Category: Chipmunk

Lake Superior Provincial Park

Checkout wasn’t until 2:00, so we took an “easy” hike from the campground through a forest, then across a fen. Martha explained to me the difference between a bog and a fen. Water doesn’t move in a bog, but does in a fen. I wore my bug shirt this time, and the mosquitoes were sure trying to get in. The problem is you get hotter. It would be much more comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt, but that is not an option. 

Back at camp we fixed lunch. I watched two guys across from us pull their big all-one-unit camper out of their site and run into a tree and the post marking the site. It was hard to watch. Then they backed up and did it again! I moved my truck so they could pull across, back up and have a straight shot out. They knocked off a tool box on the side, and I’m sure scratched up the shell. The site was at a 45 degree angle the wrong direction for a one-way road, but still…! It made me very nervous to hook up and get out safely, but thankfully, we made it. 

The drive from Pancake Bay to Rabbit Blanket in Lake Superior Provincial Park is only an hour and 15 minutes, but there are beautiful views of the biggest fresh water lake in the world. We stopped at two overlooks to see such clear water, we could see all the different colored rocks on the bottom.

I talked to a man in a big, old Class A camper – the kind you drive. It looked like it had been around the block a few times. He said it was a 1991, and they were just coming back from a trip into the Yukon. When he started the big diesel, it sounded great! I gave him the thumbs up as he pulled out.

At the next overlook we met a man who was riding a bike across Canada all dressed in pink. It has taken him 10 years, but this trip will take him to Toronto, which is a bit less than 900 miles from here! He had his campsite reserved, and was ready to get to it on his new Trek bike. To do this and carry clothes for all kinds of conditions and camping gear and food and water adds up to a lot of weight. You might guess this is flat land, but it is very hilly with small mountains. 

We passed so many beautiful rivers and lakes beckoning us to come float and explore. We stopped at the Lake Superior Provincial Park Visitor’s center, taking in all the exhibits. Then on to Rabbit Blanket, a very nice campground on a very pretty lake. We walked around to explore before returning to our site, which by the way had fresh bear poop and black fur right behind where we parked the trailer. 

Gear: Candle lighter. I love this thing. It is a rechargeable candle lighter. I love sitting by candle light, writing in the early hours. I also light the stove with it so I don’t wake Martha with the loud stove clicker. Disclaimer: I make no money from this blog.

The Boardwalk, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Sunday, August 10, 2025

After four days of driving, we wanted to get out and walk. #2 on the things to do in Sault Ste Marie is the Boardwalk along St. Mary’s River that connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron. It is a busy area for Great Lakes shipping both with loading and unloading as well as locks to move ships between these lakes. 

The boardwalk is planted with beautiful flowers. Bikers, walkers and runners passed us on our walk. Passing a hydro-electric plant, we came to the locks where Kelly and I had observed people steelhead fishing. Whitefish Island has been a productive fishing area for many generations. Indian tribes came here every summer for the whitefish, netting and trapping them. 

Following the trail down to the river, chipmunks came out to greet us. A rabbit hardly looked up as we walked by. Birds flitted between bushes. A creek runs through the middle of the island, but locks and hydro-electric facilities have all but drained the flow. That didn’t stop beavers from making four dams.

Surprisingly, the river was flowing strong, much more than our last visit. There are so many fires in Canada in very dry conditions, I thought water levels would be low. I love this spot!

Not far from the KOA is a unique lunch and takeout place called The Soup Witch with fresh-squeezed lemonade, espresso, sandwiches, chili, pies and more.

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