9/18/12 Marathon to White River, ON

We had big plans to leave the Travel Lodge early because rain was in the forecast but first we decided to make lodging arrangements for the next two nights.  We had no idea lodging would fill up like it does.  Every night every town seems full and this is after Labor Day.  It must be packed during the summer.  There aren't any big chain hotels like the US has.  In fact, lots of these places, hotel, gas stations, restaurants don't want you to use their restrooms unless you're a customer.  The lady at the front desk was very helpful and made several phone calls for us.  We made reservations at Paws Cabins in White River and High Falls Cabins(Dave and Kristina's recommendation) in Wawa.  At least we're set for now.

The weather started out cold but sunny, so far, so good.  As the day went on, the rain and wind appeared.  What would the trip be without our dreaded wind?  The road was much flatter today, a welcome change.  About half way, 28 miles or so, we pulled over at Gloria's motel to get off the road and eat our PBJ.  The owner came out to chat with us, told us he's booked solid because it's half way between Toronto and Winnipeg.  The truckers have to stop after 12 hours of driving.  The other guests are the various contractors getting things ready for the mines and hunters.  Bear hunting is a big thing up here.  Like many of the hotels, he has a restaurant that people from Marathon, White River and Manitouwadge, to the north, come to.  Food must be okay, we didn't try it.

By the time we got to White River, it was snow, sleet and hail all at once.  Good thing we only had 100 yards or so to go to get to Paws Cabins.  From the outside they don't look like much but the inside was very nice, 2 bedrooms, small but complete kitchen, dining table, TV and updated bathroom.  Peggy, the owner, told us she and her husband are from the Soo but came to White River to work at the lumber mill 20 some years ago.  The kids in town would finish high school and go right to the mills.  When that closed down a while back the kids went off to college and the other employees had to get retrained to work at the mines.  Now many of the men work in the oil sands and are gone for 20 days, then 10 days off, working 12 hour days.  Not much of a life.  She's running these cabins.  After a hot shower and hanging our clothes up to dry inside, we walked "downtown" to the Rivers Cafe for a sandwich.  Fortunately it rained while we were eating then cleared up for the walk back.