Trans Canada Hwy View of Lake Superior
See the bear climbing the hill?
Right beside my window...
Moose in the wild
Kakabeka Falls, Thunder Bay
Niagara Falls on previous trip
Lupins todayIf you are looking to take a scenic and enjoyable drive on a good road, try taking the Trans Canada Hwy 17 from Sault St Marie north around the edge of Lake Superior to Thunder Bay and then onto Duluth (Minnesota) via Hwy 61. Our friend Judy had done the trip about 15 years ago and her memories were of being surprised with pleasant vistas as she rounded each bend. We filled up with gas and thought we would see if that was still the case. We were not disappointed. As we topped a rise, we would see beautiful views of Lake Superior. Beside the scenic lake, there were numerous lakes and streams along the way, usually surrounded by pine & fir trees. We stopped at a little beach on the shores of the lake and had our lunch before hitting the road again. Our eyes were constantly scanning the trees and marshes looking for moose, and we almost drove straight past a black bear foraging on the opposite side of the road. We turned the RV around and came right up alongside the bear. He didn’t seem too concerned with my camera clicking a few feet from his face! A different story though with the moose we encountered on the roadside at 4.30pm. We saw him ahead of us and slowed down, but by the time I got my window open and took the photo, he had retreated to the trees. Fortunately I had learnt from my experience with Kim on the Cabot Trail and took a photo through the windscreen before opening the window and trying to perfect the shot!
After a night stopover enroute, we reached Thunder Bay. It is a city of 110,000 people situated on the NW edge of Lake Superior and is listed as one of the six wonders of Canada (or the incumbent Sleeping Giant). We sat in the beautiful Marina Park and had our lunch looking over to the Sleeping Giant and if you are interested in it, click on the blue link for this Indian Legend. We were hoping to visit an amethyst mine in the area, but the pamphlet we were given in the tourist office led us not to the mine, but to an amethyst rockhound collection – not quite as interesting for us. We dropped in to see the Kakebeka Falls which were lovely, but after Niagara Falls which we have visited a few times, these were pale by comparison.
This morning we planned to head west out of our campground and drive about 3 hours, pass over the border into USA and stay the night at International Falls, Minnesota. Murray happened to mention that Bob Dylan was doing concerts around USA and there was a 1 July concert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that he would love to see. We figure you only get one bite at the cherry, so, instead of heading west, we headed east and followed Lake Superior down to Duluth. We weren’t far along the route when we arrived at the border crossing into the USA – the customs chaps were very pleasant. We handed over our passports and an agent asked a few questions, then another one came aboard to see what we are carrying in the fridge in the way of fruit - we were able to keep the peaches, apricots, nectarines & cherries, but had to hand over a mandarin – citrus fruit is a worry. Too easy. However, that means that our month-long Canada RV trip is now behind us. It was a trip to remember for all the right reasons…great people, lovely countryside and outstanding lobster!
The drive to Duluth was scenic and pretty lupins decorated the roadside. We also saw two deer prance across the road ahead of us, and believe it or not, a bear cub bounded across the road on all fours - he was around the same size as the one we saw on the Trans Canada. We were surprised how fast it could move, but it didn’t have much choice as it was crossing an expressway and there were a few cars doing 65 mph (110 kph) - so it was run fast or not make it to the other side. Lucky bear.
After a night stopover enroute, we reached Thunder Bay. It is a city of 110,000 people situated on the NW edge of Lake Superior and is listed as one of the six wonders of Canada (or the incumbent Sleeping Giant). We sat in the beautiful Marina Park and had our lunch looking over to the Sleeping Giant and if you are interested in it, click on the blue link for this Indian Legend. We were hoping to visit an amethyst mine in the area, but the pamphlet we were given in the tourist office led us not to the mine, but to an amethyst rockhound collection – not quite as interesting for us. We dropped in to see the Kakebeka Falls which were lovely, but after Niagara Falls which we have visited a few times, these were pale by comparison.
This morning we planned to head west out of our campground and drive about 3 hours, pass over the border into USA and stay the night at International Falls, Minnesota. Murray happened to mention that Bob Dylan was doing concerts around USA and there was a 1 July concert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that he would love to see. We figure you only get one bite at the cherry, so, instead of heading west, we headed east and followed Lake Superior down to Duluth. We weren’t far along the route when we arrived at the border crossing into the USA – the customs chaps were very pleasant. We handed over our passports and an agent asked a few questions, then another one came aboard to see what we are carrying in the fridge in the way of fruit - we were able to keep the peaches, apricots, nectarines & cherries, but had to hand over a mandarin – citrus fruit is a worry. Too easy. However, that means that our month-long Canada RV trip is now behind us. It was a trip to remember for all the right reasons…great people, lovely countryside and outstanding lobster!
The drive to Duluth was scenic and pretty lupins decorated the roadside. We also saw two deer prance across the road ahead of us, and believe it or not, a bear cub bounded across the road on all fours - he was around the same size as the one we saw on the Trans Canada. We were surprised how fast it could move, but it didn’t have much choice as it was crossing an expressway and there were a few cars doing 65 mph (110 kph) - so it was run fast or not make it to the other side. Lucky bear.
Yay! A good picture of a moose!!! Well done!! xoxox
ReplyDelete