Great Cycle Challenge Magical Merlin, ON episode #7

This morning started out cool with little wind and a bit misty around the Hillman Marsh Conservation Area. Beautiful colours to the sunrise sky this morning.

This is the Hillman Marsh Conservation Area beach I would love to come back and visit with Dax!!!

Riding through Wheatley Ontario all the light poles had these commemorative flags on them. Each one honouring the service of a military personal from this small Ontario town. It was interesting to get to read all the names and ranks of each person as I rode slowly down their Main Street. I was emotionally moved by the time I reach the finish.
Thank you for your service!!!

Taking a breakfast break at the Wheatley Community Centre grounds.

I decide to stay on the Great Lakes Trail this morning which proved to be quit the challenge!! I wasn’t aware that there were not going to be any stops to refill water or buy food and that the gravel roads were going to be such a strain on Dax’s running shoes! His runners started to come apart at the soles and even though I had glue with me, they still needed to dry for 24 hours before the repaired runners could be worn again. So into the trailer he went. For the next 4 hours I peddled on heavily graveled roads in the heat with no option but to continue to look for a route that would take me to pavement. Because of the heat, the both of us got dangerously low on water. I had 2 litres left by the time I found my way to the little town of Merlin. The gps said there was a variety store there. I was hoping to get water for both of us. I ended up with blisters on my feet from peddling with Dax in the trailer that day. He didn’t like being in the trailer for almost 4 hours either!!

By the time we hit pavement we were in Merlin. The variety store was closed!! We road on another km or so and found a little hamburger/ice cream stand along the side of the Main Street called The “Flame and Frostbite”. It was open and was doing a brisk business. We were grateful also because there were lots of old trees for shade and tables, chairs and benches to relax on. We were served by the owner, Tab. She was wonderful! She served me up the best homemade hamburger with fries and a soft strawberry ice cream Sunday for desert. She helped fill out water jugs and suggested a safe place to wild camp in the area. She really made us feel at home and well taken cared of after such a long tiring day of travel. I look forward to going back next spring to have another burger and ice cream and to say a big hello! Her little burger/ice cream stand was an oasis in a dry desert that day. Dax and I would have been in some serious trouble water wise if the Flame and Frostbite hadn’t been there. Thanks again Tab!!! You’re the best!!