Exploring Ontario's Northern Gems: From Pancake Bay to Thunder Bay

This post was writtten by Lynn for the Trinity Times in September 2021

Last time, we had just finished up at Pancake Bay north of Sault Ste Marie!   After stopping at the Voyageur Cookhouse on Hwy 17 for apple fritters (a well-known specialty with good reason), we headed North and West once again! Our destination was a quick stop at White Lake Provincial Park en route to our final goal: Thunder Bay! The views along the shore of Lake Superior are absolutely stunning!  The road is quite hilly, and every curve seems to lead to a vista even more spectacular than the last.  With the leaves just beginning to turn, I can imagine that I full fall colour this would be a completely astonishing drive!There are two notable roadside attractions on this route.

First, one I mentioned last time: the Wawa goose! Back in the early 60s, the Trans Canada highway was created along Lake Superior and bypassing the charming Northern town of Wawa.  Businessman Al Turcott rallied his fellow merchants to create a tourist attraction that would bring folks off the highway and into town.  The original goose was unveiled in 1963, and a new, upgraded version (28’ tall with a 2’ wingspan)  was created in 2017.  Wawa is an Ojibwe word meaning “ wild goose” so the sculpture is truly fitting!  

We were happy to pose alongside one of Canada’s most-photographed attractions!Just up the road a bit in White River is the charming statue of Winnie the Pooh.  You may remember from a TV heritage moment that Winnie was named for Winnipeg, but did you know the lack bear who inspired AAMilne’s story was found as an abandoned cub in White River, Ontario? Today, a colourful statue in the style of Disney’s Winnie encourages travellers to stop and learn more while the kids enjoy an adjacent play park!

Another tourist attraction along the way drew us in for a break before reaching TBay.  Eagle Canyon Adventures in Dorian, Ontario boasts hiking trails, amethyst shop,and  picnic areas, but the show stoppers here are the 300’ and 600’ suspension bridges spanning the canyon. It was truly exhilarating to step onto the well- built bridges 175’ above the gorge.  We forced ourselves to look down at the trickling river below and across the treetops to the end of the chasm.  The bridges do bounce and sway a bit, but I did feel safe holding the huge cables - an I appreciated the full 4’ high fencing along the span of each bridge!

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is on a peninsula in Lake Superior.  From there, we saw “the other side of the giant” than folks see from Thunder Bay.  Dave and my brother-in-law took a “ bucket list” 7 hour hike to the top of the giant and raved about the scenery and views across the water of Thunder Bay.  A highlight for all of us was visiting the Terry Fox Memorial near the site on the Trans Canada Highway where Terry took his final steps in the Marathon of Hope.  A very fitting monument pays tribute to this inspirational Canadian, and I loved seeing how the memories and the site itself affected virtually everyone we saw while we visited. If you get to Thunder Bay, do not miss a side trip to the stunning Kakabeka Falls!  I’ve wanted to visit this natural wonder for years, and it did not disappoint!   

The easy boardwalk trails along the falls allows visitors access to the best photo spots and safe viewing along the deep gorge that created the waterfall.  With fall colours just beginning, Kakabeka Falls is simply a beautiful spot to visit in Ontario’s North!Sent from my iPad.

Safe Travels

Lynn

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