We are finally at the halfway point of our journey, Thunder Bay, Ontario. On Wednesday, we traveled from Brandon to Winnipeg and spent the afternoon with Shannon's cousin Mike. We've always seemed to miss him when he'd make his way through Calgary, or Kelowna in previous years and we had planned on this stop anyway. Mike is a wonderful person to talk to, very genuine, and it was a lot of fun catching up with him. He even showed us around Winnipeg a little and took us to a wildlife park or reserve on the edge of the city. The day was getting on and we did want to get to Kenora to help lessen the driving for the following day, but we were thinking also of spending another day in Winnipeg. Afterall, everything after Brandon is new to me and Shan doesn't recall anything past Medicine Hat! With the family fed (Thank you Olive Garden, it's been a long time), the sun setting, and a storm on the horizon, we set out for Ontario a mere two hours and a bit away.
Today was a long day of travel, but not as long as the next two days are planned to be. We stayed overnight in Kenora, Ontario, which is nestled on the northern shore of the second largest inland lake in Ontario, Lake of the Woods. The name sounds like it's from some old horror movie, but I'm sure it is a picturesque lake. We never actually saw the lake itself because we arrived in Kenora after the sun had long set, but the lake spans for miles to the south and likely the only way to appreciate it's beauty and vastness is by air. I did read in a local magazine that the lake is known for it's Walleye and Muskie fishing. I can't recall what a Muskie actually looks like, but all the fishing shows I used to watch as a kid has planted in my mind that it resembles a trout with catfish like whiskers or barbs. I guess a Google search will ease the wondering mind.
From Kenora to Thunder Bay, the land starts out as a fisherman's dream, lakes everywhere and likely great fishing as well. I lost count of the lakes at fifty and that was only 30 km outside of Kenora, and the great thing is that someone had time to name them all! The number of lakes dwindle off, at least from the roadside view, and the landscape turns into an odd looking forest. I guess this would be known as the Canadian shield, that scraggly brush, and rocky outcropping type of landscape. What's peculiar to me is that even though the trees are probably the same type as found in other parts of Canada, they're all much shorter...maybe twenty feet tall tops. It is my best guess that weather shapes much of the landscape here. Northwestern Ontario was no exception to the bouts of road construction that we've experienced in other provinces...everyone feverishly trying to start, continue, or complete projects before a potential fall election. Coming into Thunder Bay, we stopped briefly at a natural waterfall at Kakamaka (I'll let you attempt to pronounce it). We did a quick walk of the boardwalk, and the view was spectacular...straight down for a couple hundred feet. It was no Niagra, but the water falling on the black granite rock and cutting it's path towards Lake Superior was a sight to behold. Again, we came into Thunder Bay a little late and haven't had a chance to see the giant Lake Superior, but we should be able to see it tomorrow once the fog lifts.
Tomorrow will be a long day for the kids...and likely for the sleep deprived parents. We're almost eight hours from the next major town Sault Ste. Marie and that's a long drive no matter what age you are. Of course we'll make our mandatory stops along the way for feedings, bathroom breaks and such, but eight hours is an eternity driving with a two year old. I mean, the boy can only watch Cars so many times! I guess we'll see how it goes seeing as how he's not asleep yet and it's 1:30 AM EDT. Yikes!Happy Sabbath.
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