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 :)

Kenora + Rushing River Provincial Park, Ontario

On the road early today and we are a short 9kms drive south to the Trans-Canada Highway #1 heading east. When originally choosing our route through Saskatchewan and Manitoba, we deliberately stayed off the Trans-Canada and experienced a more mid provinces, back roads route. Well, here we are actually being forced onto this highway as there are no other options farther north...very remote and undeveloped north of us. 

 

Ontario - our 5th province

Down the Trans-Canada 10kms or so and we are crossing the border into Ontario :) 

Unlike Manitoba where we didn't even know we had crossed into the province, two different signs welcome us to Ontario...lol

In case we missed the first welcome to Ontario sign :)

Soon we are into Lake of the Woods, which is over 110 kms long and wide, containing more than 14,552 islands. It is absolutely gorgeous! It is lake after lake after lake...or is it island after island after island? A picture can't even grasp what we see. 

We arrive in Kenora and think this must be a nice place to live. The next few hours are spent running errands like getting groceries etc. We plan to come back here tomorrow so don't look around too much. 

Train trestle on Tunnel Island

In the afternoon we decide to do the Wasay-ga-bo Tunnel Island Trail. It's about a 6 km loop with views of the Lake of the Woods. 

Lake of the Woods - Canadian Shield rocks

Spirit Tree 

Huge cuts through solid granite rock

As we drive east out of Kenora, we are thinking that being in the Canadian Shield creates challenges with respect to building a highway. The cuts they have to make through the solid granite rock are crazy. 

We safely arrive at Rushing River Provincial Park to get set up for a couple days.

Rushing River Provincial Park, Ontario

Huge site at Rushing River campground

Just as the sun is setting we walk over to Dogtooth Lake for a refreshing swim. Even Chris joins this time. It is wonderful to say the least after a fairly warm (29 celcius), humid day. 

We read and relax for the evening. Chris loves his little bar lights and candles in the picture. Our little RV is nothing fancy but it is so well built and practical. So comfy for us...a true home. 

Kayaking the Caddy Lake Tunnels route in Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba

The main event for today is to kayak the Caddy Lake Tunnels route that Chris read about many months ago and the reason we booked this campsite. It's a popular day trip and part of a longer 169 km loop through Whiteshell Provincial Park.

Train track over our route

Here's a 1 minute video clip through the tunnel!

Tunnel blown through solid granite rock

The tunnels were created during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway when they blasted through solid granite rock to connect Caddy Lake with South Cross Lake. Apparently due to the swampy terrain, the tunnels manage water flow and prevent flooding. 

Light at the end of the tunnel - literally :)

Cool inside the tunnel

We paddle around the other side for awhile and then find a nice solid rock for lunch and relax in the sun.

Lunch and reading spot.

There is another tunnel about 5km farther along but we are good with seeing one. Our paddle will be about 6 or 7 kms already so we pass on adding another 10+ kms including return distance. 

Chris heading home

Back through the tunnel from the opposite direction.

We really take our time paddling back to the campsite and enjoy the scenery. Sheila is in her happy spot sitting in the lily pads :)

Buttercup standing tall

Sheila sitting in the lily pads

White Lily 

The rest of the day is spent chilling around the park. We are leaving early tomorrow so we pack everything away tonight. 

Nutimik Lake to Caddy Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba

After lunch we hike a portion of the Whiteshell River Bridge trail. Just at the bridge there is signage that this bridge was built in 2010 as part of the plan of the Trans-Canada Trail. This is the bridge we kayaked under last night :)

Whiteshell River Bridge

Betty the Betula Rock Snake

On our way again we stop at the small town of Betula to take on drinking water. This cute snake welcomes us near the water tap. Of course Sheila adds a couple rocks to her tail to make her grow :)

Bridge crossing the Whiteshell River

On our way to Caddy Lake the road is super narrow and rough. We cross the Whiteshell River farther along it's route. Good thing we don't meet anyone while going over the bridge.

The road is very scenic as it winds through Whiteshell Provincial Park and we pass lake after lake after lake. We drive a potion of the original Historic Highway 1, which was the route before the current Trans-Canada highway was established. It has since been renamed highway 44

We safely get to Caddy Lake but our reserved campsite is slanted down so bad at the back our trailer will be on the ground at the hitch to make it level. Thankfully there are many other sites. 

Screened bug net is awesome

The rock has huge colorful stripes through it and it sure makes the waters edge scenic.

Caddy Lake

After supper we head out on our bikes. First we find a nice forested trail and ride that for a bit. 

Chris heading into the woods.

Playful deer on the route - no fear at all 

Sheila on the Blue Highway

Then we get on the Blue Highway, which is part of the Trans-Canada trail  Wow, it's a slab rock trail up and over a reasonable hill. Really unique ride over the huge rocks. 

Chris getting to the top

My boys would be proud of me riding this trail

Back to our campsite for a few songs on the guitar and then the daily dishes. No dishwasher on board the RV :)