Lake Superior Circle Tour Day 2: Sault St Marie to Nipigon

After scaling the South Shore the day before, it was time to go to Sault St. Marie and cross into Canada. I had about an hour drive from where I slept in Michigan. I woke up at the rest stop and it was the start of a nice day.

Log cabin building with green metal roof at dusk, surrounded by pine trees and lawn area

I hit up Anytime Fitness for my morning shower.

Anytime Fitness storefront in strip mall with beige and white exterior and large windows

When I was about to hop in the shower, the power went out. That was definitely interesting as I had to use the flashlight app on my phone to see. When I got out of the bathroom, it appeared the power was out throughout the building.

Interior of fitness center showing weight machines and exercise equipment with yellow accent walls and wood-trimmed doorways

I went to Dollar Tree next door to get an energy drink and a bottle of water and half their power was out too.

Dollar store interior showing aisle 6 with BALLOON CENTER and KITCHEN ESSENTIALS signs, merchandise displays on walls

After Dollar Tree, I filled up and proceeded to go to the border.

Highway view from driver's perspective showing road with Comfort Inn sign and exit sign for Ignace on the right

I waited in line to pay my toll to cross the bridge.

Normandin transport truck approaching toll plaza or border crossing with multiple lanes and booth structures

When I went to talk with the border guard, he asked me what I was bringing with me. I said, "Nothing to declare" and he snapped at me, "How do you know that?" With his tone I was sure I was going to get pulled into secondary questioning. I said normally they ask if I have alcohol, tobacco, or firearms and I have none of those. He then asked what I was doing (Lake Superior Circle Tour) and where I worked. He handed me back my passport card and I was on my way. That crossing was actually pretty efficient and fast.

Ontario's hands-free laws are very strict so I didn't take any pictures while driving. I did make sure to make a couple stops along the way.

Interpretive sign for Batchawana Bay displaying historical information with images and maps, Algoma and Ontario tourism logos at bottom Scenic view of large lake with calm blue water, scattered clouds in sky, picnic tables on sandy shore in foreground Sandy beach shoreline with driftwood logs, calm lake water, and forested area across the water under partly cloudy sky Tranquil lake water meeting sandy beach, clear reflections of clouds on water surface, distant shoreline visible Beach area with white picnic table on sand, driftwood log, and expansive view of lake with forested shoreline across water

The water was really clear.

Crystal clear shallow lake water showing sandy bottom with visible rocks and pebbles beneath the surface

I saw a sign for local fresh smoked fish, so I had to stop.

Roadside with Voyageur's Lodge sign, LCBO sign, and various business markers along grassy area with power lines overhead Voyageur's General Store rustic wooden building with GIFTS & GROCERIES sign, Canadian flag, BBQ sign, and covered porch area

I went to the fridge to get a piece.

Refrigerated display case showing local smoked fish and smoked trout on multiple shelves with EAT SLEEP FISH sign on wall

I then took it to the car and then sat and ate it.

Single piece of smoked fish on white paper wrapping, showing golden-brown color and texture

I took a quick picture of the lake by this general store.

Panoramic lake view with burnt tree stump in foreground, low shrubs, and distant shoreline under blue sky with scattered clouds

I drove a bit more and stopped at this scenic lookout.

Algoma Country tourism information sign displaying maps, wildlife photos, and regional information with lake visible in background Lake view framed by trees with green foliage, showing deep blue water and distant shoreline horizon

I noticed a worn path so I decided to walk down by the water.

Natural trail or path with large piece of driftwood or weathered wood in foreground, birch trees and vegetation alongside

I had to climb through a few rocks.

Rocky stream bed through forested area with dappled sunlight filtering through trees, slight motion blur

The views were pretty amazing!

Expansive view of deep blue ocean or large lake with rocky outcrop visible in foreground, clear blue sky above Lake view with forested hillside and rocky cliffs in distance, calm blue-green water in foreground Large dark boulders along rocky shoreline, lake with dense forest on far shore, white puffy clouds in blue sky Rocky shoreline extending along lake edge with multiple large boulders, forested area and clear blue sky in background

It was getting to be about lunch time, so I stopped in Wawa. I decided to go to the Canadian staple of Tim Horton's.

Commercial building with parking area in foreground, dramatic sky filled with white and dark clouds overhead

I got a steak and cheese sandwich.

Fast food meal on table with grilled panini sandwich in wrapper, box of fries, and green bottle of 7-Up

I had nice view from my booth.

View from vehicle showing grassy lawn area with treeline of mixed evergreen and deciduous trees, partly cloudy sky

As I said before, Tim Horton's is a Canadian staple. You can tell this by the constant line of cars.

Parking lot with white pickup truck, red truck, and white SUV, Canadian flag on pole, forested background with blue sky

I went to get some gas. I see I couldn't pay at the pump with my credit card.

Gas pump with posted sign listing fueling safety rules and notice that out of country credit cards don't work at pumps

I decided to get a candy bar when I went in to pay for my gas. It was pretty good.

Two white Bell phone booths standing on grass beside roadway, commercial buildings and cloudy sky in background

It was kind of interesting seeing 2 phone booths. Normally, you don't see these around anymore.

Scotiabank Creamy Milk white chocolate bar with gold wrapper resting on blue fabric surface

Just like Michigan, most of the Canadian rest stops are old school outhouses.

Green and white public restroom facility building with multiple stall doors, lamp post, surrounded by lawn and trees

There were some awesome views of a river that ran through.

Concrete bridge spanning calm water with perfect cloud reflections, surrounded by evergreen forest, reeds visible in foreground Bridge over dark reflective water with cloud reflections, curved shoreline path, cattails and forest surrounding

It looks like a beaver got to this tree.

Close-up of birch tree trunk base showing distinctive white and black peeling bark pattern on grass

I stopped at another scenic view. As with the rest of the views, these were great too.

View through dense evergreen forest framing glimpse of large body of water in distance, overcast gray sky Forest vista through evergreen and bare trees showing distant water body and hillside, dramatic cloudy sky Elevated viewpoint from rocky outcrop overlooking forested valley with power transmission lines, dark storm clouds overhead Panoramic elevated view of large lake or bay with forested peninsulas, dramatic cloudy sky with patches of blue Dark forested hillside under dramatic stormy sky with patches of blue breaking through heavy clouds Power transmission tower on hilltop overlooking forested valley with multiple power lines under stormy gray sky

I drove a bit further and made it to Terrace Bay.

Terrace Bay Beach sign displaying boat launch information and safety rules, surrounded by evergreen trees Open sparse grassland with distant low hills on horizon, dramatic sky filled with gray and white clouds Lake or river view with dense evergreen forest lining both shores under overcast sky with dramatic clouds Black Ford Focus hatchback parked overlooking flat open landscape with scattered trees and dramatic cloudy sky Silhouetted lakeside scene at dusk showing boat dock with metal frame structure, dramatic cloudy sky with light breaking through EZ Launch information sign for kayaks and canoes standing beside lake with forested shoreline and dramatic clouds overhead Lake view at dusk with forested shoreline silhouetted against dramatic cloudy sky, ducks or waterfowl visible on water Green and white motorboat moored at wooden dock with lake and evergreen forest visible in background under cloudy sky Dark choppy lake water with waves washing onto sandy beach, distant shoreline visible under dramatic gray and blue sky Beach shoreline at dusk with waves rolling in, dark water, forested peninsula visible in distance under dramatic stormy sky Bright blue lake water with distant forested shoreline, large puffy white clouds in clear blue sky, grassy area in foreground

I had originally thought I'd be stopping in Terrace Bay, but there was still plenty of daylight. Nipigon was an hour away, so I kept driving. I stopped at a scenic lookout along the way.

Golden hour sunset with sun breaking through silhouetted trees, warm light reflecting on lake water visible through foliage Tall orange-red rock cliff face covered with evergreen trees lit by golden sunset light, road visible at base with small sign

I then made it to Nipigon. I decided to go to the Paddle to the Sea Park and get a few pictures.

Weathered blue painted wooden sign reading DOUBLE M BOAT LAUNCH with lake and treeline visible in background at dusk Sunset scene with Canadian flag and other flags on tall poles, lake view with informational sign and person's silhouette, peach-colored sky Tranquil sunset over lake with forested shoreline silhouetted against pink and peach sky, moon visible above horizon Calm water at dusk with floating dock in foreground, several boats moored in distance near forested shoreline, gradient sky Lake view at sunset with moon visible in sky, forested hills silhouetted against pink and peach gradient sky, green vegetation in foreground Black Ford Focus hatchback parked beside lake at sunset, forested hills and rock formations visible across water, pink and peach colored sky

For supper I stopped by Tim Horton's.

Tim Hortons meal on table with bowl of vegetable soup, grilled wrap with grill marks, bread roll, and bottle of 7-Up

By then, I was looking for a hotel since there wasn't that great of a place to sleep in my car. Some of the hotels had no vacancy signs and it look like a lot were booked. I found out most were full and luckily got the last room at the Northland Motel.

Illuminated Northland Motel sign at night showing evergreen tree graphic, motel building visible in background

The place was a basic room that had a kitchenette.

Motel room interior with bed featuring red and white floral patterned bedspread, kitchenette with white cabinets, wooden chair, table Motel kitchenette with white cabinets, dark countertop, microwave, coffee maker, sink, two-burner electric cooktop, checkered curtains

It was interesting seeing a thermostat in Celsius.

Honeywell wall-mounted thermostat with round temperature dial showing scale from 10 to 25 degrees

The no smoking sign had an interesting way of stating what the fine was.

No smoking sign on wooden surface displaying $100.00 fine amount with cigarette prohibition symbol

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