Summer plans, part 9: Back through Ontario

Part 1 - The prep

Part 2 - The trip west

Part 3 - Okanagan

Part 4 - Smithers

Part 5 - Eastbound

Part 6 - The badlands

Part 7 - Saskatchewan & Manitoba

Part 8 - Assiniboine Park Zoo

Part 9 - Back through Ontario

Our short stay in Winnipeg was over. We made our way to the Forks Market for a peek and a quick breakfast, then took a little eight-hour drive to Thunder Bay.

In Thunder Bay, we had booked the seedy 2-star Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel in a lousy part of town. It had very few redeeming qualities. We found a restaurant down the street, where we were seated at an outdoor patio next to the sidewalk. A homeless guy decided we were worth talking to, so we didn't get a whole lot of quiet time. I tried to buy him dinner; actually I did, but he was gone when his food arrived and still gone when we departed, so I can only hope he came around to collect his free meal.

Waterfront view but no access, as the walkway was closed.

Anyway, if you're in Thunder Bay, I wouldn't suggest this hotel. Lily and I did better tenting 45 minutes away at Kakabeka Falls park a month earlier. I guess if that was among the worst of our summer experiences, we can count ourselves blessed.

Then it was off to Wawa, less than six hours down Highway 17. Halfway there, we stopped for lunch at Pebble Beach in the town of Marathon. Can't say I understand why they named the beach after pebbles.

Beach of giant pebbles

Once we reached Wawa, we had a job to do: find lodging! This was one of the few times we were winging it, and we hoped we could find a place easily enough. Well, that turned out not to be the case. We called or visited every motel around, but everything was full. We went on to Lake Superior Provincial Park, but it too had nothing for that night. So back we went to Wawa and finally found a private campground where we could rent a little bunkhouse, basically a shed with a few beds. This was one step up from camping and didn't cost much more, so we happily took it.

The next morning we headed a little ways down the highway to Lake Superior Provincial Park. Carrie has always wanted to do some hiking along the shoreline, so that was our plan for the day. We got a couple hours of hiking in.

The trail wended in and out of the forest.

Boardwalks kept us dry.

Once we were done with exercise, we headed to the campground to find our spot for the night. This one we had booked in advance. Strangely, things seemed pretty booked up online, but there were a ton of empty campsites to be seen.

Giant beaches. These were more pebbly.

Drinking tomato soup for supper.

Chillin'

After a night of camping, it was finally time to get home. We drove 10 hours with hardly any breaks. Turns out this driver needs more pee breaks than his wife and daughters; they do make great travel companions, even if I don't haha!

Donut break.

And then it was done. Lily and I spent just shy of six weeks away, Carrie and Nora a little less. The Suburban was of course the ultimate road trip vehicle, and we put on 12,000 km with nary a hiccup. I would totally do this again.