Port Huron, MI to Cathcart Park Campground, Ontario, Canada 49.3 miles

Bonnie sent us off after a terrific breakfast. We would ride South along the Saint Clair River to Algonac, Michigan where I would take a ferry to Ontario, Canada and Eddie would ride back to His home. The Saint Clair River flows out of Lake Huron towards Lake Erie. It was the most amazing shade of blue. Eddie and I wanted to take a swim in it. We found a nice place called Chrysler Beach. It was right across the river from a Canadian oil refinery but it looked clean and it was a swimming beach.

Eddie and I in front of the Saint Clair River
Swimming in sight of an oil refinery? ✅

When we made it to Algonac, we found an ice cream place, had an ice cream and said our goodbyes. Thanks Eddie for rearranging your work schedule and coming out for a few days of touring.

Eddie getting ready to roll.

The ferry was six bucks for the seven minute ride to Canada. The Canadian border was pretty straight forward. The only thing that they had any concern about was my bear spray. It is illegal in Canada but the border officer seemed like he was familiar with people traveling by bicycle across the border. He led me with the question “Are you going through the Adirondacks?” And when I said yes, he said “Then you will need it. Just make sure if you encounter any law enforcement in Canada, let them know you have it and why.” This reinforced my notion that Canada is a pragmatic country.

The Algonac Ferry to Ontario

The ferry arrives in Canada at Walpole Island, home of the Walpole First Nation Reserve. While I was riding off the reserve there was a man across the road that waved me over to ask a few questions. I thought he was repairing his mailbox but he was actually building a new one from sheet metal. His name was Wilf and he wished me well on my journey.

Along the Saint Clair

I was trying to secure my first international Warmshowers host but no one was available so I ponied up the Canadian dollars to stay in a Township park campground. It was nice but I am always frustrated to pay for a campground that I only spend a few wakeful hours in. Ah well, it was right on the river.

Cathcart Park Campground, Saint Clair Township

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