I had no enthusiasm for more biking when I pulled my saturated gloves back on for the third time today. We had been biking in the pouring rain since just after 7:30 this morning with no respite. My shoes were soaked through too despite the waterproof shoe covers I had on. So wet I could feel the water squish between my toes. The rest of me was chilled but mostly dry. I wear a buff under my helmet which helps keep me warmer. It’s cold today and very, very wet. However, when we got going again it didn’t take too long to warm up again. Even my wet parts warmed up in their private little saunas.
Charlie, Willy and I biked 60km then met Rebecca in the RV for a snack of tea and huge chocolate chip peanut butter cookies. So nice! Then we did another 40km and met Rebecca again for a fabulous lunch spread. Then., very reluctantly we three went back out into the downpour for the remaining 33km.
The party will soon be over. Rebecca and Willy, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law drove up from Illinois to support our bike trip for 6 days, 5 nights. They will be heading home on Tuesday after lunch and Charlie and I will be on our own again. They have helped us in so many ways, from carrying all our panniers, to providing us with snacks, great nutritious meals and hot cups of tea, as well as showers, indoor plumbing and a cozy safe place to sleep in their RV. Willy and Charlie poured over maps and checked stats on distance, elevations, shoulder width, amount of traffic, type of traffic and accommodations available along our way through this huge and mighty province. Together they figured out the best way for us to get through Ontario. The northern route is probably better even though it is 85 km longer. It’s flatter, has a decent shoulder and less traffic and that traffic is largely comprised of trucks. We find trucks give us lots of room whereas the guys towing boats on their way to their cottages are scary and come too close. The thing that I find daunting is that Ontario is so big. And the highway we’ll be taking is remote and wild and very long.
Other notable occupancies: we are now on eastern standard time and all streams from here on in empty into the Atlantic Ocean whereas all streams west of here empty into the Artic Oceam. 
You can’t bike with trepidation, wondering what is behind every turn. You have to do it with intention and go full out. Otherwise you’ll never get anywhere. As we persevere eastward I have to let go of my fears. Still, I continually scan the horizon. Is that shape over there black or just a dark green? Does it move? Today we saw a large turtle, about the size of a dinner plate trying to cross the road. 
Willy picked up and pointed it towards the pond. We also saw the body of a large female Moose off to side. There were large vultures feasting on the corpse who flew off reluctantly when we rode by. The body looked mostly intact but every bit of flesh had been stripped from its head! 
There was an odour of decaying flesh that we did not initially smell but we moved on quickly when we did! The wild flowers are spectacular including beautiful lupins, a flower I associate with the east coast. Rebecca picked some to put on the table.
Rebecca made us another hearty, tasty meal of pasta with a meat sauce, heavy on the vegetables. Every night she brings out German chocolate and it can’t be beat! We are eating everything offered. Soon we’ll be back to basics. Boo-hoo! We have enjoyed their company immensely. I shouldn’t put that in the past tense; we have until a Tuesday afternoon with them.
Very tired. We are parked near the highway and will fall asleep to the tune of traffic and the relentless pounding rain.
Goodnight.
Wendingourway:Across Canada by Bike 2017 