Personally, I can think of no better way to complete a 15-hour drive than the few kilometers along the 202 from Franklin to Rockburn as the sun sets on a perfect day.
The magnificent maple woods, bound together by fragile tubing, waiting for another spring. Blair’s trucking, Blair Farms, Franklin School, Stevenson’s orchards, swathed in gossamer nets to keep out every kind of pest and hopefully hail. Waller’s farms with so many memories of old, and Rockburn Church, golden in the late sunlight. And maybe go an extra mile or two to dip my fingers in the pond at Arthur’s where so many afternoons were spent swimming in summer or playing hockey in winter. Nostalgia pulls at my heart.
I thought maybe it was just me, but when a work mate said she was driving to Ontario with her aging mother and hated the thought of going through Montreal. I suggested taking an extra few hours and dropping south at Drummondville to reach the Highway 202 and follow it through to Valleyfield. Maybe add three hours in the diversion. She took two days. They loved it.
I have lived and travelled in many spectacular places around the world including now in my retirement. I thank my many relatives and friends who welcomed us and reminded me of the fantastic place I will always call home.
Jim Currie
Currently a Truro, Nova Scotia, resident