To The Hundredth Meridian: DAY 2 THURSDAY AUG. 22 MARATHON ON

The day dawned a little less early and we were on our way. One of the things we constantly remind ourselved of is the fact that Northern Ontario isn't all rock, forest, lakes and muskeg ... althought there certainly plenty of those things in great supply. There are also green and productive farms, especially around Dryden, and many small, busy and tidy towns: Terrace Bay, on the shores of Lake Superior is my favourite. We arrived in Kenora for a pizza supper and then began the two hour sprint to Winnipeg. I always look forward to the part in Manitoba, about an hour or so into the province, where the forest gives way and the open and truly flat prairie begins: that is when you know you have crossed a boundary into another world.

We enjoyed arriving in Thunder Bay in brilliant sunshine and gazed out to the "Sleeping Giant" in the massive lake. We also stopped, as we always do, at the Terry Fox memorial and contemplated the huge achievement of this uniquely Canadian hero. Even though we've been here before, and Terry's "Marathon of Hope" was 30 years ago, his story is still so impressive and so moving. We always get a little teary eyed when we read the inscription on the memorial.

And so ends another 12 hour and 1000 km day. We arrived at the home of our good friends Joy and Don. They are wonderful people and welcomed us with open arms, good food, cold beer, a comfortable bed and the promise of 3 days in one of our favourite cities, and one of the most under-rated places, in Canada: Winnipeg. We felt energized to be here !!