Sault Ste Marie, Michigan

We crossed the border for fuel, mail, restocking food, etc. and camped at the Marie-Osborn Campground which is owned by the city and just a few blocks east of the Soo Locks Campground where we were last time. Great ship watching and this morning we woke up with the ships blowing their fog horns.

Pictographs

The four of us hiked down through the rocks to see the pictographs in Superior Provencial Park. Quite a rocky climb and the pictures were nothing compared with the ones we saw in New Mexico and Utah. They had a chain to hold on to and ropes into the water in case you fell in.

Getting wet in Lake Superior

As you can see - going swimming in Lake Superior is strickly for the natives! But, one must get your feet wet!

Wawa Area

We headed out and found some pretty falls and later in the day went blueberry picking with the locals and saw 3 bears. Earlier we had seen a grey wolf! Bill also spotted a moose.

Wawa, Ontario

We stayed at a private campground just north of Wawa and would stay there again. We headed into town to check out the famous moose, Henrietta, and the goose statues. Young's General tore was a necessary stop.

We spent the night at Neyes Lunch and RV across the street from the Neyes Provencial Park. The power was barely passible and it was very tight. The Provencial Park would have been a better choice and much prettier!

The Fix

Across the street was a highway department maintenance yard and the men there had a torch and a hammer to straighten the bar and the policeman had the strength to get the bar in place so they could then tow the car once again. No charge for the fix and Roadmaster is shipping a replacement bar to Michigan which should be there when we arrive next weeken.

The Problem

Jack noticed his tow car drifting off to the side as we were heading to a provincial park. The lock had broken where the tow bar attaches and the resulting bent spreader bar meant that Betty had to drive the car. We stopped for lunch at a pretty spot along the shore.

Thunder Bay

This pictures are from the campground which is owned by the city and named Trowbridge Falls. It was a lovely campground but only had about 4 large sites in section D. Fortunately we arrived early enough to get two of them.
Donut shops are big in Thunder Bay and especially Robins Donut but they do not take charge cards which is what the guys decided to travel with. Betty and I decided on a very rainy afternoon to head to the casino (boy are we learning about casinos on this trip) and sign up and get our "play money". We got the guys to also sign up and we won enough money for donuts and coffee - for two mornings!

Fort William in Thunder Bay

Fort William was our adventure of the day in the rain and it ended up being a real "gem". Forts in Canada were used as trading posts not as military defense posts used to subdue the Indians. The Indians became part of the economic system and they were the trappers and providers of transportation into the areas west. Intermarraige was very common and today there is sill a close working arrangement between the peoples.

Canada - at last

The drive from Duluth to the Candian border was beautiful and it brought back memories of seeing the view from the scenic train, thanks to Tom, and the beauty of the shore and the homes along it. After getting past the Duluth outlying homes and Twin Rivers Harbor, most of the trip was through wooded areas with glimpses of Lake Ontario. Reminded me more of the Maine coast. Customs was no problem and we were quickly on our way to Thunder Bay. Thunder Bay started as a fur trading post that became an ore and lumber export city. We were advised to check out Prospectors restauraunt and there we had a great steak dinner (guys) and salmon (Gals). Had enough left over for the next night.

Duluth - An American Treasure

We arrived yesterday around noon in Duluth and we had to cross the Lift Bridge to arrive at our camping location which is a combines marina and RV campground - on the water and within easy walking to everything! Our exposure to this city first happened in JJune of 2003 when Tom ran in his first marathon after Susan's death and we brought the boys to watch. Tom developed blisters on his feet around the fifth mile and completed the race with bloody running shoes! What a man!
The twin ports of Superior and Duluth is the largest inland port in the world and grain and ore is shipped from here to places around the world. This is an exciting city with trains, boats, ships, and warm friendly midwestern people.

Apostle Islands Boat Tour

Although we encountered some rain, we enjoyed the boat tour and especially the rock caves and light houses. We did enjoy the Pictured Rocks National Seashore even more.
This morning the four of us headed in the rain to the lilttle Episcopal Church in town and it is a good thing we went for there were only two additional worshipers! The actual count was 11 counting the vicar, lay reader, deacon, two musicians, and the four of us! The Vicar had his undergraduate degree from Julliard and one of the two musicians who had been in town for the Bach series this summer had studied at Eastman School of music and had just graduated. The Vicar was in an electric wheelchair and had pre-recorded the music and hymns earlier for the service. It was obvious he was a very schooled and talented organist. After the service they normally have a garden party with sherry, lemonade, and pastries but this had been moved into the church hall. Unfortunately we had to leave and check out of the campground and headed to the Bad River Casino. Full 50 amp service and water, and again for free. Once again Betty and I tried to make donations for the camping and she won $20.60 and I won $6.49. We did great on the penny slots!