Randomness

Calabogie
Ontario, Canada

I have not been writing. I have not been writing because I have been immersed in the world of Hogwarts, re-reading all the Harry Potter novels in anticipation of the release of Year 7. However, I have left Harry in the midst of his battle of wills with Professor Umbridge in Year 5 to drive with J to Calabogie, Ontario for a week in the wilderness.

We left Pittsburgh early on Sunday morning, driving through a fog so thick the buildings downtown completely disappeared into the mist. It took several hours of driving before the fog burned off enough to see the lights of cars instead of vague outlines. As we drove north the signs of spring faded away and we found ourselves regressing back into winter, with overcast skies and snow on the ground.

Our drive was punctuated by sheer randomness, a semi-truck carrying a toll both north, the sight of a Canadian goose perched on the ledge of a five story building, a second goose staring up at the first from the ground. The most random moment came at the border, shortly after crossing the St. Lawrence River, when the guard asked us if we intended to leave anything in the country. Both J and myself were puzzled by this question and it took us several moments to formulate an answer (“No”) that was not snarky.

The St. Lawrence River is one of the most beautiful, dotted with islands tiny and large, stretching for miles in both directions, leaving an impression of green among the greys and browns of the winter landscape. As we drove we could see glimpses of houses on some of the islands and wondered aloud how the residents were able to access their homes in the winter.

Our cellular phones do not work this far north, so we turned them off without guilt. The local stores close early on Sunday, leaving us unable to purchase groceries as originally planned. Our choice of restaurant had one server working, an older woman who entertained us with stories of accidental deaths, drunk driving arrests and her experiences serving intoxicated patrons. She gave us a friendly warning when we left to watch out for the police at night.

The condo is clean, cozy and overlooks the still frozen lake.

This afternoon J and I drove to Perth, Ontario between thunderstorms for a brief walk around the town. Named Ontario's Prettiest City, the downtown is filled with old stone buildings, including a mill.