Canada - Lake Superior Circle Tour

  So part of the "Lake Superior Grand Circle Tour" is going into Canada.  Major fear factor arises.  We've never taken our "home" into Canada, just a regular vehicle.  Check and double check the requirements of what not allowed into Canada.  I worried about my house plants because they  consist of a cactus and 2 succulents - not typical plants for the Canada terrain.  Luckily, they didn't ask about any plants so I didn't offer.  They asked about firearms and weapons - none of those onboard, so we're good.  There was the Bear Spray we purchased in Wyoming last year but I don't know where I put it.  I knew it was somewhere inside the RV.  You would think that living in 440 square feet it wouldn't be that hard to find, but you get real creative with storage.  I did find it the day before entering Canada and put it in a cupboard I would remember, incase they questioned that type of item.  No questions, so Bear Spray stays onboard in the cupboard.  Canada has bears too, as we found out.

 Driving on back roads to find different waterfalls and points of interest we saw a large black blob on the side of the road, up ahead.  I quick turned on my camera and "thought" I had hit the record button but did not :>((((  So when we got up the figure, I realized my error and was able to get a few pictures and video of Mama bear chasing her cubs up a tree and she stayed "on guard" at the base grunting and "huffing" non-stop.  It was the best part of the trip.  So glad we were "in the right place at the right time".  It was awesome.  Mama's whether bear or human protect their babies!  It felt good to see a true Canadian
goose, in Canada!  They poop, EVERYWHERE, just like they do in the states.  So the "thrill" stopped pretty quick.  Wiping your feet for goose poop is disgusting.

 We stayed at Fort William Historical Park in their campground. Toured the "Fort" onsite and learned a lot about the War of 1812, but from the Canadian side.  It was really neat to see the fur trade business that Canada had in the 1800's and early 1900's.  I am surprised that any fur bearing animals still exist up here.  It was also eye opening to hear the history from another side of the story and needed to keep our mouth shut when they interpreted the United States input into the War and effects.  OK, just nod your head, listen, and walk away........

 They had some really neat reinactments and shot off a canon a few times.  Back at the campground, a few days later, we heard the "boom" and knew just what was going on in the Fort. All of the employees were in era clothing and acted the part perfectly.  We got a tour from the Fort doctor who told us all about his endeavors in taking care of the people within the Fort in 1812.  The Indian compound, outside the Fort was great.  In Canada, they call them Aborigines or First Nation, not Indians. They were cooking fry bread on an open fire.  We were invited into their Wigwam to have a seat on the Buffalo fur on the floor.  They lived in a Wigwam that is branch framed and covered with Birch bark.  Versus a Teepee that is covered in animal hides.  They lay evergreen branches on the floor, which keep out the mice and snakes that hate the texture.  Then animal furs on top for comfort.  It was really interesting!

This was Kakabeka Falls outside of Thunder Bay.
They have beautiful trails and boardwalks around the falls and very educational Visitor Centers within the Providence.  My summation of Canada (Ontario) is trees and water and more of the same.  Unless you are in a large city, it is ALOT of wilderness.  Don't take me wrong, I loved being out in the wilderness and the beauty but I also love to have cell phone and internet access.  Didn't happen outside of the city of Thunder Bay, until we reentered the U.S. Good thing my online teaching was on a summer vacation so I didn't need to check in.  We just shut our cell phones off before we entered, due to the $3.00 a day fee and extras for every text and huge minute fees for calls. 

This was "Sleeping Giant Provencial Park" across the bay, outside of Thunder Bay.  Can you see his head to the left, chest and long legs?  They had one store on the peninsula that was an existing 200 year old store, including slanted wooden floors. (and dust just as old).  You know it's not good when they stock 2 cans of each type of vegetable and more trinket stuff then food.  Must be the sellers demand?  We drove to the top of Mount McKay Lookout. Beautiful view of the bay with all the huge ships and Thunder Bay itself.  The view around the big lake was beautiful and so untouched.

The roads are very well maintained.  We were expected "Ice Road Truckers" style with all the pot holes and roller coaster style roads we saw on TV of Ontario.  Must be in the northern more unpopulated areas.  Only a few major roads throughout the Providence, the rest are all gravel or dirt.  We stuck to the major paved road with the RV.  The truck did a bit of gravel roading and did just fine.  No tow truck needed !!    Saw Moose Crossing signs every few miles.  These signs show a stampeding, fast running moose.  In the U.S. our moose signs show a nice calm, standing moose.  We must have mellower moose in the U.S.?    Unfortunately, we never saw a moose, but we also avoided traveling after dark, and supposedly that is when they move about more.  At least we didn't have to explain any more damage to our vehicle from a moose accident.  All along the roadway we kept seeing these piles of rocks along the road.  Found out they are called Inukshuk's. A First Nation stone landmark meaning "the way of the people".  Kind of like an early human form of leaving bread crumbs or showing directions for the next guy.  They are used more in the Canadian tundra where there are no trees or other landmarks to help guide humans.
We also got to see many waterfalls and canyons.  They do not mark them as well as most.  You need to talk to the locals and find out the directions.  "Go to the top of the hill by the construction crane, look for a pull off on the left, and go to the left of the posts.  Follow the dirt trail 'a ways' and you'll find it".    Glad we're heading back into the U.S. soon, but now Iam stressed about what the U.S. will ask and look for, as we enter HOME.  "No weapons"  we're good, "Welcome back to the United States".  Yahhhhhhh.