and servicing their cranes. He says that’s what keeps a population in northern Ontario–mining–and logging. He lives in Sudbury and has a vacation home in Nova Scotia.
David grew up on Cape Cod. His mother is from the Berkshires. He has relatives in Maine, but could not say where. He has been in Canada for at least 34 years. So…another helping angel.
We went for a walk by the Microtel. That is where we found the Miners’ Memorial. It is such an impressive 3-D sculpture. We hope that you can read the legend. What an extraordinary way to make a living.
Hugs and wags for tonight.
The Lowman Family.
August 20
Dear Folks,
An early text today. We are preparing for our last big push tomorrow.
Today we went to Kinross Pond. We had found it when we went through in 2022. It’s an absolute gem: and there is a paved path that goes all along its circumference. (We made sure to stay on the path.).
Kirkland Lake has a population of about 10,000. In case you were wondering what kind of mining they do here–gold. Along the paved path there are plaques to famous KL-ers. We were intrigued to learn that the character played by Charles Bronson in “The Great Escape” was modeled on the Tunnel King of Kirkland Lake. During World War II, a group of miners from Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba served in a special tunneling corps. That included several from Kirkland Lake. And several of their famous sons and daughters are known globally.
The pond is beautiful and peaceful. People go to walk and ponder. Some feed the pigeons and chipmunks. This is bear country, so we are back to the metal bear-résistant containers. We saw a large quantity of bear scat.
People here–as throughout the northern climes–seem to really treasure the chance to be outside. And you see people across the age spectrum –from very young to very old. The human spirit finds a way, not just to survive, but to thrive.
Tomorrow night we should be in Drummondville. Getting there should be an adventure. 😇
Hugs and Wags.
The Lowman Family