Kenora to Dryden

'There's a guy handing out pizzas.'

read Part 1 of this series here: Fireworks & Applause
previous installment: Pulling the World Together

Between Kenora and Dryden, Ontario; 26 January 2022. Screen capture from a video taken by Sally.

As the Freedom Convoy approaches Dryden, Ontario Ted is on the phone talking to a buddy back home:

It’s awesome, man. You wouldn’t stinkin’ believe it. It’s overwhelming. The tears are running down your cheek…there’s a 50-foot reefer trailer. He just jumped on board yesterday, three-quarters full of food…It’s a blast, man. It’s a blast.

The refrigerated ‘reefer’ is a prized addition to the convoy. In summer, it keeps perishables cool. In winter it insulates, preventing their donated hot dog buns from turning into inedible blocks of ice.

Between Kenora and Dryden, Ontario; 26 January 2022. Screen capture from a video taken by Sally.

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Between Kenora and Dryden, Ontario, 26 January 2022. Screen capture from a video taken by Sally.

In the passenger seat, Sally murmurs, “It’s a gloomy sky day. Greyish sky.”

Ted chimes in, “But it’s a bright day in Canada.”

Someone up ahead says over the trucker radio, “Smokey on the left.” It isn’t just in movies that police cars are referred to in this manner. What Sally sees on the left is a deer. She turns her camera in that direction, but doesn’t catch it.

“Big show of support coming up on the right, guys. Big show of support…We got a red light here. Red light coming up, guys. Red light.”

Entering Dryden, 26 January 2022. Screen capture from a video taken by Sally.

The going is slow, and this 90-minute leg of the journey takes almost twice as long. But Dryden - population 8,000 - is out to welcome them. Messages have been written in the snow with neon spray paint. There are Canadian flags, and homemade signs, and wide smiles. Over the radio the chatter is lighthearted:

Stopped at this red light, there’s a guy handing out pizzas…

…All these OPP are waving, we’re all good.

It’s after 11 am when Ted pulls into the service station and Sally gets her first cup of coffee.

next installment: Generosity Beyond Measure in Thunder Bay