2019 Sept Lake Superior Loop Motorcycle Tour - (Day 2, Sun Sept 1)
Chuck Knodt was a great influence to my planning for this trip. On Chuck's second day he left Grand Marais, MN and stopped for the night in Terrace Bay Ont. He exchanged US currency for Canada at Rydens, just south of the border crossing. He also visited the Terry Fox Memorial in Thunder Bay. Two stern warnings from Chuck today: Get gas before you leave town! Don't go on gravel roads....
There is no place to eat breakfast in Beaver Bay, unless you call coffee and a danish from a gas station breakfast. So we loaded up the trailer, climbed on board the bike and headed up to Grand Marais for breakfast. For breakfast, we stopped at the Blue Water Cafe. LoriAnn had walleye for breakfast and loved it. Afterwards we walked around the bay and took some photos.
From Grand Marais we headed up to the city of Grand Portage. The air had some chill in it, and the clouds were hanging low. Outside of Grand Portage we stopped at an overlook for pictures.
Then we stopped at Ryden's Border Store. Ryden's is just before you get the the border and has been recommended as a place to get gas and exchange your currency. We had plenty of gas to get to Thunder Bay, so we just exchanged my US Currency for some Canadian Cash.
Why is it that, border crossings always raises a persons adrenaline. Our last time at this crossing we were given some minor grief; something about LoriAnn getting off the bike, and having to take our helmets off. Without guns, or illegal drugs and with a clean driving record and passports in hand a person shouldn't have any concerns. On this crossing, we didn't know how we would be treated, so our senses were on overload. But this crossing was a breeze.
There are a lot of sites to see between the border crossing and Thunder Bay. For example; Kakabeka Falls is about 20 miles west of town. But since we had been there before we didn't go there this trip. However, I wanted to see some of the sights of Thunder Bay, so I drove through town. Sadly, like most of my other attempts to see the hi-lights of any town, I ventured into the industrial area. Believe me when I say that LoriAnn and I have seen a lot of industrial parts of the towns we have visited. Here in Thunder Bay, it was the same thing. Still, one of the coolest things we saw was the old CN railroad station. Maybe one of the next times in town we will actually tour it!
As we were leaving town we stopped at the Terry Fox memorial. Terrance Stanley Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated due to cancer, he embarked on an east to west cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. I was warned about a gravel road to get to the memorial. Being over cautious, all I found was nice paved asphalt. At the top of the memorial was a great overlook of Thunder Bay and a great tribute to Terry Fox.
From Thunder Bay we road in rain to Terrace Bay. Riding in the rain on a motorcycle always has its challenges. Thankfully, there was very little traffic. There was some road construction, where they were widening the road. But with the rain, we just plowed ahead, making only one stop to get gas.
There is no place to eat breakfast in Beaver Bay, unless you call coffee and a danish from a gas station breakfast. So we loaded up the trailer, climbed on board the bike and headed up to Grand Marais for breakfast. For breakfast, we stopped at the Blue Water Cafe. LoriAnn had walleye for breakfast and loved it. Afterwards we walked around the bay and took some photos.
Prior to crossing into Canada, we stopped at the Grand Portage visitor center. To American Indians, voyageurs and fur traders in the 1700s, the natural features of the area were an awesome sight. Travelers and traders were faced with a 120-foot waterfall, the thundering rapids of the Pigeon River, cliffs, and rocky terrain that was impossible to cross. The only option was to go around these obstacles. The nine-mile trek became known as "The Grand Portage" and ultimately gave the area its name.
Why is it that, border crossings always raises a persons adrenaline. Our last time at this crossing we were given some minor grief; something about LoriAnn getting off the bike, and having to take our helmets off. Without guns, or illegal drugs and with a clean driving record and passports in hand a person shouldn't have any concerns. On this crossing, we didn't know how we would be treated, so our senses were on overload. But this crossing was a breeze.
There are a lot of sites to see between the border crossing and Thunder Bay. For example; Kakabeka Falls is about 20 miles west of town. But since we had been there before we didn't go there this trip. However, I wanted to see some of the sights of Thunder Bay, so I drove through town. Sadly, like most of my other attempts to see the hi-lights of any town, I ventured into the industrial area. Believe me when I say that LoriAnn and I have seen a lot of industrial parts of the towns we have visited. Here in Thunder Bay, it was the same thing. Still, one of the coolest things we saw was the old CN railroad station. Maybe one of the next times in town we will actually tour it!
As we were leaving town we stopped at the Terry Fox memorial. Terrance Stanley Fox was a Canadian athlete, humanitarian, and cancer research activist. In 1980, with one leg having been amputated due to cancer, he embarked on an east to west cross-Canada run to raise money and awareness for cancer research. I was warned about a gravel road to get to the memorial. Being over cautious, all I found was nice paved asphalt. At the top of the memorial was a great overlook of Thunder Bay and a great tribute to Terry Fox.
From Thunder Bay we road in rain to Terrace Bay. Riding in the rain on a motorcycle always has its challenges. Thankfully, there was very little traffic. There was some road construction, where they were widening the road. But with the rain, we just plowed ahead, making only one stop to get gas.
After 140 miles riding in the rain we pulled into Terrance Bay, ON. I booked us a room at the Drifters motel, because they have a restaurant connected to the Motel. Because this was Labor Day weekend, the restaurants kitchen was partially closed. The bar was open and we could buy bar food, but we couldn't order anything off the menu. We pieced together a few appetizers to fill our stomachs and retreated in the rain to the room for the night.
Today we traveled over 272 miles!
In the next post; We starve (OK not really), we go to a couple of beaches, visit a water falls and learn about the origin of Pooh bear. Come back.
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