A Trip to Thunder Bay and a Decade of Memories

“If you have a travel blog, why do you keep coming to Thunder Bay,” asked the border guard. That kind of question caught me off guard a little bit, but it made me think. Why do I keep coming back to Thunder Bay? This year will be ten years since I first started coming there.

I discovered Thunder Bay as more of an accident of geography. It’s basically the closest Canadian city to where I lived in Wisconsin. My first trip there was about as impulsive as you could get. I was hanging out with a buddy in Duluth. We were bored and driving around. We were driving MN-61 when we saw a sign stating how far it was to the Canadian border.

Despite not having passports, we decided to drive there. If anything, we could say we made it to the border. We were surprised when they let us in. I mean, the sign just stated something about photo identification. It seemed our driver’s licenses would be sufficient. For Canada, they were, and we had an exciting adventure. You can read about that adventure here.

I always find it cool to discover new places. Thunder Bay is culturally similar to Wisconsin in many cases, but it’s still a different country. There were many other nuances to discover. I made sure to get a passport, and then I started visiting more.

Every visit, I learned more stuff. I eventually made some friends. When I started this blog, I posted my adventures in a group called “Thunder Bay Memories.” Before you know it, my biggest cluster of followers was in Thunder Bay. This remained true until my Facebook page got hacked.

Thunder Bay felt more like a home away from home with every visit. I’d always make sure to reach out to my friends and include them in my adventures. I soon became familiar with the area and found some of my favorite spots. I always looked forward to my trips. I used to try to visit once every couple of months. Now that I’m married and have a son, I don’t visit as often, but I try to visit once a year.

My first visit was in 2013. It’s crazy that it’s now been ten years. I’ve seen a lot of changes. On this particular trip, I decided to try to pay close attention to those changes. I’d compare them to what I currently see.

At my current job, I am done with work at noon on Fridays. I used to be able to start my weekends early and leave for my trips. This is no longer the case since I have to pick up Austin from daycare around 5 PM.

If you’ve followed my adventures for a while, you’ve probably noticed an evolution in how I travel. When I first started traveling like I do, I could easily get up and go almost whenever. Now there are a few more constraints, but I’ve evolved my style to work around them.

One way of evolving is that I take a nap on Fridays right after work. I may not be able to get an early start to the weekend, but I can bank up some much-needed rest. I’m always on the go while traveling, so any extra rest is useful.

I took my nap and then picked up Austin. I have to wait for Victoria to come home before I can leave. I flipped on the 5 o’clock news. I wanted to see the weather, especially since I knew there’d be storms.

Weather forecast on TV showing meteorologist presenting First Alert Weather with radar map displaying rain and snow patterns across Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois

After Victoria came home, I said goodbye and put my bag in the car. I built out this backpack to try on my trip.

Tactical backpacks and travel bags packed in vehicle back seat with water bottle

Close-up of tactical bag compartments showing gray pouches and a yellow accessory pouch

I also brought some CDs to listen to in the car.

Worn tablet or electronic device case with dusty surface showing signs of travel use

The first thing I’d listen to for the night is the Packer’s first preseason game. Driving the whole length of Wisconsin, I could always find a local channel with the game.

Car infotainment display showing Packers radio station FM 99.9, temperature of 88°F, and time 6:12

I took US-12 to the interstate. It was definitely starting to cloud up.

Highway view from driver's seat showing Highway 112 sign under partly cloudy skies with rolling hills

I eventually got a text alert about a severe thunderstorm watch.

iPhone lock screen at 7:15 PM on Friday, August 11, displaying Dane County severe thunderstorm watch notification

The weather didn’t start getting bad until Tomah. Then it got kind of nasty.

Nighttime highway driving with ominous dark storm clouds overhead and highway exit signs illuminated

Eventually, I could see some of the sunset in the distance.

Dramatic dusk highway scene with dark storm clouds and orange sunset glow on horizon

After a long drive, I made it to Superior and stopped for gas and a quick snack.

Kwik Trip convenience store exterior at night, brightly lit with distinctive peaked roof architecture

Wrapped convenience store cheeseburger with label showing "Cheeseburger On A White Bun Sandwich"

I was soon in Minnesota, and it would be a long drive up MN-61.

Dark rural highway at night with headlights illuminating the road ahead

The nice thing is there was very little traffic. Typically, you get stuck behind slowpokes, but they were all in bed. I eventually made it to a rest stop and called it a night.

Nearly black nighttime image with minimal distant lights visible

As you can see, it was dark at the rest stop. It is an old pit toilet with few lights around. It did make it easy to fall asleep. I slept a few hours, and it was slightly lighter when I woke up.

Silhouettes of trees against dark blue twilight sky

I know I had taken pictures previously at Chicago Bay. The first time was in 2020. This was when the border was closed, and I visited my Canadian friends from across the river. The weather was much different then.

2023:

Lake Superior rocky shoreline with driftwood logs, small red building visible, overcast foggy conditions

2020:

Same Lake Superior location in bright sunshine with sparkling water and clear blue sky

2023:

Concrete pier extending into misty Lake Superior with rocky shores and low visibility

2020:

Same concrete pier in clear weather with blue water and sunny skies

The rest of the drive to the border was pretty soggy overall.

Rainy highway driving with heavy rain on windshield obscuring visibility

One thing I do is fill up before I hit the border. Even with the exchange rate, gas is still about $1 a gallon more.

Gas pump with both American and Canadian flags displayed, wet pavement from recent rain

I ran into issues with my credit card that would foreshadow the rest of the weekend. The pump kept asking for a PIN despite this being a credit card. Luckily, I could fill up and then pay inside.

Tim Hortons restaurant exterior with wet parking lot after rainfall, surrounded by trees

I mentioned this to the cashier, and he said, “Oh, you must have a Mastercard.” I did have a Mastercard. It sounds like this was a common issue, but my card worked inside, so I didn’t think anything of it (more on that later).

After filling up, I headed for the border. There wasn’t anyone crossing when I did, so I was able to drive right up to the booth. I got a few more questions than usual. One including the question I mentioned above about why I keep coming to Thunder Bay. After a few minutes of questioning, I was good to go, and now in Canada!

Ontario Highway 61 North road sign on wet pavement with forested area in background

On my first trip to Thunder Bay, my GPS only worked in the USA. I also did not have a map. I just knew Highway 61 took me to Thunder Bay. I drove until I saw a sign that said, “Thunder Bay Downtown via Arthur St.”

Blue directional sign reading "Thunder Bay Downtown Via Arthur St." against partly cloudy sky

This sign pointed me to civilization, and Arthur Street is where I start my routine in Thunder Bay. One element I did add was getting local currency from an ATM. My debit card can be iffy, but this TD ATM always works.

TD Canada Trust ATM kiosk with green and dark branding, A&W restaurant visible in background

I also like that I can choose bill denominations from the machine.

ATM screen displaying cash withdrawal interface showing $100 CAD total with Canadian flag icon

I’ll typically get $100 in the nicely colored Canadian money.

Hand holding multiple Canadian dollar bills in various denominations inside vehicle near door controls

The first stop on my first trip was the Metro grocery store. I usually leave this until the last stop before heading for the border. I always like to get some Canadian groceries not available in the USA. For this trip, I stopped there first to get some snacks.

Metro grocery store exterior featuring modern curved glass facade with wet parking lot and parked vehicles

Grocery store "Locally Sourced" product display with red signage promoting Lakehead Region local products

One big difference I’ve seen is that grocery stores can now sell beer. When I first started coming to Thunder Bay, this was not allowed yet.

Grocery store refrigerated beverage section with beer coolers and Halls cough drops display visible

I picked up a few snacks. There was a line at the open register, so I went to the self-checkout. I scanned everything and went to insert my card. DECLINED! OK. That was odd. I have a recurring travel alert on both my credit card and debit card. They are both through the same credit union. The debit card just worked at the ATM a few minutes ago.

I tried my debit card, and it wouldn’t work. I thought there might be an issue with the self-checkout. I canceled my order and went into the regular checkout line. After waiting a bit, it was my turn. DECLINED! Now this was getting annoying. I ended up paying with the cash I had just gotten out of the ATM.

My next stop was going to be McDonald’s for breakfast. This was the same McDonald’s I stopped at on my first trip.

Modern McDonald's restaurant with distinctive red vertical tower featuring golden arches and McCafé signage

Of course, my card was declined yet again! I can’t use cash as much here due to self-order kiosks. However, despite McDonald’s operating independently in Canada, my McDonald’s app worked here. I purchased my breakfast and went to the pickup counter.

Credit card transaction receipt showing declined Mastercard purchase attempt for $7.85

After eating, I went to one of my favorite places, a gas station called Midway. Not all gas stations are made equally. I’d argue these are the best small-town gas stations I’ve been to.

Rural gas station with fuel pumps and small white service building under cloudy sky

They have items like Hawkins Cheezies, Humpty Dumpty chips, and local beef jerky. Yes, I have a soft spot for beef jerky. You can also get walleye there, a common local fish.

Close-up of beef jerky or meat stick resting on wooden railing with blurred background

I then got back onto Highway 61 and stopped at a rest area.

Wooden picnic tables at rest area with scenic view of large body of water and distant shoreline

I passed the township of Nipigon.

Bilingual municipal sign reading "Township of/Canton de Nipigon Population 1700" with grass field behind

Not much longer, I found the general store.

General Store storefront with green lettering, cluttered window displays featuring various merchandise and decorations

This store is the Buc-ee’s of Thunder Bay (that is, if you grew up in the Great Plains and went to the Badlands before going to Wisconsin Dells). The store is nothing special, but the Nipigon sign is legendary. It’s kind of like a bathroom log that’s in a public place. What struck me about this sign is that everything was in order. Contrary to popular belief, Canadians do not actually live in igloos. They do have highways.

Two people signing large white poster board covered with visitor signatures and messages at store entrance

I passed through Nipigon and then made it to Red Rock, Ontario.

Small town parking lot with several vehicles parked near commercial building with covered porch

I stopped for some poutine with jalapeños.

Plate of loaded poutine with fries, gravy, cheese curds, jalapeños and sauce drizzles

Red Rock has a few interesting places. I like this building.

Commercial building with corrugated metal siding, adjacent structure features clothing store mural with vintage truck

I got some more beef jerky. For $13.99 CAD for two bags, it was a heck of a deal.

Hand holding two black foil packages of "TEXAS Original" beef jerky with gold-framed labels showing 110g weight

Then I stopped at the Beer Store. The Beer Store is a massive network of government-operated beer and cider stores. They’re basically state-run breweries that existed before prohibition in Wisconsin.

Corrugated metal commercial building with wooden entrance stairs, Beer Store sign visible, red pickup truck parked outside under cloudy sky

Extensive wall display of beer bottles arranged in rows on white slatwall shelving, showcasing diverse beer selection

Self-serve beer store checkout area with green corrugated counter, point-of-sale terminal behind protective glass, "Discover a world of beer" signage

I was intrigued about Sleeman. Sleeman is a beer company in Canada and was founded by a bootlegger. During prohibition, many bootleggers set up shop in Canada.

Retail cooler advertising Sleeman Clear 2.0 beer at $45.50 for 24-can packs, displaying nutritional information of 80 calories and 2 grams of carbs

Soon after Red Rock, I came across Nipigon Bay. I pulled off to get some pictures.

Lake access area with concrete boat launch ramp, wooden dock, directional signage, forested hills across water under overcast sky

Wooden floating dock with view of marina containing multiple moored boats, forested shoreline in background, partly cloudy sky

From there, you could see a bridge called the Nipigon River Bridge. It’s notable as it is the only connection to Western Canada on the Trans-Canada Highway.

Large cable-stayed bridge with three prominent towers spanning across water body, forested shores visible on both sides, dramatic cloudy sky

I finally made it to Thunder Bay. The first place I went to was the Prince Arthur Hotel.

Multi-story hotel building with beige facade and teal accent trim, vintage architectural style, white sedan parked on street

I never stay here, but I heard it was redone. I always admired the Art Deco architecture.

Modern grey commercial building with large blue superhero cape art installation on exterior wall, adjacent residential-style building

I went in to have a look.

Contemporary hotel lobby featuring vibrant wildlife mural with deer and nature scenes, blue modular sofa with orange accent pillows, spiral staircase

Retro hotel lobby with black leather sofas, wood coffee table with plant centerpiece, vintage television on credenza, exposed brick wall

From the outside, you’d still recognize the Prince Arthur Hotel.

Historic Prince Arthur Hotel exterior, multi-story brick building with symmetrical window arrangement, modern entrance addition, stormy sky

After I was done touring the Prince Arthur Hotel, I checked into my hotel. I have stayed at many places in Thunder Bay. Looking at prices, I decided to stay at the Super 8.

Budget hotel room with queen bed, white quilted bedding, flat-screen TV on dresser, window-mounted air conditioner, grey curtains

Hotels are always exciting because they are some of the most impressive views.

Aerial view of Thunder Bay harbor with marina, railway tracks, Lake Superior waterfront, distant Sleeping Giant formation, threatening storm clouds overhead

One thing I learned to do is bring a trash can instead of a wastebasket.

Blue plastic recycling bin and black garbage bag lined trash can on hotel room carpet beside wooden dresser

I also make sure to have some fans when I travel. I plugged in many of my devices with an extension cord. I hate using the nightstand because I’m used to my setup at home.

Hotel nightstand setup with multi-device charging hub, Anker portable battery, Beskar clip-on fan with blue blades, lamp and tissues

After that, I decided to head into downtown Thunder Bay to see what I could find.

Vintage blue telephone booth on downtown sidewalk with hanging flower basket, concrete building facade, commercial district setting

Ground-level view of telephone booth beside Marcia's Merle Norman cosmetics studio storefront window displaying services and phone number 345-2119

Downtown Thunder Bay street intersection with pedestrian crosswalk, mixed commercial buildings, Travellers insurance office, overcast conditions

The cathedral was, as always, beautiful.

Large brick church with tall bell tower featuring white clock face, red entrance doors, multiple arched windows, vehicles parked in front, partly cloudy sky

I walked around and checked out what restaurants looked good.

Norteños Cantina storefront with light blue facade, large plate glass windows reflecting street, parking meters on sidewalk

Nighttime exterior of Sovereign restaurant/bar with illuminated red and blue neon signage, modern dark storefront design

Kim Lee's Restaurant at address 220 with yellow overhead sign advertising fresh baked goods and Chinese food, stone facade accent columns

I ended up going to the Foundry, a local neighborhood bar. I really enjoy places like this. Often, people see Thunder Bay as not having much to offer, but I think it has a really cool bar culture. There are so many great local bars. You could easily bar-hop and do something I call the Thunder Bay Bar Tour.

Opened aluminum can of Sleeping Giant Brewery "Quittin' Time" beer with illustrated label resting on wooden bar surface

The Foundry has a really fun atmosphere. They also have great taps. The bar dates back to 1909. They had the stuffed dog on the shelf since 1924. However, it appears that this is not the only thing that changed since 1909.

Eclectic bar interior featuring taxidermy animal mounted above, vintage decor, glass-front beer refrigerator, brass tap system, ornate chandelier

Elaborate crystal chandelier with multiple candle-style lights hanging from dark ceiling, taxidermied dog displayed on shelf, damask wallpaper, Pepsi signage

Dimly lit photograph of framed "Old Charter Kentucky's Finest Bourbon" vintage advertisement poster with stacked white plates below

Well-lit view of Old Charter bourbon poster showing "Over 27,000,066 Bottles Sold in... TEXAS" with "The Red Menace" poster and retro coffee machine signs nearby

One thing I had to get was poutine. I love poutine. You’ll probably see me get poutine several times in this blog post. Poutine is found in several places throughout Canada. The most popular belief is that poutine originated in Quebec. However, there’s some speculation in Thunder Bay that it originated in Northern Ontario.

White bowl filled with hand-cut fries smothered in brown gravy and cheese curds, classic poutine presentation

I met up with my friend Rob. I haven’t seen Rob in a long time, and I also met up with two of his friends. One of his friends was from Russia. We picked up some beer, and they introduced me to a local brewery.

Black aluminum can of Hop City Brewing Co. "Dancing Squirrel" amber lager featuring white squirrel illustration on wooden bar surface

After we were done at the Foundry, we went to a different bar. When I first came to Thunder Bay, there was a bridge that connected one part of the city to another. I lived in the section south of it. One night, I tried crossing it, and it was one of the most unsettling experiences. It was basically a bridge with a screened roof. There were no sides, so you were totally exposed. The wind was whipping, and it felt like you were going to blow off. I tried not to think about it and just powered through.

Long enclosed pedestrian skyway with glass walls and steel truss framework, elevated walkway overlooking parking lots and streets below

We eventually went to the Brew Pub. It was a good place to get one more drink before calling it a night.

Clear plastic pitcher of Coors Banquet beer with foam head beside single filled glass on weathered wooden table, sports memorabilia on wall

After the Brew Pub, we hit up the Crock Waterhouse. Just to clarify, this is the type of bar you try to avoid on a Tuesday. But tonight was a Saturday, and the place was absolutely packed. I’ve been to several bars in my day, and this place was something else.

Nighttime view of Crock Waterhouse bar entrance with large moose head mounted above doorway, patron standing in lit entrance

One particular drink was ordered by Canadians like it was going out of style. I have never seen anything like it. It’s called a Caesar. Now, you may have heard of the Bloody Mary. It was tomato juice with vodka and Worcestershire sauce. The Caesar is basically the same but with clam juice. I was told you either love it or hate it. I decided to try it.

Caesar or Bloody Mary cocktail with salted rim, celery stalk garnish, lemon wedge, purple straw on wooden bar counter

After trying it, I would say I loved it and would get it again. It was so good, and it honestly tasted better than a Bloody Mary. I will have to try making one at home.

Selfie of two smiling patrons in bar, one with blonde curly hair and one wearing glasses with goatee, exit sign glowing in background

After leaving the Crock, I realized it was close to 2 AM. We called it a night.

Downtown Thunder Bay street at night with illuminated multi-story buildings, empty sidewalk, streetlights, moving vehicle

I don’t know when I got back to the hotel. All I know is that the air conditioning said 64. I slept like a baby.

White window air conditioning unit control panel displaying 64 degrees Fahrenheit on blue LED digital screen

I slept in as long as I could. The morning came fast, and it was sunny.

Daytime view through hotel window overlooking Thunder Bay marina with boats, modern pedestrian bridge, Sleeping Giant formation visible across sparkling Lake Superior, clear sunny sky

I originally planned to stay another night and get an early morning start on Monday. When I discovered that rooms were $250 CAD a night, I decided to hang around Thunder Bay until evening. I’d then head back and get some sleep at a rest stop like I did on my way up.

Unfortunately, I got word that Austin wasn’t feeling well. He was running a low-grade fever. It ultimately ended up being teething. I decided to come back a bit early. I had a few places I wanted to see before heading back.

I first went to the marina.

Thunder Bay marina with calm water, sailboats and yachts docked, wildflowers and plants in foreground, modern apartment buildings on left, clear blue sky

View across Lake Superior with yellow wildflowers and tall grasses in foreground, calm blue water, distant shoreline visible, wispy clouds in bright blue sky

Outdoor amphitheater with curved grass seating area, modern steel arch structure overhead, weathered log bench seating in foreground, apartment buildings and pedestrian bridge in background

I then went to Maltese Grocery to get some Shumka Dust. I also got some of the crispy coating from the people who make the Texas Seasoning.

Maltese grocery store sign on tan brick building advertising "Meats, Produce, Groceries, Fine Imported Foods"

I then went to the LCBO.

LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) storefront with large modern signage, "Wine Spirits Beer" window text, olive-toned facade with glass windows

They had Puppers!

Nearly empty cardboard 12-pack case of "Puppers Golden Lager" by Letterkenny with a few remaining aluminum cans visible inside

I got 3 of them, 2 canned Caesars, and a Northern Logger.

I then headed to the mall to get something to eat.

Intercity Shopping Centre exterior entrance with modern tan facade, decorative glass block accent columns, "ISC" lettering visible, dramatic blue sky

One staple that has always been there is Tim Horton’s.

2013:

Tim Hortons food court location with line of customers waiting, red signature signage, tiled floor, slatted wooden ceiling, mall setting

2023:

Standalone Tim Hortons service kiosk in shopping mall food court featuring wood-tone counter wrap, menu boards visible, empty service counter

Since it was lunchtime, I got a sandwich and a Coke.

Tim Hortons submarine sandwich in paper wrapper and 591ml Coca-Cola bottle resting on speckled granite mall counter surface

I did a little people-watching and reflecting on this trip and past trips.

Shopping mall food court common seating area with A&W visible, scattered white plastic tables and chairs, natural lighting from corrugated ceiling skylights

One big change I saw was Target coming and going in Canada. When I studied for my MBA, this was an extensive case study of what not to do. When I took this picture in 2015, Target was already closed.

Vacant mall corridor section with glossy bright red decorative wall panels, contemporary minimalist design, wooden bench, mostly empty retail spaces

It appears Dollarama has ultimately taken its place.

It was time to start heading for the border. With my credit card debacle, I decided I’d pay the premium for gas in Canada. I knew I had some extra currency left over so I stopped at a gas station.

View from gas station canopy showing Circle K and Esso signage, digital price board displaying 169.9 and 129.9 cents per litre, residential neighborhood visible

As you can see, regular gas is $1.69.

Close-up of Esso Synergy fuel dispenser showing three octane grades: 87 Regular (169.9¢), 89 Extra (189.9¢), 91 Supreme (199.9¢) with blue pump interface

I bet many Americans think that’s a heck of a deal. They forget this is priced in liters and not gallons. You need to multiply that by 3.78 to get the per-gallon price. $1.69 x 3.78 = $6.39 a gallon! Now there is a little consolation to this for Americans. $1 CAD = $0.74 USD. That brings the price down to $4.73 a gallon USD. I paid around $3.69 a gallon on the way up in the USA.

Esso fuel pump digital display screen showing completed transaction total of $37.59 CAD for 22.124 litres, blue Esso and PC Optimum branding

That’s one thing you need to do is a lot of math to convert things. I’m happy for speed, my car will do it automatically.

Vehicle dashboard trip computer display showing 0 km/h current speed, 253,814 km total odometer, 68°F exterior temperature, Trip 1 data, directional indicator

There was one last stop I wanted to make before crossing into the USA. I wanted to see the old border crossing from the Canadian side. This was the first place I met my Canadian friends when the border was closed.

Rural gravel road bordered by dense evergreen forest, yellow checkered "Dead End" warning sign posted on roadside, partly cloudy summer sky

The road was a mixture of beat-up pavement and gravel, just like the other side in Minnesota.

A cracked paved road stretching into the distance through dense northern forest with evergreen and deciduous trees lining both sides under blue skies with scattered clouds

Surprisingly, I had reception when I got there. On the other side, I wasn’t so lucky.

A gravel parking area with a metal gate barrier across the back, surrounded by evergreen and birch trees

Royal Canadian Mounted Police border safety sign in English and French reading "Help keep our border safe. If it's suspicious, report it" with Crime Stoppers contact numbers

I walked to the barrier by the old bridge castings.

An old weathered metal rail barrier or gate made of cylindrical tubes, partially overgrown with birch trees and vegetation

I then looked through the hole in the vegetation where I’d have been standing on the US side.

Dense mixed forest with birch trees and various deciduous trees creating a thick canopy

I saw a car on the other side, but it seemed to pull away before I could say hi. This area is more popular than I thought. When I first went there, I made sure to alert border patrol on both sides. I thought it was going to be more remote and raise suspicion.

After looking for a bit, I headed back to the car. It was interesting to see where a small border town used to be to accommodate the crossing.

A silver sedan parked alone in a large circular gravel parking area surrounded by evergreen forest

An empty overgrown gravel parking area with young evergreen trees and vegetation reclaiming the space

I stopped for another picture along the Pigeon River on the way back. It’s crazy how close the border truly is.

A silver car parked on a narrow bridge or culvert crossing with wooden guard rails, surrounded by dense forest

A rocky river flowing through northern wilderness with evergreen and deciduous forest on both banks under blue skies

I made it to the border, and there was a big line.

View from inside a car following a black RAM pickup truck at a border crossing checkpoint with buildings visible in the background

I came at the right time because a bigger line was forming.

Car side mirror reflecting a concrete bridge or overpass structure at what appears to be a border crossing

They actually opened up another lane in the meantime. When it was my turn, it was super fast. Unlike crossing into Canada, I was asked 3-4 questions and sent on my way. I was finally back in the USA!

Highway view from driver's perspective showing open road with forested areas on both sides and some buildings in the distance

I made it to Superior and got gas. My credit card miraculously worked!

Kwik Trip gas pump nozzle inserted into a white car's fuel tank during refueling

The drive itself was long but uneventful.

Highway driving view under overcast gray skies with forested areas on both sides of the road

I made it home around 10 PM. Everyone went to bed, but someone got up. She wanted to spend some quality time with me.

A white dog with dark markings lying stretched out on a gray couch in a relaxed position

I took off on Monday. Coming home early was a blessing in disguise. I spent the day with Austin. Luckily, his teeth were better after spending a day at home. I also avoided many storms.

TV weather forecast showing Wisconsin map with current conditions at 6:56 AM, displaying temperatures in the 60s across various cities with rain indicators

TV weather alert showing flood watch map for southern Wisconsin counties with Madison in green and surrounding counties in light blue

The funny thing is that I love Metro’s private-label party mix. I always pick up a few bags of it before returning to the USA. I realized they changed the bag in the last year.

2022:

Shopping cart containing Party Mix Fiesta pasta, Schar Minis cookies, various packaged snacks, drinks and other grocery items

2023:

Package of Party Mix Mélange Fiesta pasta showing colorful pasta shapes on red packaging, placed on light wooden floor

I will say it still has the same great taste!

It’s been crazy the sheer amount of adventures I’ve had in the last decade that I’ve been coming to Thunder Bay. I’ve done a police ride-along, attended Bluesfest, got the amethyst for my wife’s engagement ring, and did the Lake Superior Circle Tour. I’ve come to know this area like the back of my hand.

I also love the friends I’ve made along the way. It’s incredible how easily we can pick up where we left off. I love having people accompany me while exploring the area. It’s also fun to hit up downtown and have a few drinks. I know I’ll continue to come to Thunder Bay.

That reminds me. I need to renew my passport and also get a new bank. I guess my work is cut out for me, but I’m sure there will be some good adventures in the meantime.

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