I first headed to Echo Bay via Garden River First Nation, which was a very pretty and relaxing drive. When I got to Echo Bay I saw a monument I decided to explore:
Canada's biggest loonie! The late Robert-Ralph Carmichael, a resident of the municipality, was the designer of Canada's famous coin.
From there I crossed the highway to a place called Leeburn. I had no idea what might be there, but there was a road sign pointing the way, so I steered in that direction to see what I'd find.
There wasn't much there, to be honest. I did see a building that looked like a church, but I suspect it is now a private residence. Please correct me if I'm wrong!
As I continued on my way towards Bruce Mines I came across a sign pointing to a place called Dunn's Valley. I figured what the heck, let's see what's at the end of that road. It turns out there wasn't much more than a few houses, some of which looked nearly abandoned. But you have to love the sense of humour of the people there.
This road sign was at the corner of a makeshift intersection called "Moose and Goose". Made me smile.
I then turned the car around the headed back to Bruce Mines. Along the way I passed through Rydal Bank.
I wasn't expecting much, but to my delight I discovered a small hamlet whose people clearly had great pride. There was a park with a historical plaque, and an old church that the people were maintaining as part of their heritage. Amazing work.
After pausing in the park and listening to the water rushing through the dam, I got back in my car. I then got to Bruce Station, just north of Bruce Mines.
This got me back on highway 17 headed east. My plan was to continue straight home, but when I got to Thessalon my wanderlust took over again, so I turned north on the road to Chapleau to see what I might find.
My first stop was in Little Rapids, which doesn't even have one of those blue signs but which does have an outdoor heritage museum I decided to check out.
As you can see from the sign the museum was normally only open in the summer, but to my good fortune the woman who runs the place was present and gave me the grand tour. Many thanks to Mary Anne MacDonald for her kind hospitality!
I kept going north and made it to the next community, known as Wharncliffe:
After passing through I turned right on highway 554, thinking to loop back to Iron Bridge (and discovering who knew what along the way).
To my surprise, in the middle of the road with hardly any homes around, I came across a church!
Just one more proof that there is a lot of power in just showing up. I love never knowing what I might find!
Once I got to Iron Bridge I turned east on highway 17 once again, heading back to Sudbury. The weather stayed warm and beautiful the whole way home. It was a good day.
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