I wanted to write this forward post in the case of this trip, because it feels like I've been stacking up to it for the last three to five years. It has been a rough couple of years, and for me a rough couple of months as well. I actually took two weeks, and it feels like that was the correct decision. The first week was preparation, and the second week for the trip. Now, on Sunday the day before I leave we have an unprecedented amount of smoke rolling in from various wild fires across Ontario and Quebec. I spent much of this morning packing, and making final adjustments to the car, and the trailer. All while having this strange 'dusk' lighting and the smell of smoke and the odd whif of burning plastics in the air. It is offputting and seems to be messing with my natural understanding of the time of day. For instance, there is a prevalent haze that can be seen throughout the area, and it is detectable with less than fifty meters. The overall lighting is 'bright' like daylight, but the sun is being diffused, and it is especially apparent as you walk through the forest. The shadows appear to be well lit, but where the sun shines directly is blaze orange. like someone spilled a bucket of bright orange paint across the roads, buildings, et-cetera. Like a bright orange sunrise, yet it is midday. that mixed with a minor headache and general allergies, puts me ill at ease, and also gives me a bit of a stomach twist now and then. I have been watching the satelite photos, and forcasts.. the satelites can't seem to pick up the smoke so we have another odd issue, where the sky is light grey in colour like a fully overcast day, but it is bright outside, and the odd cloud can be seen before it like a bright blue sunny day, but it is not. It is somewhat 'upside down' and hard to describe. Thankfully, it appears to be clearing up a bit, but it will be some time before it clears completely. I am hopeful this does not overshadow my visit to lake superior, as bright blue skies are photogenic, grey dreary skies are generally not. There might be some pretty nice sunrises and sunsets though.