Dryden ON to Foam Lake MB

Lots of road between these two places. 

Just west of Dryden we stopped at a wool ranch, Egli's Farm . Nice store, with really ni$e stuff, mostly Canadian made and woolen at least in part:

Once we left the wool shop, we continued on the quite pleasant drive through Ontario to Manitoba. There's still no cell service (at least from our Koodo/Telus phones) in the White River area. However we could have camped overnight for free at the Tourist Info place there. 

Still in Ontario, we met about 20 of what looked like cross-Canada cyclists, strung out over a few miles. Lightly loaded with no packs, so must have had a support vehicle involved. All were well-tanned.

We passed Inwood Park, on past Thunder Bay on Hwy 17. On our first trip west in 1974, this was a Provincial Park. Facilites were limited, they had only pit toilets and they were out of order!! Today it's a private park that looked quite nice from the road.

For the initial few kms west from the Manitoba border, the terrain is quite bleak all of a sudden. Good roads though, and once past Winnipeg things improved. 

We made an early camp this afternoon for the night, a little west/north from Winnipeg, off the TCH (Trans Canada Highway) near Portage La Prairie. It was a nicely shaded site in Miller's Camping Resort, very nice as it got quite warm in the sun. Only about 27C, but felt hotter than that.

In the morning we were soon turning on to TCH 16 (Yellowhead route), heading northwest. 

Friendly roadside stop on TCH 16

The little park by the happy face

Sunflowers, with new power lines behind

 In Neepawa we had a nice break at a Bird Sanctuary there, kind of a town park:

Emu in eating position

Head butting practice- the peacock didn't flinch

Some pelicans in the distance

For a late breakfast we picnicked in the bison viewing area in Minnedosa:

A beautiful spot on a beautiful day. We watched an Osprey hunting up and down the river hidden by those trees near the bison.

All along Hwy 16 there are sloughs (little ponds) just teeming with bird life. Everything around here is green right now.

Another early stop - we camped for the night at Foam Lake, a little campground right behind the Foam Lake tourist center.