Aug 9, 2019.
Today was a travel day, as we wanted to be in Stratford in the late afternoon. Brian and Laurel had offered to show us their town and we were looking forward to that. We got up early so that we could take advantage of seeing as much as we could of this area as we drove south.
We had learned that the world’s largest nuclear power generating plant, Bruce Power, is just down the road from our campground so we drove in to see it. They provide free tours of the plant during July an August. This plant is enormous and produces 30% of Ontario’s electricity. It employs over 5000 employees directly. Eight nuclear reactor generating plants are housed in the facility. Bruce Power also produces 40% of the world’s Cobalt 60, an isotope that is used in the medical field for treating cancer as well as sterilizing medical equipment. After signing up for the tour, we waited in the visitor center and browsed through the displays and learned more about the process of nuclear electricity generation, as well as about the care and disposal of nuclear waste. A small amphitheater just off to the side of the lobby provides a short video of the processes.
It was time to climb onto the bus for the tour. There were about 25 of us visitors. Before we can go onto the bus we have to produce government identification, obviously to do a government check on us, no cameras or cell phones are allowed on the bus and a security guard travels on the bus with us. Security is a major issue here, as Bruce Power employees it own police/security personnel who are all trained and armed. The bus has to pass through checkpoints and the fences around the 23000 acre facility are topped with coils of razor wire.
Our tour guide provided a continuous narration to us as the bus wound its way through the many roads and lanes on the property. He showed us the buildings that housed the various generating plants as well as the ancillary support buildings. Lake Huron is the water supply to the plant and the water enters and leaves the plant through a small canal system. The tour was very informative and provided in-depth information about the subject of another source of alternate power. Ironically, across the fence at the entrance to the plant is a large wind turbine generator. We left with a better understanding about nuclear hydro generation.
Our next stop was the town of Kincardine, another beautiful coastal town, almost a twin to Port Elgin. We pulled into the main beach downtown and saw the many folks who were swimming in the surf and enjoying the sun. I felt like I wanted a swim and jumped into my bathing suit. Debbie wasn’t too keen to go into the high waves, but joined me on the beach. The waves were rolling in and it was a blast running into them and having them crash onto you. I felt like a kid again! We then walked the shoreline for about an hour and then it was time to head south toward Stratford.
We had lost track of time so we phoned ahead to Brian to tell him when to expect us. Debbie dialed Miss Taken to take us to Stratford on the secondary roads. The drive was fantastic, meandering along county roads, through rich farmland. The farms grow a wide variety of crops and the farms appeared prosperous.
We finally arrived at Brian and Laurel’s home at 6:15pm. Brian welcomed us in, as Laurel was still at her hairdresser and wasn’t expected home for another hour. Brian gave us a tour of their beautiful home and offered us a drink. We decided to eat supper without Laurel and she breezed in shortly after we began. Laurel admitted that she had “creeped” us on the Internet. She had told her co-workers that they had let perfect strangers into her home! She called us fugitives, which was shortened to “fuggees”! As the night wore on that became funnier. We sat in the living room and talked and told stories until we were all tired and ready for bed. Of course we slept in our Armadillo on the driveway, even after their insistance that we sleep in their guest room. We have become so accustomed to sleeping in our trailer, that it just makes it easier on us. We do appreciate using their showers!! It had been a long day.
Quilting in a Kayak 