Today I woke to more snow, a gray windy day. I gathered my bearings and started on my way. The broken hard drive securely boxed up for the ride home, a new one ready to hold what the remaining trip holds. I left Parry Sound and drove for awhile, the gray started to break in between snow flurries along the way. I was on the 69 Highway until I needed a change of scenery. I started flipping a coin for directional advice. I’ve done this many times on this trip, leaving my day up the toss of a coin. All my options open except for backtracking.
As I started to explore the side roads around the shores of Georgian Bay photographic opportunities started to unveil themselves to me once again. I shot old Pilings sticking out of the ice in Byng Inlet, (where I also fell on my ass on the ice). I shot an old camperized school bus I found on a construction road, I shot an abandoned Truck Stop on the 69, I shot an old yellow work truck that I had seen on my way through in November. I tossed the coin a few more times during the day, found myself driving on a road that was only being used by snowmobiles this time of year which lead me to the ice covered Cutter lake. After that I found an old house as the sun started descending and then an awesome sunset from a bridge just outside of Massey Ontario.
Tonight I rest outside of Massey in Walford, my heart full and my mind at ease. Over 6 gigs of photos taken today. I am back.
Parry Sound Ice Cubes
Category: Cross Canadian Road Trip 2009-2010
Tags: Byng Inlet, coin toss, Cutter lake, flurries, Georgian Bay, gray, Highway 69, Massey, ontario, Parry Sound, snow, sun, Walford Leave a Comment
I spent the most of the morning finding and going to some computer shops in Barrie. Gathering opinions on what my options are with my broken hard drive. The consensus seems to be that the files may be recoverable but that it’s like going to cost a good chunk of change. It seems the arm that holds the heads the read and write to the platter (disc) is damaged from the drop. The disc itself may or may not be damaged but either way it’s got to be taken apart to be determined. So I’ve decided to wait until I get back to Vancouver where I’ll find a data recovery specialist to see what they can do. Besides, by the sounds of it I’ll have to save up some money to cover the costs anyway.
My hardest job today was to find peace with the uncertainty of the status of my first 95 days worth or travel, work and photos. I am trying to remain positive that it will all work out while I continue on.
I drove through the sunny day today looking for new shots. But as some days have an abundance of shots but no good light, today was the opposite. I simply didn’t really see much that inspired me to stop at least until I rolled into Parry Sound. As I pulled in the sun was setting, I found a shoreline and saw some good shots. The brilliant day was not a complete loss.
Another thing I want to mention is that some of my financial stress that was starting to build up has taken a turn. Between friends and family I now have the assurance that I can make my way home and still have the freedom to wander a bit. My heart is full and my remaining days will be full of opportunities. I can feel this.
Goose Love
Category: Cross Canadian Road Trip 2009-2010
Tags: Barrie, challenges, computers, damaged, data, finances, Friends, hard drives, money, ontario, Parry Sound, positivity, recovery, stress, sunny, sunset Leave a Comment
Okay not really relaxed. I went through a few photos from the first couple of days of my trip. I added more to the car gallery and a few more to the others. After monopolizing a table in the tiny Parry Sound Starbucks for a few hours I passed on laundry and got out of town while it was still light. Venturing East I stumbled onto a nice little town called Rosseau. Because it was getting dark I pulled over for the night, dialed up a movie on the laptop and chilled. A rocking Saturday night for me.
While I had the truck running for a bit a little orange fox walked right through the beams of the running lights like I wasn’t even there. Pretty neat.
So no shots taken today but still a good day. Was inspiring to go through some of the ones I’ve taken and remind myself what I’ve actually captured.
Today was a slim day for shots, sort of. I had less stops but when I did pull over the subject matter and light was pretty damn good. I found an old Chevrolet Stylemaster from the 30′s that looked like it had belonged to Bonnie and Clyde, rusting peacefully in waist high weeds and straw. It even had bullet holes in the door.
As well as some more farm houses and some Ontario lakeside shots as I looped up and around Elliot Lake. Which is quite a nice little city. It was larger than I expected and nicer than a lot of Ontario towns. So nice that the ladies at the Tim Hortons gave me a $10 dollar Tim card because the wraps I ordered took awhile. I wasn’t in a hurry but it was a nice gesture and very welcomed.
Then of course, as I passed through Sudbury I had to stop for the “tourist geek” shot of the day at the infamous huge nickle.
I soon had this tied to the roof of my truck for gas money. Hey, finders keepers!!
Tonight I’m in Parry Sound. I’m considering a relaxing day of Laundry, coffee and working on some photos if I can while I connect with people I know in Toronto. Hopefully to hang out there for a couple of days. We’ll see.
Category: Highlights
Tags: big, Bonnie and Clyde, Chevrolet, coffee, Elliot Lake, farms, gas, geek, lakes, large, Nickle, ontario, Parry Sound, Stylemaster, Sudbury, Tim Card, Tim Hortons, tourist Leave a Comment
