 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
A Drive To Thunder Bay ~ Article by Cheryl Smyth |
| WAVE Journey.com Women's Adventures, Vacations & Experiences ~ Your Journey Starts Here! |
TM
A Woman's Directory For Travel and Life.
WAVE Journey is your one-stop online resource for women-oriented travel businesses & services
around the world.
WAVE Journey is for every woman to enjoy. If you love to travel, cook, read or revel in outdoor activities this website
is for you. If you are looking to connect with other like-minded women or if you are interested in finding businesses
or services that cater to women, WAVE Journey is your number one online travel resource.
WAVE Journey is your one-stop online resource for women-oriented travel businesses & services
around the world.
WAVE Journey is for every woman to enjoy. If you love to travel, cook, read or revel in outdoor activities this website
is for you. If you are looking to connect with other like-minded women or if you are interested in finding businesses
or services that cater to women, WAVE Journey is your number one online travel resource.
On Our Way
I had reserved the motel room and ensured the car was in proper running order. The cooler was filled with
refreshments, and the debit and credit card were on hand. Judging from a glance at my map, I determined
if we set off early in the morning from our southwestern Ontario homes, we would reach Thunder Bay by
nightfall. I was wrong about the last part.
Since seeing massive cliffs when flying over Thunder Bay on the north shore of Lake Superior years ago, I
yearned to discover more of this rugged looking region of Ontario. The part of the province I live in is mainly
flat farmland, where only hints of Carolinian forests lie.
I had reserved the motel room and ensured the car was in proper running order. The cooler was filled with
refreshments, and the debit and credit card were on hand. Judging from a glance at my map, I determined
if we set off early in the morning from our southwestern Ontario homes, we would reach Thunder Bay by
nightfall. I was wrong about the last part.
Since seeing massive cliffs when flying over Thunder Bay on the north shore of Lake Superior years ago, I
yearned to discover more of this rugged looking region of Ontario. The part of the province I live in is mainly
flat farmland, where only hints of Carolinian forests lie.
Finally, my friend, Helen, and I had a chance to escape from our grueling schedules for
a few days. Tessi, my dog, was happy to accompany us as she needed a break from
the grueling boredom of sleeping most of the time. Though there are faster routes to
Thunder Bay, I wanted to travel the one east of Georgian Bay and north of Lake
Superior to experience the treasures our province would reveal.
The day sped by quickly. As we headed north, the landscape gradually changed to
include a mixture of southern deciduous trees and northern boreal trees. Huge
jagged boulders of various shapes hugged the highway south of Parry Sound. We
stopped often, not only for necessity, but also to capture compelling scenery with our
cameras.
Tessi’s Fun
Just as we were discussing our options for lunch, a picnic area appeared on a short
road branching off the highway we were driving on. On this road, we had to pass the
predictable offering of fast food restaurants to reach the lonely looking picnic table
among some trees. Once parked, instead of hauling our lunches from the cooler, we
grabbed our cameras. We recorded images of tree roots twisting in and out of the
needle-covered ground. Hidden behind the picnic area, we found a tranquil rock-
bordered pond. The leaves on some of the deciduous trees, which appeared to be
growing out of the rock, were changing to their fall palette.
Meanwhile, I had given Tessi temporary freedom from her leash. The scent of a
squirrel soon enticed her. Despite my attempt to discourage her, she chased the spry
animal into a tree. As she stubbornly stared up into it, we watched the squirrel sneak
down the other side. Tessi had stretched out to wait when suddenly she yelped; she
had been stung on her belly. The wound wasn’t serious, although she had difficulty
getting comfortable in the car for a short time.
a few days. Tessi, my dog, was happy to accompany us as she needed a break from
the grueling boredom of sleeping most of the time. Though there are faster routes to
Thunder Bay, I wanted to travel the one east of Georgian Bay and north of Lake
Superior to experience the treasures our province would reveal.
The day sped by quickly. As we headed north, the landscape gradually changed to
include a mixture of southern deciduous trees and northern boreal trees. Huge
jagged boulders of various shapes hugged the highway south of Parry Sound. We
stopped often, not only for necessity, but also to capture compelling scenery with our
cameras.
Tessi’s Fun
Just as we were discussing our options for lunch, a picnic area appeared on a short
road branching off the highway we were driving on. On this road, we had to pass the
predictable offering of fast food restaurants to reach the lonely looking picnic table
among some trees. Once parked, instead of hauling our lunches from the cooler, we
grabbed our cameras. We recorded images of tree roots twisting in and out of the
needle-covered ground. Hidden behind the picnic area, we found a tranquil rock-
bordered pond. The leaves on some of the deciduous trees, which appeared to be
growing out of the rock, were changing to their fall palette.
Meanwhile, I had given Tessi temporary freedom from her leash. The scent of a
squirrel soon enticed her. Despite my attempt to discourage her, she chased the spry
animal into a tree. As she stubbornly stared up into it, we watched the squirrel sneak
down the other side. Tessi had stretched out to wait when suddenly she yelped; she
had been stung on her belly. The wound wasn’t serious, although she had difficulty
getting comfortable in the car for a short time.
The Mysterious Skull
In Iron Bridge, on one of our many stops for gas, Helen chatted with the attendant. I
wasn’t listening to their conversation since I was engrossed in examining a large,
wrapped head on the roof of the vehicle beside us. Its apparent owners, a young
couple, mentioned it was a buffalo skull. I regret not asking why they had this strange
rooftop package.
Meanwhile, the attendant had told Helen the town hadn’t seen rain all summer. The
waterworks started once we left the town behind.
We Have How Far To Go?
We drove through Sault Ste. Marie, the last notable city before Thunder Bay, in the
late afternoon. Just as I was wondering if I could drive what I thought would be a few
more hours to our destination, I spotted a sign revealing Thunder Bay to be a further
690 kilometers (429 miles)—at least a seven hour drive. I was filled with shock and
disbelief; my head jumbled with questions, possible solutions, and worry, among
other thought processes. (To this day, Helen still teases me about the look on my face
then.) After more than 12 hours on the road, I knew I couldn’t drive much farther
without a long break, even with Helen occasionally relieving me at the wheel, as she
had throughout the day. I also didn’t want to risk hitting a moose as they have
proven to be a night hazard on the road, and I didn’t want to be arriving at the motel
during the early hours of the morning.
I hadn’t wanted to leave our overnight options to chance, as having a dog usually
requires securing reservations; dog friendly accommodations get taken quickly. I had
reserved a room for two nights at the Country Inn Motel in Thunder Bay.
A Pleasant Place to Spend the Night
After travelling in shock for another hour, I decided I had better phone Wendy, the
motel’s owner. Fortunately, we soon found a payphone since my cell phone call
wouldn’t go through. Wendy informed me that we would likely be at least eight hours
on the road, so I explained the situation. Her kindness and appreciation of the phone
call put me at ease. I did assure her we’d be at her motel the next night.
With that taken care of, I became conscious of the fact we’d have to find a place for
the current night. As I walked away from the phone, I noticed it was attached to the
outside wall of the Voyageurs’ Lodge and Cookhouse. They not only had a reasonably
priced room available, but also accepted pets.
The Voyageurs’ Lodge and Cookhouse is situated along highway 17, north of Sault.
Ste. Marie in the Batchawana Bay area. The motel’s old log décor features a
comfortable home away from home. There is not only a three kilometre sandy beach,
but also assorted hiking trails.
In Iron Bridge, on one of our many stops for gas, Helen chatted with the attendant. I
wasn’t listening to their conversation since I was engrossed in examining a large,
wrapped head on the roof of the vehicle beside us. Its apparent owners, a young
couple, mentioned it was a buffalo skull. I regret not asking why they had this strange
rooftop package.
Meanwhile, the attendant had told Helen the town hadn’t seen rain all summer. The
waterworks started once we left the town behind.
We Have How Far To Go?
We drove through Sault Ste. Marie, the last notable city before Thunder Bay, in the
late afternoon. Just as I was wondering if I could drive what I thought would be a few
more hours to our destination, I spotted a sign revealing Thunder Bay to be a further
690 kilometers (429 miles)—at least a seven hour drive. I was filled with shock and
disbelief; my head jumbled with questions, possible solutions, and worry, among
other thought processes. (To this day, Helen still teases me about the look on my face
then.) After more than 12 hours on the road, I knew I couldn’t drive much farther
without a long break, even with Helen occasionally relieving me at the wheel, as she
had throughout the day. I also didn’t want to risk hitting a moose as they have
proven to be a night hazard on the road, and I didn’t want to be arriving at the motel
during the early hours of the morning.
I hadn’t wanted to leave our overnight options to chance, as having a dog usually
requires securing reservations; dog friendly accommodations get taken quickly. I had
reserved a room for two nights at the Country Inn Motel in Thunder Bay.
A Pleasant Place to Spend the Night
After travelling in shock for another hour, I decided I had better phone Wendy, the
motel’s owner. Fortunately, we soon found a payphone since my cell phone call
wouldn’t go through. Wendy informed me that we would likely be at least eight hours
on the road, so I explained the situation. Her kindness and appreciation of the phone
call put me at ease. I did assure her we’d be at her motel the next night.
With that taken care of, I became conscious of the fact we’d have to find a place for
the current night. As I walked away from the phone, I noticed it was attached to the
outside wall of the Voyageurs’ Lodge and Cookhouse. They not only had a reasonably
priced room available, but also accepted pets.
The Voyageurs’ Lodge and Cookhouse is situated along highway 17, north of Sault.
Ste. Marie in the Batchawana Bay area. The motel’s old log décor features a
comfortable home away from home. There is not only a three kilometre sandy beach,
but also assorted hiking trails.
We, especially Tessi, appreciated a much needed outing on the beach, which is across the
highway from the motel. Afterwards, Helen and I delved into hot meals at the motel’s
restaurant before settling in for a refreshing night’s sleep.
highway from the motel. Afterwards, Helen and I delved into hot meals at the motel’s
restaurant before settling in for a refreshing night’s sleep.
| Pg 1 of 2 | Next Page | |