Today we drive the Trans-Canada Highway, following rivers, from North Bay to Pembroke, Ontario

0915  57,877  73°  Leave North Bay
Boondockers Welcome host Hollywood on the Lake was a great spot where we made new friends.

0953  57,883  73°F  

Stopped at Veteran’s Park 

Filled our water jugs.

The Ontario Northland Railway has a remanufacturing and repair facility just across the tracks from the park. Learned later that they run the Polar Bear Express passenger train from Cochrane to James Bay with an option to take autos on the train.

1052  57,923  74°F  Mattawa, ON

 

The town started as an outpost for the fur trade, later becoming a significant timber center.

Veteran’s Park had some very large wooden sculptures. 

Finished our town tour at their marina.

There were rapids here, but dams on the river have eliminated them.

Lv 1130

1200  57,945  76°F  Park on Ottawa River

There are lots of scenic spots like this, just off the highway.

1217  57,951  77°F  Gibson Lake

Stopped for a picnic lunch. 

Not a bad view out the window of our Lexor. We did eat lunch inside as the street name represented the local residents: Mosquito Trail.  

Lv. 1258

Stopped for gas, then visited the Riverfront Park.

Enjoyed a short detour crossing the Ottawa River to Spence Island, just over the border into Quebec.

Pembroke, Ontario
1501  58,027  Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch

It’s a big place with a field full of parking. There are barnyard animals, a corn maze, acres of blueberry fields, and even live music.

We bought fresh berries and blueberry scones.

We didn’t take the time to go out berry picking, but those that did enjoyed a ride in a covered wagon pulled by a farm tractor.

1607  58,038  82°F  Pembroke Marina and Park

We didn’t use this street! That bridge is  only 8′ 10″ and we need at least 9′ 5″.

Found another parking lot and enjoyed walking around the marina area.

Downtown Pembroke has some interesting craft and sweet shops.

Brick and stone dominates the downtown architecture.

Murals and plants add color to the streetscape.

Pembroke City Park

Sculptures and artifacts along the shoreline were fun to see. This long log was part of a log boom used to float timber down the river.

Upon closer inspection, the log had a personality.

When big timber ran out, smaller logs were used to manufacture matchsticks in a joint venture between Canada Splint and Eddy Match.

Guideboats like the one on this pedestal were used by fur traders to navigate the river. Shoal draft allowed them to make it through many of the river rapids.

Pembroke has a pretty boardwalk along the breakwater protecting their marina.

1705  58,040  82°F  Riverside Park Tent and Trailer Campground

This City Park has campsites in a field between a ballpark, playground, and the lake.  

Each site has a fire ring and picnic table.

A bike trail connects to the campground and leads west all the way to the blueberry farm.

Bath houses were clean and well maintained,

with individual shower rooms.

Goodnight from Pembroke

Today’s Route

North Bay to Pembroke, Ontario

132 Miles