22-23 June - Thunder Bay onwards...

After getting back from our cruise on the M. S. Kenora, we drove for a couple of hours out of Kenora along the Trans Canada to a Rest Stop iOverlander had identified for us. It was a great place with latrines and picnic tables just beside a beautiful body of water.

We rested well and enjoyed watching the loons (5) and dragon flies in the morning. 

On our drive when we feel we've talked ourselves out, we listen to a book on tape and this time it is a long one by one of our favorite authors who makes us laugh and keeps us engaged. 

Our destination was Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park.

The actual Kakabeka Falls are known as the "Niagara of the North and are the second-highest in Ontario (after Niagara Falls), offering a powerful cascade and a dramatic gorge carved by meltwater. 

It's easily accessible with viewing platforms on both sides. We were there during the golden hour of the sunset. I had hoped to photograph in the early morning as well, but the clouds prevailed!

The falls also have significant geological and cultural importance, with ancient fossils found in the rocks. They are named "Kakabeka" from the Ojibwe word meaning "waterfall over a cliff," and are part of a local legend about Princess Green Mantle, who is said to have sacrificed herself to save her people.

We enjoyed an amazing couple of hours at the Mission Marsh Conservation Area, an area that is part of Thunder Bay. The City has created this space as a place for birds and for people to come and relax. We came across a conference of pelicans which were fascinating to photograph! 

There were groups of outliers who came and went, demonstrating incredible formation skills and touchdowns in the water!

Some of us did not need a long lens between us and the birds to enjoy the environment!

When we checked the weather forecast for the rest of the day and evening, there was a prediction of heavy rain and possibly hail, so we decided we needed to leave the area. iOverlander came up with a place that was outside this bad weather area so we drove until evening arriving at Terrace Bay Beach, a beautiful developed beach area that even had latrines. Unfortunately, mosquitos (that don't carry malaria) owned the area so we did not take time in the morning to make our hot drinks and just departed.

As the day wore on we noted the increasing heat and humidity until we finally broke down and booked a hotel in Sault Ste Marie that had a swimming pool and AC. When we arrived we were told that the pool was closed for repairs so they upgraded our room to a "suite" which essentially meant a bigger room with a couch, desk and bed....and 8' ceilings!!