Cyclists from the USA @ Old Woman Bay Hike + Pancake Bay

Victor, Dave, Lucas and Chris

Our first stop of the day is at The Old Woman Bay hike just south of Wawa. Chris spies these 3 cyclists and offers to make them a coffee. Two take him up on the offer and next we know we are chatting up a storm. Turns out they are Americans traveling across Canada. Apparently a year or so back they biked across the USA but would get things thrown at them, sworn at or honked viciously at. They love biking in Canada as everyone is always asking if they can help or make them a coffee. We really enjoyed hearing about their travels. Victor is 71, Dave is 60 and Luca about mid 30's. They hope to get to Nova Scotia in the end. 

Starting to get views

We head off on our hike of The Old Woman Bay. The trail winds up and up through thick bush and eventually offers great views of Lake Superior and the Old Woman Bay. 

Lake Superior and Old Woman Bay

Nokomis, an Ojibwa elder is said to be looking over the Southern Great Lakes forest merging with the Northern Boreal forest. 

Old Woman face looking out on Lake Superior

American cyclists going across Canada

As we drive on we pass our cyclist friends and we give them a few gentle welcoming toots and waves. I also take a picture of them riding on the highway, a perspective they wouldn't get. We exchanged emails so I was able to send it to them. 

Bathtub Island in the distance

We make a stop at Bathtub Island. Years ago we are told you could walk out to it. Unsure if the water is much higher or if sand has been washed away but it would require a pretty good swim to get out there. It is tempting but we are wearing shorts and t-shirts expecting to be able to walk out. The rock formations and slabs just beneath the water are gorgeous and it's a great spot to hang out for awhile. 

Pancake Bay Provincial Park

Check-in time at Ontario provincial parks is 2pm. We arrive just before 3, our earliest check in yet.

Pancake Bay beach - fantastic sand

We only have one night here and we have heard it is a  beautiful beach so we waste no time getting down there.

Chris swimming in Lake Superior

Chris is the first to head in for a swim. It's actually much warmer than expected so we both enjoy the lovely cooling water on this rather warm, humid day. 

Sheila way out in the water - see the red arrow?

Beach tent works well

We brought along our beach tent. This has been with us since our boating days on Tioga.  What a great thing for the beach. Late in the day we head back to our site and chill for the rest of the night. 

That's another day gone by :)