Dryden, Ontario to Brandon, MANITOBA (577 km today leaving 1310 km to go)

Wet roads with light rain

Heavy rain caused a delayed start this morning so we don't hit the road until 10 am. We've come too far to start taking chances. 

Canadian Shield

Leaving Ontario is bittersweet:) Once to Kenora and the Lake of the Woods area, the topography gives us a brief reminder of Parry Sound on Georgian Bay. There are nothing but fond memories of the beauty of Ontario. 

Welcome to Manitoba - kind of

Crossing the border into Manitoba, the camera is ready for a 'Welcome to Manitoba' sign but it never appears. Come to think of it the same thing happened last July when heading into Manitoba from Saskatchewan..no welcome sign. 

Longitudinal Centre of Canada

Just before Winnipeg, we pass the 'Longitudinal Centre of Canada' (96 degrees 48 minutes 35 seconds). We had fun stopping here July of 2025 as we headed east, but for today we salute on our way driving west. 

For clarity, we questioned how can this be the longitudinal centre of Canada when we have just driven across Canada and we physically know Newfoundland is much farther east from here than BC is west. AI clarifies BC is not Canada's westernmost point - the Yukon is. That clears things up :)

Sunflower field east of Winnipeg

Within a couple hours of leaving Ontario, the thick trees are gone and we are into trees dispersed with crops and fields of flat lands.