Lake Superior Circle Tour Day 3 Nipigon to Thunder Bay

I woke up after a good night's sleep and got ready for my hour drive to Thunder Bay. I returned the key and was surprised when the owner of the hotel remembered my name from the night before and greeted me when I walked in the office to check out. We talked a little bit and I hit the road. I did a pit stop at Tim Horton's for breakfast.

Tim Hortons roadside sign with Always Fresh and Oven Hot logos against blue sky, with gas station and restaurant visible in background Tim Hortons breakfast meal featuring an everything bagel sandwich, hash brown, and large coffee cup on brown table Tim Hortons coffee cup with white hockey jersey-style sleeve displaying Canadian maple leaf and WCH logo

I went to Paddle to the Sea Park again and took a few more pictures.

Calm lake with wooden dock in foreground, marina with boats and buildings visible across the water under clear blue sky Tranquil lake view with dense evergreen forest covering the far shoreline under cloudless sky Lake surrounded by forested hills with single contrail crossing the blue sky above Small forested island with cattails and marsh grasses along the lake edge, reflection visible in still water White Cessna seaplane with floats parked on gravel shore, other aircraft and equipment visible in wooded clearing Blue and white Cessna seaplane (registration C-GNEB) on floats with additional aircraft and trailers in background clearing Old logging or transportation equipment and trailers parked in overgrown gravel lot with trees in background Large cylindrical turbine or generator housing with Ontario Power Generation information plaque, situated in waterfront park area Empty gravel roadway leading toward lake with forested hillside beyond, benches visible on either side

I then hit the road for Thunder Bay. My first stop was the Metro grocery store, just like the first time I was in Thunder Bay.

Metro grocery store exterior with red and beige facade, parking lot with vehicles in foreground

I then headed to the mall.

Intercity shopping mall entrance with peaked roof design and Office Galleria wing visible on right side

It was getting around lunch time so I decided to get some Taco Time. It is kind of crazy that, in a city of 110,000 people, the only Mexican restaurant there is a Taco Bell-like chain called Taco Time. I can see where someone looking to start a restaurant would have a decent opportunity to start a Mexican restaurant.

Taco Time restaurant sign with orange lettering and green cactus logo decorations on corrugated metal wall

I got a hard shell beef and softshell fish taco. I also decided to get the Poutine Mexican fries, which was basically like Canada meets Mexico. They were pretty good.

Taco Time meal spread including tacos, burritos, poutine with gravy, salsa cups, and beverage on table

Since I had some time before I could check in to my hotel, I went over to the Marina area and walked around a bit.

Marina with multiple sailboats moored at wooden docks, calm water reflecting vessels under partly cloudy sky Large cargo ship on Lake Superior with Sleeping Giant formation visible in distance under overcast sky Massive freighter ship sailing on Lake Superior viewed from shoreline with vegetation in foreground under blue sky with white clouds Lake Superior coastline with dried grasses and shrubs in foreground, cargo vessel visible on horizon Lake Superior shoreline with driftwood logs and rocks in foreground, cargo ships visible on horizon under dramatic wispy cloud formations Nanabijou interpretive sign with historical photograph at waterfront park, Lake Superior and vegetation visible in background Rocky breakwater with dead standing tree, marina buildings and grain elevator silos visible across Thunder Bay harbor Modern multi-story residential towers behind marina with sailboats and yachts moored at docks under heavy overcast sky Large dome-shaped metal lattice structure with evergreen tree silhouettes cut into design, grass field in foreground Interior walkway through lattice dome structure showing curved concrete path supported by dark wooden posts Terraced grass amphitheater with concrete retaining walls descending toward waterfront, evergreen trees on distant horizon

I did try stopping and doing some work on my blog in the Marina area, but there really wasn’t a picnic table around, I needed somewhere to sit and type more easily. I went to Fisherman’s Park.

Thunder Bay Parks Division sign featuring metal cutout of jumping fish with decorative design elements

I found a picnic table and got to work with the nice view around me.

MacBook Air displaying Apple logo on startup screen, placed on concrete surface with natural wooded area behind

After writing a blog entry, I headed back to my car. There was some construction work going on for a compost toilet and the supervisor that was directing the little traffic that came through, was by my car waiting for the next car to come through. When I went over to my car, he asked, "So you're the one from Texas?" I talked with him for a while and then headed to the hotel. I was going to stay at the Prince Arthur like I did last time.

Prince Arthur Hotel brick facade with Art Deco limestone entrance featuring projecting canopy over main doors

The room was a standard 2 bed.

Hotel room with two double beds covered in white linens, dark dresser with CRT television, lamp and window with drapes

I decided to get a lakeside view. The view was amazing!

Elevated view of waterfront showing covered pedestrian bridge, marina with numerous boats, and Lake Superior with Sleeping Giant formation visible across bay

I was getting hungry, so I decided to walk down the street to On Deck.

Downtown Thunder Bay street with historic buildings, Canadian flag on pole, concrete planter with pink and white flowers in foreground On Deck restaurant entrance with curved black awning featuring white logo, glass door with frame in red brick building

I got a (Molson) Canadian. Notice in the background, their drinking age is 19.

Molson Canadian lager bottle standing on wooden bar counter with cash register and liquor bottles on shelves behind

I then ordered some wings.

Basket of glazed chicken wings with celery sticks and ranch dipping sauce on checkered paper, Molson Canadian beer beside plate

Everyone in America thinks Canada is only into hockey, but they had the NFL game going.

Bar interior with large television mounted on wall showing football game, Moosehead beer promotional box and liquor bottles visible

After eating, it was getting a bit dark. I then walked to Sovereign Room aka "Sov". Sov is one of my favorite places to hang out in Thunder Bay.

Thunder Bay downtown street at dusk with tall historic building illuminated at top, streetlights along empty road Restaurant entrance at night with stacked stone facade, large windows reflecting interior lights, and illuminated open sign Ornate crystal chandelier hanging above bar area with mounted taxidermy bear and beer tap handles below

I then walked over to the Foundry. They have a lot of beers on tap.

Bar interior showing multiple beer tap handles with brass medallions, including 1664 Blanc tap in foreground, bartender visible in background

There were some cool photos on the wall of Thunder Bay in the past.

Two historical photographs mounted on wood-paneled wall below draped curtain, showing vintage Thunder Bay street scenes Two vintage black and white photographs on dark wall - one showing Welcome to Port Arthur sign, other showing waterfront dock area

I was happy they had Smoke N' Oak. This beer is really good!

Shake of Oats Refinery Series beer can on wooden bar counter with tap handles and straws visible in background

Ryan, who has the radio program on CILU, met up with me at the Foundry. While I was waiting for him, I BS'd with a few people around me. After the Foundry, we hit up a few more bars before close. After close, there was an old muscle car parked on the side of the road. Since the weather was nice, I saw several different older cars cruising around throughout the day. I guess Canadians love their muscle cars, like Americans do.

Dark vintage Dodge Charger parked on downtown Thunder Bay street at night with buildings and streetlights behind

It sounded pretty badass as it pulled away. I walked back to my hotel room and snapped a quick picture of the Marina before going to bed.

Night view from hotel room window showing illuminated pedestrian bridge, parking lot, and Thunder Bay city lights in distance

It was definitely nice only having to drive an hour for the day and then having plenty of time to explore Thunder Bay and party up.

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