US rte 2, it turns out, is known for its high deer population. Throughout the night, I will see what seem like hundreds of deer lingering or sauntering in close proximity to the road. There are many more that I choose not to see because I’m focusing on the road.

As I ride over a crest with high beams on, I faintly discern some low-lying debris. In the headlight reflection, it looks like a pale pink/white colour. I'm thinking that this is probably a dead racoon splattered on the road surface.

An instant later, I make out a dark shape. It is an adult deer lying dead in the middle of the lane. I take a close look as I ride past, my tires clearing its snout by a couple of feet. The dark brown colour was all but invisible in this rain until I was almost on it. I remind myself to be alert.

By the time I stop again for gas, the temperature has dropped a little. It is still raining quite hard with poor visibility. As opposed to other gas stations that I have visited tonight, this one is teeming with activity. There are many teenagers on the lot and there is much coming and going. It is now close to 2am and this may have something to do with it. They are probably in the heat of Saturday night on the town.

I'm feeling a little tired now and the coolness has worked its way in a little. As I go in to pay, I stop by the hot chocolate/cappuccino machine and select a mix of two of the three flavours they have on tab. This is just what the doctor ordered.

They also have an assortment of freshly baked tollhouse cookies. It's difficult to resist as an accompaniment to my hot beverage and so I indulge. As I stand there soaking wet and slowly sipping, I take in the activity that is happening around me.

The attendant's name is Julie. I know this because friends of hers come in and out like it's a meeting place of sorts. They each come in, if for a few moments, and then they're out again. They're always asking Julie this and Julie that. She seems to be the one that cares and provides for them, a real sweetie.

I've been on the road for close to six hours since leaving Duluth but have not bothered to look at maps because of the rain. Still, I feel that my prize must be close at hand. It is with this expectation that I ask Julie how far I have left to get to the Soo. She casually replies about 4.5 to 5 hrs.

I almost choke on my hot chocolate! I’m feeling a little expansive and so, with a sweeping gesture of my arms, I blurt out, "Surely you jest!" She giggles as she replies that she is not kidding.

Incredulous, I stammer, "How can that be?" She replies that the Soo is 250 miles away and that in this weather that means at least 4.5 hrs, but more like 5. I protest that it's impossible! At this point, Julie pulls out a map and spreads it on the counter. Looking at the map, I realise that I should have gotten off rte 2 a while back. While it had originally tracked due east, it is now tracking southeast, adding to the mileage.

Bruno
Montreal, Canada