Kakabeka Falls and on to Thunder Bay, Ontario

Old church who's seen better days

On the road by 7:30 am as we know we have another time zone change to deal with 1.5 hours down the road so it will be 8:30 before we know it. This old church along the highway has seen better days.

They are repaving the Trans-Canada along the way so we are down to alternating one way traffic. 

Narrow lane for alternating traffic while they repave

90 degrees longitude west

We stop for breakfast at the 90 Degrees Longitude West rest stop. It coincides with the Eastern Standard Time Zone change for us ....another hour ahead of home so 2 hours in total now ahead.  Kind of a cool location. 

Kakabeka Falls 

Just before Thunder Bay is Kakabeka Falls, which is considered the Niagara of the North. They are the second highest falls in Ontario, after Niagara Falls and drop a whopping 40 meters (130 feet). We learn from AI the Kaministikwin River, which feeds the falls, often appears red or brown due to the presence of sediment and organic matter carried by the water, particularly after rain. That makes sense as to why it is so red/brown today after yesterday's storm.

 

Impressive Falls

Downstream of the falls

Chippewa Park campground entrance

We are staying at a municipal campground in Thunder Bay called Chippewa Park Campground. I had read a warning about the James Street bridge being too narrow to cross when pulling an RV but Google still routes us that way. Thankfully we see the bridge in time and there is a diversion road and we take the back road into the campground. Chris later reads about someone ripping their trailer apart when they tried to cross...who would do that??

Beautiful chairs at office entrance

The road in was long and super rough. We are beginning to wonder where the heck we are and are we even near Thunder Bay. We get checked in and head down to our site. 

Shores of Lake Superior? haha

Back in February when I was booking this campsite, the website talked about being on the shores of Lake Superior. It is a far cry from that as we appear to be on a lagoon off Lake Superior and we have yet to get a glimpse of the lake. All the rain that hit us yesterday afternoon clearly dumped here too and our booked site is very soggy. Thankfully we are able to move to higher ground. 

James Street Swing Bridge circa 1909

Chris ends up working for the afternoon and I do some much needed laundry as it's been over 2 weeks. 4 loads later we decide it's time to relax and head into Thunder Bay. 

This picture and next video is the CN James Street Swing Bridge that we were warned to avoid on our way into the campground if hauling the RV, which we did!! Later, without the RV, we have to pull the mirrors in on the truck and we literally have about a foot on each side. Takes focus to get us over safely and we find Thunder Bay. 

Colorful cans of craft beer from Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. 

This city looks like it has seen better days. Where we dive, the homes are very old and fairly run down. We head to Sleeping Giant Brewery for a pint and a pizza. The beer is good so we buy a six pack to go. 

CBS Thunder Bay :)

Not being used to another hour ahead, the day has gotten away on us and we are tired. We stop for a new BBQ cover for our bikes...sadly ours was gone when we arrived at Chippewa campground :(

I spy Canadian Blood Services across the street from where we stop and feel nostalgic about my past employer. What a wonderful organization that saves lives everyday. Missing my past donors :)

Wondering a bit if this is all Thunder Bay (TBay nickname) has to offer we head home as it's late. Hopefully we discover its gems tomorrow.