The Badlands, and around the north shore of Lake Superior
At Badlands, we were lucky to find a place to stay in a full campground. Several tired groups had arrived late in the day (just like us), and for "overflow" we were able to just park the van with no tent needed. We were right next to the Eagle Troop, who were on a big multiple week trip, and were well set up as Scouts always are.
As it got quite dark, one of the leaders brought out a telescope to to teach their team some star patterns. Meanwhile, we did a bit of timelapse work and ended up sending them a couple of the images so they could include one in their travel story back home..
A full day of driving brought us to Thunder Bay, and a campsite in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park under clear skies.
In addition to Lakehead University, Thunder Bay has an active cultural community, and also nice local parks and displays.
After 16 years not seeing them, we stop to visit Jackie's friends from days when she lived in Thunder Bay. Boris and Judy, with their son Nathan, and dog Cooper just happened to be home. It was delightful for me to meet them.
Globes, orbs and iteresting flowers at a small restaurant along the Lake Superior coast.
Our next stop is Neys Provincial Park, again right on the
water with a great campsite.
Continuing along the shore of the lake, we have a campsite at Lake Superior Provincial park the following night.
A very interesting and engaging visitor center even has an old fog horn that Jackie tests after getting the all-clear from everyone in the vicinity.
Near the campground are the Agawa Rock Petroglyphs. Walking in the trail to the shore, you can see a massive chockstone caught between narrowing walls of the cleft.
These ancient petroglyphs are on a slick and tall rock face down at the shoreline right where the water laps. Several can be seen at eye level byu walking right up to them on a sloping flat outcrop of rock.
For the adventurous, you can use one of the installed ropes to lean out over the water to get a better view of the rock canvas and its artwork.
In the Visitor center, an interesting riverbed & treetrunk sculpture, and an early 3 wheel railroad handcar!
. A nice water site, with not many people around. Our neighbors, while quiet, looked to be planning some kind of drinking game with a wtaer theme.
Never did know how that turned out...
Under sunny skies the next day, we continued towards home base in Ottawa, and made it just about to Sudbury. We found a campsite at Fairbank Provinicial Park, a bit of a drive from the TransCanada Highway
Our last day on the road saw us passing through Sudbury without spending any time there this trip. We had been on the road for nnn days, and were ready to get back home. All day the sun beamed, and the weather in Ottawa was pretty much like almost all the weather we had on this trip to the West Coast- warm, sunny, and just beautiful.
If you want to see some of the Very Best of The USA and North of Superior, then please think about taking a trip just like this one!!
