Day 3: Lake Superior to Thunder Bay

July 8:  I am in love with the north shore of Lake Superior.
We were warned that the long drive from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay was a lot the same, but what a sameness!  Rough red rock rising majestically from the roadside -- including evidence of recent damaging rockslides -- constantly varied landscape, as islands on Lake Superior appear and hills roller coaster up and down.  To turn a corner in the road to a landscape of vivid blue lake as far as the eye can see, broken up by evergreen-covered islands of different sizes, some lounging in mist.  It was absolutely breathtaking.  We couldn’t have had a lovelier drive.
Stopped at a roadside set of shops about a hour out of the Soo with some lovely carving; at a scenic lookout with nice views of the lake; at Lake Superior Provincial Park office at Agawa Bay; and at Old Woman’s Bay, again to enjoy the view.  Lunch was a picnic in the car away from spattering rain and bugs.
We left in 13 degrees and brilliant sunshine and it stayed well below 20 degrees pretty much all day, only dipping to 20 and 21 briefly.  Felt odd in July.  And Lyndsey got a period of driving rain again.  She must live right.
If I had gotten a speeding ticket on today’s drive, I would have absolutely deserved it.  It is virtually impossible to do the legislated 90 km/hour when long ribbons of empty road stretch out before you and there is nary a car to impede your progress.  I confess we did start to find it long as we finally approached Thunder Bay but we made our choice, knowing it would be a long drive -- but probably our last really long one for quite a while.  We were in the car for ten hours today.  I thought we were tired yesterday….!  Tonight’s dinner was courtesy of the neighbourhood Metro.  Who feels like going to a restaurant?!

Night’s Inn Motel.  Ultra sketchy!  But a nice bathroom!


Terry Fox monument, Thunder Bay

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 22: Beach day!

Image
July 27:  This morning we drove up for some swimming and sunbathing at Grand Beach on Lake Winnipeg -- the sixth largest lake in Canada.  CBC tells us it’s been called one of Canada’s best beaches, with its 3 km of fine white sand a remnant (along with the lake) of a prehistoric glacial lake.  It was quiet when we arrived and only families came.  I didn’t take any pictures because it was calm blue lake under a brilliant blue sky, so not very interesting photographically; but we thoroughly enjoyed the break (even if Lyndsey did miss a couple areas with the sunscreen). We’re back in Ontario now; seems weird to have all the license plates look familiar.  We were enjoying the change.  Kenora hotels were surprisingly full (and surprisingly expensive!) but we were able to find one of the last rooms in a not-too-bad motel to the west of town.  The Lake of the Woods is so beautiful!  I can’t imagine having that landscape right at the edge of where you live. Waterview Lodge.  Small
Read more

Day 20: Respecting Native heritage

Image
July 25:  Got away in good time so that we could visit the Wanuskewin Heritage Park outside of Saskatoon.  Once again the website sums it up the best: ...Wanuskewin’s uniqueness is not just the fact that there exists evidence of ancient peoples, but rather the composition of many different aspects of habitation, hunting and gathering, and spirituality – all in one place. The Wanuskewin area contains some of the most exciting archaeological finds in North America, many of which pre-date the pyramids of Egypt. (...) The result is a remarkable complete and intact record of cultural development in the region over that time span. (...) Indigenous peoples of the Northern Plains came to the Opimihaw Creek area year-after-year. (...)  Wanuskewin today gives us the opportunity to delve into the past and discover what life was like for these nomadic hunter-gatherer peoples. The theme of Wanuskewin Heritage Park is one of interpretation – exploring and explaining the meaning of Plains cu
Read more

Day 17: Edmonton

Image
July 22:  Having arrived so late and our Edmonton destination being close, we relaxed in the room until check out.  Went to the West Edmonton Mall because you sort of have to.  Extra everything:  not only extra things to do (the well-publicized waterpark, bowling alley, bingo, sea lion show,......), but extra big stores with extra-great selection.  (Two floors of Sunrise records!)  Our room tonight is actually a “studio suite” so instead of our tiny fridge we have a full kitchen, yet the price is terrific.  Another evening swim.  (Not that we didn’t get any exercise walking around the mall!) TownePlace Suites, Marriott; full kitchen, sofa bed and king bed, pool and hot tub. Ate at Denny’s:  who knew it was good! Hotel room kitchen One of the pictures in the hotel
Read more