Part Two-Minnedosa to Rainy River

June 26th, 2019/Morris to Vassar

Day's total/KM 126/elevation gain 129 meters
Total to date/KM 2896.1/Total elevation gain 18613 meters

I set the alarm for 6 AM in anticipation the tent would arrive this morning. Made breakfast, packed and was at the Post Office shortly after the doors opened. With the new tent strapped on I bid farewell and I was underway once again. I exited via Hwy 23, again the shoulder was gravel, traffic was somewhat light, it was still early. It felt good to be spinning the pedals again. The winds were light, I made good time to the junction and swung South on Hwy 59, then East onto the  403. When I crossed Hwy 216 the 403 went to gravel. A grater was working the section between 216 and beyond making headway difficult. I experienced my first spill, it was at low speed, the front wheel caught a soft spot and pushed the front end off balance, all I could do was chuckle. There was no harm done. At the turn onto Hwy 12 I stopped for a roadside lunch break, last nights pizza was on the menu. It was a nice break from the usual flat bread and pickings from the on board food stash. A shady dirt road that led to a farmers field was the perfect spot. I fended off the biting bugs and downed lunch like a starved seagull.
 I followed Hwy 12 to the turn that led to Vassar, 4.4 km’s in, I soon found the only store in town, picked up supper and a few beer. I backtracked to the campground which turned out to be quiet nice, I was the only camper, no washrooms or showers, it did have water. I was now on high alert for wood ticks, I had removed on in Morris, Vassar had more than it's share.

June 27th, 2019/Vassar to Rainy River

Day's total/KM 113/elevation gain 42 meters
Total to date/KM 3009.1/Total elevation gain 18655 meters
 
I broke the 3000 Kilometer mark! 
I woke at 6 AM and was underway shortly after 8. On today's menu was a 44k section to the U.S. Border, then another 70k plus back into Canada. I wasn't alone! Not far out from Morris I've been escorted by swarms of Horse Flies. It doesn't matter how fast I peddle they keep pace. The odd one comes in for a snack, but for the most part if they leave me alone.
 Crossing into the U.S. was uneventful, a couple of questions, a peek in the panniers and I was off. I soon spotted Subway shortly after entering the U.S. It's the first stores I’ve seen since Vassar. The U.S. offered up gravel shoulders just like Canada, it always makes it tough especially in traffic. I was met with slight head winds as well, nothing to get excited about. I made reasonable time and was soon approaching the Canadian Border. One last stop at McDonald's before entering Canada and my fifth province. Welcome to Ontario!
I had removed in Morris a blood sucking tick on my back. I wanted a Doctor to check it out. I walked into the hospital at Rainy River, they checked me out straight away. I was not to worry, it wasn't carrying Limes, some free dressing and requested I stop by in the morning.
The campground was alongside the banks of the Rainy River, bit of a weird spot, it was like pitching on someone’s boulevard, there were houses all around. Registration was back in town, which of course was now closed and so were the washrooms and showers. I acquired the restroom key from another camper, he agreed to leave it under his camper tire so I could use the facilities in the morning. A few beers then off to bed for an early start in the morning.

Morris, Manitoba

Vassar, Manitoba with the new tent!

Baudette, Minnesota