Northern Lights 2024 - Part 2
(This is part of a series. Click Part 1 to begin at the start)
The adventure continued towards my Mom's place. It was a decent drive, but it went by quickly enough. The beautiful landscape, and busy rural roadways were nostalgic for me, as they were areas I frequently drove in the past. With my gas tank running on ghost farts, we pulled into my Mom's place.
It was great to see my Mom and Step-Dad, and they loved seeing their grandson too. My mom had found a box of my old toys and had them ready in the living room for my son! All sorts of old fisher-price stuff, which was still in decent condition. Within minutes the toys were strewen about the room and he was having fun exploring and showing his new discoveries to everyone in the room.
We had planned to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving on this day, and a Thanksgiving dinner had been prepared. It was a lovely meal and there were many laughs and good conversation, while Grandma had a chance to feed her Grandson. It was nice to stay in a cozy place that night, as opposed to a Hotel.
We had a lot of laughs and great conversation. My Step-Dad is an amazing guy and him and I seem to have a lot in common regarding our interest in industry and other manly things. My Mom also always brings a smile to my face. And watching them both with their grandson is always an amazing treat. Always fun things going on there and a very light hearted and fun atmosphere.
The next morning, my Step-Dad had a great time taking his Grandson out for a ride on the tractor. They both loved it!
We then headed out to continue our journey. After fueling up nearby we hit the road. The journey took us up along Hwy 400 / 69 through some amazing scenery. Stopping in Parry Sound for a quick bite at Harvey's. It was Whisperin's first time at a Harvey's and I think she enjoyed it. We then continued onward to French River, when I planned to stop at to view the unique feature. Back in 2006 I remember stopping there during a road trip with my friend Jeff. It was a brand new bridge back then. Now, 18 years later, a Visitors Center was built beside the bridge.
Along the pathway leading to the bridge we met a Master Stonelayer. It was a decent enough day, and we echanged greetings regarding the weather. He was working away but gladly stopped to chat. I could sense a spring in his step. A lot of energy. Well, this 44 year old stonelayer began to tell his story. He had been laying stone for 30 years, and he went into detail about the current path they were working on and how the stones had to be laid in a specific way due to the slope and expansion when the water freezes and such. Very smart guy. He loves his trade and considers it an art form.
But he said that earlier this year in June he almost had to quit for good. You see, he has Multiple Sclerosis, and his symptoms were so bad he could barely walk or move back in June. I was in shock, "Really?" I exclaimed. Yes, but he found something that turned his whole life around. Shilajit! He said all he needed to take was a drop the size of a grain of rice in a drink every day, and it gave his body the minerals it needed. His body rejuvinated it's self so well that he stopped needign to take the Multiple Sclerosis medications he was on. And here he is, laying stone, swinging a hammer, and putting in a full days work. Not enough can be said to describe how remarkable that is. It is like seeing a miracle.
He surmised that it was likely the lack of minerals in the processed food that we are given, in addition to his profession with handling stones every day and how that wicks the minerals from his skin. It was quite a profound conversation and one which was unprovoked. He sure has heck isn't making money from Shilajit, nor is anyone asking him to talk about it. That is just one person who is very happy that the alternative mineral suppliment turned his life around and allowed him to keep doing what he loves to do.
Moving onwards from that, we continued on the way up to Sudbury. Whisperin' slept a little bit, but there were so many amazing views that it became routine to see after a while.
I was telling Whisperin' how when I used to travel up this way I would sometimes have to wait in traffic while they worked to build the divided highway that exists today. They would have to blast the rock regularly to build this highway.
The Canadian Shield is one of the oldest exposed Mountain Ranges on Earth, and these small hills are what remains of a mountain range that once soared as high as the Himalayan Mountains.
We made our way Northward towards Sudbury, Ontario where we will continue in Part 3.