Back From Sudbury (Again)

The purpose of the trip was to see my Dad's ashes buried in the local cemetery.  Only 19 people were invited, plus a priest.  Afterwards there was to be a buffet luncheon nearby.  It was an extremely windy morning, and much female hair was blown about.  The service was short, and went well.  The only problem was that my brother did not want to bury the ashes.  Go figure.  So we went through this entire ceremony, two days of driving, inviting people over, and then taking the ashes back home.  My mother was not impressed, though at least my brother had asked her about it beforehand. 

Instead of driving all the way up in one day (it takes 8-9 hours depending on traffic), we took back roads much of the way, and drove only as far as Parry Sound, south of Sudbury.  Deb lived in this small tourist town for two years when she was a child.  We have not spent any time here in many years.  If you like lakes, trees, hiking, waterfalls, etc., then Parry Sound is a nearly ideal place to visit, especially in autumn.  Before reaching the Sound, we stopped at a meadery not too far from Amherstburg, to stock up on supplies.  The back road drive was so much nicer than taking the express highways.  Once we arrived in Parry Sound, we checked into our downtown motel and walked a trail to nearby Trestle Brewing Company for dinner and some refreshment.  Parry Sound has a famous, long, and very high train trestle.  Next morning we climbed a very high fire lookout tower, with views into Georgian Bay and the small town.  It was the beginning of the wind which would last for two days, including the cemetery visit.

 

Our first fun stop on the way.

 

An abandoned schoolhouse, deep in southern Ontario farming country.

 

The impressive train trestle in Parry Sound.

 

The Still River empties into Georgian Bay at Parry Sound.

 

View of the outdoor deck at Trestle Brewing, where we sat for our visit.

I bought a tee-shirt and 6 cans of ale.  We had dinner here, too.

View from the outdoor deck at Trestle Brewing Co.

 

Two views from the top of the fire tower in Parry Sound.

Great Lakes ships are able to enter the harbour from Georgian Bay.

The tower we climbed (and climbed) is in the upper background.

 

Abandoned home with lilacs.

 

Falls of the Wanup River, on our way to Sudbury next morning.

 

Part of the cemetery gathering.

Deb stands beside my two nieces, all three in black.

 

We drove back all in one go.  Being a Sunday, there was less traffic than a weekday, and far fewer trucks.  This week is medical appointment week.  Deb has one and I have three, mostly for physio for right elbow tendinitis, from some early April wood chopping.  More news as it happens.  Film report next time, including some Doctor Who episodes we saw in Sudbury. 

Mapman Mike