Lake Superior Circle Tour Day 1: Driving North

 This is a trip I have wanted to do for a long time. I came back to the idea in February when I had to accept that I didn’t have the time or the money to go anywhere overseas. But 2023 is supposed to be the year for an international trip. We (or I guess it was just me, seeing how things turned out) planned to save for ten years and then go somewhere fantastic: Iceland, Finland, Japan, Egypt…somewhere like that. So Plan B was required. Canada is international and I have never spent significant time there. That checks the box. Let’s go!

This morning I packed the car, took out the trash, forgot to start the dishwasher, and left home about 8 am.

There were thunderstorms last night, that actually woke me briefly. This morning there was dense fog most of the day. It made the driving a little less interesting than it usually is, since I couldn’t see much scenery. I stopped for lunch in Mackinaw City, then crossed the Mighty Mac in a cloud. Couldn’t see the bridge, the water, or anything. An hour after that I was driving over the international bridge into Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

My first stop was at the SSM Canal National Historic Park. It was drizzly and the two young women at the visitors center sounded like they hadn’t seen many people all day. There were almost no cars in the lot. I got a map and my first two stamps on the Circle Tour collection. Then I explored the park.

Boardwalk through the wetland with the international bridge behind.

View of the rapids, but they aren’t visible.

Tour boats passing through the lock.

That’s not a tiny boat, but even this “small” lock is big.

I examined the lock, which is a small one not used by freighters, just recreational boats and the tour boats. I walked all around the island, from which one can normally view the Saint Mary’s rapids, but today it was just foggy water. And anyway the water level is so high right now you can’t see the rapids at all. I got a nice walk in.

Then I went to the Ontario Tourism Office, and the friendly women there loaded me up with maps and brochures. They reminded me that tomorrow is Canada Day! There is a festival all afternoon downtown and fireworks in the evening! 

I checked into my hotel, which turned out to be in an excellent location, about one block from the waterfront and on one of the main streets. It even has free parking under the building. While I was unloading my stuff, an actual motorcycle club drove in. There must be fifty bikes parked next to me and there are all these people in matching leather jackets in the hotel lobby! I haven’t yet been able to read the full name of their club but it’s the Canadian chapter of something.

I walked a few blocks to dinner at an Indian restaurant and then I walked along the waterfront. There is a very nice walkway with benches and occasional art pieces. Lots of people were out walking, biking, and picnicking. The sun came out! 

Statue of a SSM man who raced dogsleds.

Sculpture with hidden wind chimes that sounded very pretty.

View across the water at SSM, Michigan.

I did a ton of walking today, even though I spent five hours in the car. My step counter says almost 20,000 steps! I got some pretty Canadian money out of an ATM at the casino, and I’m feeling ready for tomorrow’s adventure, right after a good nights rest.