Thunder Bay, Ontario

Mount McKay is a scenic lookout over Thunder Bay, on Fort Williams First Nations land. The view over Thunder Bay is spectacular, but so is the mafic sill itself (apparently this is what it is called).

Fort Williams National Historic Site is a key reason I wanted to come to Thunder Bay. It turns out we were incredibly lucky as I had checked when it would open for the season, but hadn’t realized that there had been extensive flooding that had left the site under 2 feet of water, and they only opened 2 days ago. The historic site is a recreaton of the original North West Trading company fort which is where the annual rendezvous would have been held. That was the time of year when the voyageurs from Montreal would bring out trade goods (by canoe) and voyageurs and First Nations would come in with their furs for trading. At that time the population of Fort William would swell from 40 permanent residents to 1000 in the summer when travel was possible wtih enough time to get back before freeze up. Gift exchanges, socializing and trading would continue for months before every one headed off to their often very isolated existence. The site offers guided tours, with knowledgeable guides in period costume and character, together with representative residents and workers  of the era (1816) going about their business and happy to share their knowledge. Definitely worth a visit.

Kakabeka Falls is about 30km west of Thunder Bay and is on the Kaministiquia River. It was quite the obstacle to the voyaguers as it required an 8km portage, which was by no means the longest one but was the most difficult. Annoying the falls may have been to those traveling along the river, but for those of us there to view them, they are inspiring. The power of the water flowing over the falls and crashing down into the gorge is mesmerizing, particularly in the spring when the water level is high, and warrants the term ‘Niagara of the North’.