Kenora, Ontario day trip + Rushing River hike/swim

It rained heavy overnight and continues this morning so we relax and get things done in the RV.

Around noon it stops raining and we head into Kenora for a few hours to check it out. We were fortunate in Manitoba as there were really only 2 bad days of smoke where a mask was needed...but I also think we had forgotten how blue the sky really is due to continual mild smoke.

Kenora City Hall

This appears to be a very nice place with a lot of old original buildings dating from around 1910.

Kenora street with Kenricia Hotel on the right

MS Kenora still offers daily trips on  Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods Museaum - The Muse

We pop into The Muse - Lake of the Woods Museum for some intel on local history. 

Ojibwe bead work - so skillful

There are lots of nice displays and information on the original inhabitants of the Kenora area, the Ojibwe people. Also known as Anishinaabe, they have a long history of living in the area. 

Birch bark canoe

Treaty 3 was signed near here in October 1873

Chris takes the helm of The Argyle - ferry boat that once operated

Original ships and boating revolved around steamships and ferries playing a crucial role in transportation and commerce.

Original hockey mask and other sporting goods

The first hockey team in Kenora, then known as Rat Portage, was formed around 1891. The team was called the Thistles, and they later gained fame for winning the Stanley Cup in 1907....our Stanley Cup has been going on a long time :)  We are actually shocked at the number of sporting teams that were in the area that long ago. 

I notice the author on this book is Carl G Linde  My dad was G Linde. Kind of cool.

G Linde - thought of you dad :)

The Boathouse Lakeside Grill

We want a water front restaurant for lunch and come across The Boathouse Lakeside Grill.  

Lobster bisque

The lobster bisque is delicious as are the freshly caught fish and chips. It's a very nice spot we highly recommend.

Blue skies on the Boathouse Lakeside Grill patio

Street flags in town

We learned in the Muse museum that Kenora was originally named 'Rat Portage' due to its location near a portage route named by the Ojibwe people, which meant 'portage to the country of the muskrats'. The town's name was changed after amalgamating with the neighboring towns of Keewatin and Norman. The new name, Kenora, was formed by combining the first two letters of each of those towns: Keewatin, Norman and Rat Portage. Rat Portage officially became Kenora in 1905.

As we walk back to where the truck is parked, there are nice murals along the way. 

Our truck in downtown Kenora

Huskie the Muskie

Next we head to McLeod Park and search out 'Huskie the Muskie", a 12 meter (40 foot) tall sculpture of a muskellunge fish, also known as a muskie. Muskies are large freshwater fish and the Ontario record for a caught muskie is 29.5 kilos (65 pounds)

The Goodwill Geyser in Lake of the Woods

In behind Huskie is the Goodwill Geyser, which is meant as a visual reminder of the importance of Lake of the Woods to Kenora and its residents. 

Fun women's bathroom  Lumber Janes

Back at Rushing River campground we decide to hike the Lower Rapids trail loop and have a swim. It's just a short little 2km loop but the swimming rewards are stellar. 

Complete with cute boardwalks and bridges through the thick bush. 

The river has a series of rapids and cascades, which are particularly nice where they flow over rounded rocks carved by glaciers. So beautiful. 

The Rushing River

Ready for a dip?

Refreshed from a swim in the pool behind us

Walking back to our campsite from swimming

Back home after a really great day out and about. Signing out :)