Days 38 and 39: Kingston to Perth, then Rest Day at Perth

Two days ago in Kingston, I went with Guy to the Kingston Brewing Company to meet some of Guy’s running friends. I had a good time chatting with them. One person suggested that I should look into a freight ship to get across the Atlantic Ocean from Canada to Europe. I’ll have to research more about that.

The rain poured down when we were leaving the pub. Guy and I did some grocery shopping before coming back home.

The next morning, Guy made some excellent oatmeal with peanut butter and fruits. I didn’t know peanut butter goes well with oatmeal. The things I learned while traveling.

Guy rode with me for about five miles out of Kingston and guided me on a bike trail before we connected to Montreal Street. We said our goodbyes at an intersection and I continued to follow the Trans Canada Trail.

I thought I’d be riding on the Rideau Canal Trail, but the route was on the road with the cars the entire time. I guess this section of the Trans Canada Trail isn’t the same as the Rideau Canal Trail.

I passed by some farmlands before I arrived at the town of Elgin. Nothing was open in town except for a Gordanier Freshmart grocery store. I had ran out of beef jerky, but they are more expensive in Canada for some reason so I bought some Canadian candy bars instead. They tasted really good. My favorites are Coffee Crisp and Mr. Big.

I rode for about ten more miles to the only eatery in Crosby called Crosby Cookhouse for lunch. I had a very sloppy Crosby special pulled pork sandwich. It tasted good, but I had to eat some of it with a fork. Anyway, it gave me the much needed fuel for the rest of the day.

Around 2 PM, I arrived at my Warmshowers host’s house that’s about ten miles southwest of Perth. The place is so rural that the road is actually gravel with very few cars. I had ridden about 61 miles that day.

First, I was greeted by a dog who is very friendly and gentle, like many dogs I’ve met on this journey. Then the owner came out. His name is Chris and he loves living in his house because there is a river in his backyard.

Chris offered me a gin that’s made in the Canadian arctic. Normally, I don’t drink alcohol, but my curiosity got the best of me and I had to try this gin. It tasted really good.

As Chris and I sat on the back porch, we watched the gentle flow of the river and chatted a bit. I learned that Chris had worked in the federal government before he became an entrepreneur. Chris then made some delicious shepherd’s pie and asparagus for dinner. He asked me if I can stay another day to help him with yard work because the kid who was supposed to help him had bailed out on him two days ago. I had to check with my Warmshowers host in Ottawa to make sure that’s ok with her since I’ll be arriving a day later. In the end, I was able to stay another day here at Chris’s house.

This morning, Chris and I went grocery shopping in Perth. After breakfast, I weed-whacked some plants by the driveway and in the front yard of the house. I felt like a real working man doing real labor, rather than sitting behind a computer doing IT work. It was a good workout.

To pass the time, I read some blog posts on CyclingAbout.com and relaxed a bit before Chris’s friends, Victor and Aili, came over.

Victor is a professor who specializes in borders between countries. He has been to China at least seven times! His wife, Aili, is an award-winning acrylic artist. Her website is ailikurtis.fineartstudioonline.com. The four of us went to dinner at Ecotay, a nearby pizza restaurant that’s situated on a farm. We had a great time talking and enjoyed our pizzas.

After Chris and I came back home, Chris let me try his homemade calvados, a liquor that he made with Victor using apples. It tasted very good. I guess I’m starting to loosen up on my teetotalism.

It’s now about 8:30 PM and there’s still light out. The sunset is 8:52 PM. I plan on going to bed soon. Tomorrow, I’ll ride to Ottawa.

Guy and I

Why is the shoulder gravel and not asphalt?

Cowspotting

Reached Rideau Lake

The different Canadian candy bars

Lunch at Crosby Cookhouse

Beautiful river

Passing by many farmfields

Gin from the arctic

The river behind Chris's house

Morning duty: feed the chickens

More Canadian snacks

Weed whacking!

A delicious pasta with shrimp dish made by Chris.

Left to right: Victor, Aili, and Chris