Upsala to Thunder Bay, Ontario

I'm done! I reached Thunder Bay yesterday afternoon, around 15:00 Eastern Time.

I had great weather, and a surprisingly quiet highway.

My first stop was the airport, where I picked up a rental car to use for the next 24 hours.  Interestingly, there was a (once world's largest airplane) Antonov AN-124 at the airport, which I later found out had been transporting parts for Bombardier.  I could see it through the fence, but not well enough to photograph.  I sure heard it this morning, as well, when it woke me up taking off!

From the airport I went to check in at my hotel.  Since my ride was now complete, I decided to splurge on some real luxury! 😉

After showering and changing, I drove northeast of Thunder Bay, where the Terry Fox National Historic Site is, as well as a tourist information booth where I could get a Thunder Bay map.  The site is interesting not only because of the Terry Fox statue, but also because it gives you a great view of Lake Superior.

Once I had my map, I drove back into Thunder Bay.  I bought some new clothes at Winners, went for dinner in downtown Port Arthur, and drove around exploring.  I also went to Canadian Tire to see if they had a pedal wrench I could buy.  They didn't, but the young man working in the bike shop took my pedals off for me, so I would not have to worry about it today.

This morning after breakfast I drove to the Greyhound station to get a bike box.  They didn't have any new, but they did have a used once which the man sold me for half price, so it was a pretty good deal.  I packed my bike in it, but unfortunately it was a bit shorter than boxes I have used in the past, so it required me to lower my seat.  The problem was I actually had not brought a complete Allen key set, and did not have the right sized key.  So, I checked out of my hotel, and drove to the airport.  I wanted to figure a few things out before my flight this afternoon, but also asked WestJet if they had an Allen key set.  Remarkably, all they could come up with was a single Allen key as well, but it too was the wrong size.  Back to Canadian Tire, then, where the only Allen key set was incredibly fancy, and almost $20!  I bought it, lowered my seat, and returned it.

With the bike now fully in the box, I could continue enjoying Thunder Bay.  I drove south to the Fort William First Nation, where Mt McKay towers over the southern half of the city.  At one spot there is a scenic lookout and the First Nation's pow wow grounds (where a birch bark canoe is under construction).

There's also a spot to park and hike up to the very top.  

It ended up being a more serious hike than I expected!  It wasn't necessarily ideal just a few hours before I get on an airplane, but it certainly was enjoyable none the less.

My last tourist stop was Mission Island, and a spot called Mission March Conservation Area.  I came down here to get close to the lake, and it proved to be another very lovely spot.

From there I came back to the airport, returned the car, and am waiting for my flight home.  (I assume the Thunder Bay airport is usually not so interesting, but even though the AN-124 is gone, the Snowbirds are here practicing, and Bob Rae is sitting here quietly reading a book!)

Ignace to Upsala, Ontario

It was a cool, mostly cloudy morning, but I avoided the rain again and had a really fast ride, managing to get to my motel southeast of Upsala before 13:00!

In fact, I rode the fastest metric century I ever have, at exactly 4 hours (just under 3:40 ride time).

I also got to see wild blueberries growing on the side of the road.

The Black Spruce Motel has a little restaurant, so I just stayed here all afternoon and evening getting well rested for my final day!

Dryden to Ignace, Ontario

Today was my shortest ride yet, about 107 kms, from Dryden to Ignace.

I cycled up the highway to Tim Horton's, where I waited a long time in line for some breakfast.  Then I continued on out of Dryden and southeast.

At some point along here I lost the nice paved shoulder, which made the ride far less pleasant and safe, and this in combination with rain in the forecast, made me very motivated to go fast (although I did slow down when I saw this sign! 😉).

I got to Ignace just after 13:00, and in time to "watch" the solar eclipse on TV.

Perhaps it was the dreary weather, but I found Ignace to be a pretty sad place.  It seems to be very economically depressed, with many of the businesses closed or for sale.  

I ate dinner at Subway, where I manged to spend over $27! (although that does include some food for tomorrow)