72 Test Trip Aug 27-09 continued

After our meal, we headed to London South and went to the Pond Mills conservation area. Here, we were able to get some nice pics. Stretch our legs and let the dogs run once we were deeper in the forest. Pond Mills entrance is right with the Tourist Information Bldg and also beside the Fire Training buildings. We also made use of gas stations and the tourist information centre to wash up and use the bathrooms. We took turns staying outside with the dogs.


I also forgot to mention after research, we found that there weren't any rest areas close by to sleep at except the gas station types like at the Flying J on London's outskirts off the 401 and the other pull in rest areas that you see along the other non free-way hwys do not allow over nights. But we did find that you can park as long as you need to at the carpool spots along the 401. So we decided to utilize that option. We decided that for our first night, we would stay at the carpool area at the Longwoods exit at the 402. This picture is from Google Earth. You can see that their image is from 2006 so now there is a little more greenery but basically it is still the same. We parked int the farthest corner.

We had these mini-battery operated lanterns that we hung from the van travelling hooks. They gave more than enough light. We soon discovered that Shane was scared to death that we might be ambushed and that it was also very, very squishy with both dogs. Heidi kept sprawling out full length on top of Shane. So I slept so, so but Shane was feeling it in the morning.