Thunder Bay, Canada

Nipigon, Canada

Today’s travels took me along the north shore of Lake Superior between Sault Ste Marie and Nipigon. It was cloudy with the occasional sunny break and rain here and there, but not heavy.

It is an absolutely stunning drive, with the many vistas somehow enhanced by the moody feel and shades of blue and grey that the clouds and fog brought into play. The road starts at lake level just north of the Soo where there are some great provincial parks and beaches, some which are fine white sand and others that are agates. The road winds back and forth, mostly staying in view of the lake but then it disappears for a time, only to reappear in grand style as you round a curve and find that you’ve climbed quite high above the lake and you’re now looking out to see nothing but lake for as far as you can see or small islands dotting huge bays.

There is not much to spoil the serenity and beauty of the lake and surrounding forests and smaller lakes, with very little in the way of population, and I often have the highway to myself. Until a huge logging truck comes barrelling down on me, that is!

The air is so clear here that you can’t help but breath deeply to soak it up at every opportunity.

I’m afraid however, that once again, I’m not able to share the vistas with you because it would mean risking life and limb. Where there were pull outs, it was without exception, raining and the pictures would not fairly represent the beauty.

I passed through some small places along the way, but I can’t show you the Wawa Canada goose, the lighthouse at Terrace Bay, the cute little B&B in Rossport or the other things that made my day interestings.

I tried something new today, in that I didn’t have a reservation to camp anywhere because Iwasn’t sure how far I would get. I did some research to see what was available in various spots and when I knew that I would make it to at least Nipigon I decided to reserve a spot at one I’d looked at on line, called Stillwater Park Campground. I promised to share the downsides with you as well as the upsides and here is where we get to “the Bad and the Ugly” part. I’m glad I only paid $30 for the night here, because it’s not worth even that. The campground is completely uninspiring with little in the way of grass and mostly sand and gravel, the washrooms are ancient (and it’s the first time I’ve run into needing a code to get into the locked washrooms) although they are as clean as is possible, it’s right next to the highway, with all the wilderness in the world around us the sites are packed in like sardines, there is a faint sewer smell which I hope I’ve managed to stop by disconnecting my grey water output, and to top it off the WIFI isn’t working – a Bell problem I’m told. So, thank heavens I’m here for only one night. I clearly need to get better at choosing RV Parks on line. I guess the price should have tipped me off. 🙂

The good news is that the sun came out full after I arrived and so I set up quickly and headed into “town”. Nipigon is not a thriving megalopolous or even thriving- it’s population is steadily declining. A mill that was sold to the workers in the early 2000’s, and for which an expansion was planned, burned to the ground. But they appeart to be trying hard to keep it vital by promoting fishing excurisons and tourism. Clearly they need to get better at their camping facilities.

There is a nice marina and park area and an interesting park highlighting a book about the region called Paddle to the Sea. The park starts in the downtown core and ends at the marina on the Nipigon River (which comes originally from Lake Nipigon and empties into Nipigon Bay on Lake Superior). It is a series of fun looking kids play areas encouraging you to walk along the pathway like the boy who paddled to the sea.

Enjoy the pics I was able to take along the way and after the sun came out in Nipigon.

Terrace Bay, Canada

White River Ontario, Canada

Sault Ste. Marie, Canada

St. Joseph Island, Canada

I’ve spent a lot of time in what has been referred to as “up north” in Ontario. I always chuckle at that moniker since our cottage “up north” is at latitude 46, and Vancouver is at latitude 49 and Winnipeg is at 50, both further from the equator than our cottage. Toronto is at 43 degrees. So now you know the term refers to it’s location relative to the centre of the universe. 🙂 Sorry Torontonians. 🙂 Couldn’t resist.

You saw a picture of the Big Nickel in yesterday’s blog, which I’m sure you identified as being in Sudbury. However among the pictures from today is another oversize coin. Any idea it’s association with this part of Canada?

I had an excellent day for touring around St. Joseph Island and the mainland around that part of the world. Sunny for the most part and cooler than it has been, which is just fine with me.

A huge thanks to Marilyn for spending the day driving and touring around, giving me a break from driving. It was so nice to have a chance to get caught up as well! We had a lovely lunch at a restaurant in Hilton Beach overlooking the marina. And we might have had a small cone of chocolate peanut butter ice cream.

St. Joseph Island (affectionally called “St. Joe”) is at the western end of a series of islands in the North Channel of Lake Huron with the more populated, larger and better known Manitoulin Island at the east. Historically, a fort on the southern tip of the island played an important role in the first victory for British North America in the War of 1812 and there is a National Historic Site on the site of the original Fort. (However, if you visit the US historic site on Mackinac Island they have a different perspective.) Geologically, it is part of the Canadian Shield but there is a stone that is unique to the area, and very abundant on the island referred to by locals as Puddingstone. It’s technical name is jasper conglomerate and the stone was produced by the ice retreating causing chunks jasper and quartz to get jumbled up into other kinds of stone, producing the look of rice pudding with raisins in it.

There used to be a ferry to get residents to and from the island but in 1972 a bridge was built and it was eventually named the Bernt Gilbertson St. Joseph Island Bridge in honour of Bernt Gilbertson, an island resident and Progressive Conservative member of the provincial legislature who had long advocated for a bridge. The Gilbertson’s still play a major role in the economy of the island. Marilyn informed me today that she had discovered that the locals born on the island, refer to those of us not fortunate enough to be born there, as “bridge trash”. Arriving on the island by the bridge for our summers spent there I always felt a peacefulness descend on me as I went over the bridge. As you’ll see from the pictures that feeling was aided by the beauty all around.

One of the interesting things about the mainland area around St. Joe is that more and more families of Mennonites from southern Ontario are moving into the area because of the available and relatively cheap land. They are industrious and productive farmers despite using only man and real horse power and their stands selling vegetables, honey, etc. are always hopping with area locals and summer residents.

I hope you enjoy visiting my old stomping grounds as much as I did.

Sault Ste. Marie, Canada

So, today was an uneventful drive from Sturgeon Falls to the KOA just north of Sault Ste Marie. Uneventful in the good sense; nothing untoward happened.

It was cloud/sun mix with off and on rain, but no torrential downpours and no wind or thunderstorms. Again, beautiful Canadian Shield and a look at the North Shore of Lake Huron for the first time this trip. Since it was cloudy, I have borrowed some pictures of another trip through this area to show you some highlights.

I had a lovely lunch in the small town of Bruce Mines with a friend, Marilyn, from our cottage days. It was great to catch up. Although we’ve been in touch by email, it’s been 8 or so years since we have had a chance to visit.

If you ever find yourself in Bruce Mines, on the TransCanada Highway between Sudbury and “the Soo” (Sault Ste Marie), check out a restaurant called Bobbers. Don’t expect white linen, and don’t be in a hurry, but do expect to get great home made food. They use real roasted turkey in their hot turkey sandwiches. They have the best date squares and pies anywhere! And that’s saying something in an area where pies are a staple of all community events.

Marilyn and I are going to spend tomorrow visiting some of my old haunts on Saint Joseph Island and environs.

The Soo KOA is another great enterprise. I think I am so enamoured with KOAs because they are mostly family run by great entrepreneurs, the stimulators of our economy. This one is smaller than most, but has more neat “stuff”. They have a huge dog agility course, and K9 Wash station. They have a scale to weigh your trailer. They have a pavilion where they show movies afternoon and evening on a big screen TV and the news playing in between. They have a mini putt and pool. And they have several new cabins. If you are looking for a cheap, easy way to travel you should check into the cabins that KOA offers.

I experimented with a gourmet delight on my new BBQ tonight – wieners! Not anything special, just the cheap variety available at the camp store. Didn’t want to ruin a good piece of meat! It was a good learning experience. It seems putting things on the edge is much hotter than over the heat diffuser pan. Burnt wieners really don’t taste all that bad. 🙂 But then, anything made outside tastes better. And of course has no calories.

And as I sit here, catching up on reading, emails and this blog, the RVs are rolling in for the night, escorted by the KOA folks on golf carts. They show you to your spot and help direct the big rigs in and help direct people backing in. The owner said as he went by for the 4th time in 15 minutes, “Are you enjoying the RV Show?”.

Sturgeon Falls, Canada

At the beginning of every day on the road as I’m pulling out of wherever I’m staying, I start the day at least humming this Willie Nelson classic and sometimes belting it out for the world to hear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TD_pSe NelU

As you can see, I’ve made the decision to carry on with the great adventure. I don’t suppose there was really any doubt, but I had to leave you hanging……

No, really, the plan always was to sit back and make a final decision about the longer trip after the trial run in eastern Canada. I had only planned a 2 week stop in Ottawa to visit with family and friends and to catch up on appointments, etc, but as you can see, that 2 weeks stretched to 3.

During my pondering, I decided the CRV just wasn’t as powerful as I would have liked to take me and my home on wheels through the mountains and around North America. So, I bought a Toyota Venza. Don’t worry if you haven’t heard of them, almost no one I’ve talked to has. It’s a crossover between car and SUV, and is rated to haul 3500 pounds with a built in transmission cooler, and much heavier duty hitch. It took the dealer a while to find and trailer in to Ottawa the colour I wanted as we’re coming to the end of the 2015 model year.

So after getting the vehicle tow-ready, I hit the road today to start phase 2 of the big adventure. Because I was starting out and had to pack up and stop to pick up the trailer in Renfrew it was a short travel day.

I had such a great day travelling along the very familiar TransCanada Highway through northern Ontario. I have driven the road from Sault Ste Marie to Ottawa at least 20 times mostly from our days in the early 2000’s when we had our summer home on St Joseph Island, near the Soo, to political meetings and visits with family and friends in Ottawa.

The Canadian Shield has such a great appeal. The rock cuts contrasting with the green forests, the plethora of small lakes and some huge ones. Tonight I’m not far from one of the huge ones, Lake Nipissing. I’m overnighting at the KOA just outside of Sturgeon Falls on the Sturgeon River which runs from Sturgeon Falls to Lake Nipissing.

This KOA is in a lovely spot and is really well maintained by the husband and wife owners who are amazingly friendly. Their teenage son is part of the operation as well. He helped direct me backing up into the very tight spot I’m in for the night. The washrooms and showers are very new and the biggest I’ve run across in my travels. I’ve taken some pictures to give you a sense of what the campsite looks like. I just hope the family next door goes to bed early because there is clearly an elder who everyone is yelling at to make themselves heard. 🙂

On to my old stomping grounds tomorrow, and a two night stay at the KOA north of Sault Ste Marie. I discovered today that I have already become a VIP KOA Member which entitles me to premium high speed internet at some campgrounds, including this one. Definitely a bonus.

Ottawa, Canada

Ottawa, Canada