A Day in Thunder Bay – Day 19

Day 19 of the Share the Road, Share the Ride 2011 Conga...

I got up bright an early – NOT, I actually slept in until about 6:30 AM and got some writing done before calling Vi who was going to pick me up for breakfast. We were meeting Gary, Howard and Sirpa at the Hoito Restaurant for Finnish Pancakes.

The Hoito

The Hoito Restaurant has a remarkable history and its beginnings are very interesting!

 In 1909 the Finnish bush workers came up with an idea – when they would come out of their camp at Kallio’s near Nipigon. When these men would come to the city they could find rooms but nowhere to eat a meal for a decent and fair price. These men formed a committee to raise money – they bought land and built The Hoito Restuarant - Hoito means Care in Finnish.

We shared a fantastic meal that was abundant, flavourful and served up with a smile and cost about half of what it would anywhere else!

Check the Hoito out on their web site: www.hoito.ca  or better yet – stop in and really check them out!

After breakfast Vi and I walked down to Do or Dye Hair and Tattoo where I finally met our Rider Friendly partner Jamie. 

Jamie of Do or Dye

Bright and clean, this salon is staffed by riders who know how to care for hair!

What a great salon this rider owns! Bright and clean on both side the hair salon and the tattoo studio.  After a great conversation with Jamie it was agreed that he would come to my hotel later in the evening and give me a hair cut!

If you live in the Thunder Bay area or are passing through and in need of getting your ears lowered or for you ladies a cut and color etc – give this shop a try – they are talented and professional!

Do or Dye Hair Salon
216 Bay St Unit 3
Thunder Bay ON P7B 1R2
Latitude: 48.4297958
Longitude: -89.2250064
PH: (807) 345-6366

Email: amandaandjamie27@hotmail.com

The Armoury

Vi and I left and toured Thunder Bay. She took me to see the armoury and some of the old churches and grand old buildings in town – yes I am certifiable for old architecture!

A Magnificent Fountain

The waterfront

We drove all over the down town core and after the tour I headed back to my room to get some more work done. Dave was coming by with his Gold Wing to pick me up.

We rode out to Kakabeka Falls – me riding pillion and snapping some photos of the drive. When we got there Vi poured us a cool beverage and I pitched in what little she would let me to help with dinner.  A good feed of pickerel, corn on the cob, potatoes and salad were on the menu!  Before supper Dave agreed to film a motorcycle awareness commercial using his family to drive home the point that we riders are people with loved ones and deserve to have the road shared with us so that we too can get home in one piece to see our loved ones!

The beautiful drive to Dave and Vi's offered some wonderful shots

He was nervous but he did it and I am so thankful to him for having the courage – and I want to thank his grandchildren and daughter and of course his lovely wife Vi for being extras!

Dennis and Nikki

We were joined by a fellow member of the Superior Riders – Dennis Frederickson and his dog – Nikki. Nikki is an avid rider and Dennis loves having the companionship on his Bergman – he has really bad knees and had to give up the touring bike in favour of this new ride and is very happy that he has. 

Another night was coming to a close – Dave and Vi took me back to the hotel with promises of emails and calls to come. I was sad to have the visit end and yet was really looking forward to my hair cut!

At about 10:30, Jamie and his wife Amanda who is a new rider showed up – Jamie with scissors in hand!  The photo we took after wards did not turn out well, but suffice it to say I am WELL pleased!

Jamie taught me a trick about looking after longer hair when you ride – to keep it tangle free – after you have shampooed and conditioned your hair and towelled it dry, take about the size of a dime of conditioner and work it into your hair like mousse and guess what – your tangles are reduced immensely!

I saw Jamie and Amanda off and headed for bed – a big day on the road lays ahead….

canadian riders | rider friendly 

Ontario Bound – Day 18

I headed out of Winnipeg bright and early on Thursday July 21^st.  I stopped for fuel and a Powerade at a gas station just before the Ontario border where I met up with some riders from Thunder Bay. Howard and Sirpa Huhta, Gary Kosola and myself rode to Rushing River, they agreed to play tourist with me and embarrassingly admitted that they had never stopped at the Rushing River Park. So off we went – it was one of those perfect riding days, not too hot and yet filled with glorious sunshine. Just outside of Kenora, we turned off the Trans Canada heading south on Highway 71. The Rushing River Park is only about 10 minutes down the road and I am ever so glad we took the time to go see this out of the way gem.

The roads in the camp site are mostly paved and the cost for an hour pass was $5.25 for the three bikes.  We stopped at the concession for a cool beverage and scoped everything out. A little fella who according to his mother has begun a love affair with motorcycles asked if he could sit on the bikes and Howard, in true biker fashion was more than happy to oblige the young man and his younger brother. The grin on this little man’s face was priceless.

We got back on the bikes and rode around the park to the rapids – it was breathtaking. This park is so pretty and well done. We sat there after taking photos and just listened to the song the river sang as it rushed over the rocks. It was simply gorgeous.

We all left the park feeling so grateful we had followed Kirk and Hyla’s advice to stop here. Before we left the park we discussed lunch and I had asked them if they liked BBQ and had they ever stopped at Busters in Vermillion Bay – NO was the chorus so I said, well folks you are in for a treat. 

We got to Busters and ordered a big platter of ribs for 4 with sweet potato fries and potato salad and coffees and water all around.

I had to giggle when Gary made the observation that it was amazing that it took someone from Grand Prairie AB to show them a great place to eat and force them to be a tourist in their own province!

Back on the road we headed towards Thunder Bay. I had expressed that I wanted to see Egli’s Sheep Farm and Animal Park, I had no trouble getting these riders to agree to stop there the farm and store is located at 20232 Hwy 17 Minnitaki, ON

What a great place! The store is filled with a variety of wool products and Howard was a good sport and sat on the sheep rocker to pose for a picture. Sirpa and I went for a tour of the animals – the Elk were in full velvet, the red deer were on the run the minute we approached their pen…the donkey’s were getting their feet trimmed by the Ferrier and you should have heard the ruckus they were making! The Bison could have cared less that we were there, never lifting their heads to look at us and the Llamas and Alpacas were curious and hilarious – they are sure funny and very curious creatures!

There were two types of cattle I had never seen before – one was black with a white strip in the middle of their core and the other was the woolliest thing I have ever seen!

After the tour of the farm off we went for Kakabeka Falls where I was to call Dave and Vi Alderdice of the Superior Riders so that we could meet up. The plan was they would meet me at the falls and ride me to the hotel.

The falls at Kakabeka are absolutely stunning. They are known as the Niagara Falls of the North and I now know why!

I could have sat there watching the falls for hours, the are 39 metres high and I have no other word to describe them but STUNNING! The park here offers fishing, camping, walking trails and bicycle trails canoeing and more

Well – my plans to contact Dave and Vi were dashed as my phone does not work in the Thunder Bay region so when we got to Howard and Sirpa’s after visiting the falls – we phoned Dave and Vi and they came to Howard and Sirpa’s to meet me. While we waited for them to arrive I was treated to some Finnish bread and cheese, a Finnish cake and a wonderful cup of coffee.  When Dave and VI arrived, we visited for a bit, made plans to meet for breakfast the next morning and off to the Best Western Plus Nor'Wester Hotel & Conference Centre we went!

I was sure impressed when I checked in too!

I went through the usual check in process and then was given rags for the bike and told I could get a bucket for water by calling the front desk when I was ready!

This hotel has really friendly staff and a fabulous fitness area complete with pool, hot tub and saunas.  The restaurant menu has a good selection and there is even a deck you can sit on to watch the sunset from.

The room was spacious and had lots of power outlets and a screen slider for easy access to the bike from the room!

Something else I was impressed with – my room…the cabinet that the TV stood on also housed the microwave, coffee pot and a fridge!  There was a wonderful closet for hanging gear up, two sinks one in the bathroom and one outside of it and a wonderful desk and executive chair to sit in and I accomplished a lot at the desk!

This was a wonderfully comfortable room with a fantastic bed and I settled in for a wonderful and much needed night’s rest.

Next time your travels take you to Thunder Bay why not check them out!

The Best Western Plus Nor’Wester Hotel & Conference Center

Is located at 2080 Highway #61, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7J 1B8
Phone: 807/473-9123

Fax: 807/473-9600
Website

From Dryden to Brandon.

We headed out to Brandon - it was cool and over cast but it made for pleasant riding.

We stopped in Kenora for mid morning snack at the Timmy's but on the way in we saw this really cool bug.
As you can see the dark clouds were looming...we didn't stay long, just long enough to get a few pictures and then it was off to Brandon..

Hubby posing with the bug...

On we go towards Manitoba...Brandon and Cycle Boyz Shop, here we come.

Until later, ride safe.....

motorcycle canada

Dryden and the Comfort Inn

After leaving the Thunder Bay area we headed off to our next stop - Dryden. It was to be a reasonably leisurely ride as it is only  about 4 and a half hours. Mark and I both had Busters BBQ on the brain.

Problem was, neither of us could remember exactly where on the highway it was.
We road through the cool mid morning air and enjoyed the varied scenery. From small lakes to rock faces and trees it is very different from Grande Prairie AB and we were drinking in the differences.

We got into the pulp mill town of Dryden and were both seriously disappointed as we had not seen the BBQ place that we had both fallen so much in love with.

We checked in to the Comfort Inn and asked the young gal at the desk for information on laundry facilities and where we would find Buster's BBQ - she was off a wee bit as she told us that Vermillion Bay was 25 KM or so away when it really is 40 but none the less both hubby and I were salivating at the thought of some of that incredible blueberry BBQ sauce.

Lady at Comfort Inn

We rode down town to the laundromat and got some clothes cleaned and hubby did a bit of banking. The smell from the Domtar pulp mill was something I am not sure I could get used to.

City of Dryden is located on the Wabigoon Lake

The City of Dryden is located on the Wabigoon Lake which feeds the Wabigoon River. The lake is world renowned for its fishing (Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskie and Smallmouth Bass) and Dryden was also home to the Canadian Masters Windsurfing Association Championships in August! The region is comprise of some 9 lakes covering 56,000 acres!

Max the Moose stands watch over his domain - Dryden!

OK - Clothes clean, bellies now need to be fed. It was cool with a pretty good wind.
I chose to ride on the back of hubby's bike - I wear braces on both feet and my ankles were bleeding from the chaffing that happens from the braces rubbing up and down on the ankle as you walk so I wanted to give them a break by not having to wear them for a few hours. As we got to west side of Vermillion Bay we caught a whiff of the good food that was awaiting us. I could tell that I was not alone in my desire to tie in to some good BBQ - Hubby was giving me the thumbs up sign!

I love this Inukshuk - I think it honors the history of the area peoples beautifully.

Buster's is filled with a ton of humorous signs and pictures to take in while you wait for your food.

Buster's BBQ sauce is an award winning blueberry sauce that plays on the palette! I had the 1/4 chicken and hubby had the wrap - we both came away stuffed and there was even enough left overs for a snack at the room. We picked up some sauce and rub for thank you gifts (and ourselves) and headed back to the hotel.
 

I want to say how pleased I was with the Dryden Comfort Inn. Like the rest before it, the amenities were consistent - the 24 hour coffee with real cream was appreciated by both hubby and I as was the continental breakfast. The hotel was clean and comfortable and the staff were helpful and friendly.

If you find yourself in the Dryden area remember that besides beautiful riding and scenery, if you are into other recreations this area has some world renowned fishing and is known for its wind surfing.

The Comfort Inn can be your home away from home while you are in the region and make sure you tell them that you want their Rider Friendly Discount and that Belt Drive Betty sent you...

Comfort Inn Dryden
522 Government Rd
Dryden ON P8N 2P5
807-223-3893
Fax: 807-223-5627

Until later - ride safe..........

rider friendly  | motorcycle canada

The Road between North Bay & Sault Ste Marie...

The trip across Canada that we recently under took to promote the Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights & Education was accomplished in 34 days - round trip (We took in 8 provinces out of the 10 provinces and 3 territories that comprise Canada). Hardly gives one the time to truly take in all that this magnificent country we call Canada has to offer the touring rider....

Each province and I do mean each province of this magnificent country could use a month for exploration to do them any kind of justice.

The road between North Bay & Sault Ste Marie offer up some incredible sights - the Great Lake - Superior ensures it!

So many incredible adventures await you in Ontario and one of them takes place between North Bay and the "Soo". A member of Belt Drive Betty dot Com had posted one of his favourite day rides as being the one called the Deer Trail Touring Loop.

He described so many attractions that are possible to visit in this loop and while I did not get the chance to actually experience it, I did get to know a lot more about the loop and the various attractions within the loop. We stopped in at the visitor centre to learn more - I WILL be doing this loop and sooner than later!

One of the many Deer Statues that adore the Visitor Centre Area

The sign at the Centre that shows you all of the attractions and points of interest along the Deer Trail Touring Route

In all this one route contains 16 attractions and points of interest. As I said, we did not have the time to do all that we wanted but we sure identified things we are coming back to do!

We stopped in at Bruce Mines Marina - I really wanted to know why TJ recommended this place and why so many riders stop there. It didn't take much to figure that out once there.

View from the deck is fabulous

View from the deck is fabulous

The restaurant there has a great menu, the service is decent and the view from the deck is fabulous. I took a walk down to the Marina as you can see from these pictures - the place is beautiful!

Canada Geese and Seagulls seem to love the place...

It also appears that punch buggies like to come here!

Yes - our Canada has a lot to offer folks and if you haven't experienced it then may I highly recommend it - the diversity, the magnificence and splendour - they are bountiful!

There are so many places in Ontario that are on my bucket list - and I intend to visit as many of them as possible in the years to come...

Until later - ride safe..............

canadian riders | rider friendly  | motorcycle tourism | motorcycle tourism canada

Thunder Bay - the Comfort Inn and Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson a study in Customer Service

Mark and I had the opportunity to stay at the Comfort Inn in Thunder Bay twice - once on the way to Digby and once on the way home.

The first time was kind of a blur for me - my brother had just died and I was in an emotional hell. Thunder Bay is a black hole of communication where many cell phones do not work. You see TBay Tel is the last privately held phone company in North America and so communication by cell phone is virtually impossible for those from outside of the TBay Tel network. That is going to be changing coming in October as TBay Tel has finally signed some service agreements with companies like Bell, Rogers and Telus.

Anyway - I did not do a review of the hotel and it's services or amenities as I really didn't remember a whole lot about my stay there. But the second time around is a different story.

The Comfort Inns - part of the Choice Hotels Family - offer a lot of very appreciated ammenities.
One of the most important ingredients in any hospitality industry service is Customer Service.

I am unsure of where this particular hotel chain finds its staff or what it's hiring policies and HR policies might be but as a whole this company seems to attract really good quality people.

In this day and age that is an amazing thing to me because here in Alberta and in Saskatchewan we seem to have a hard time attracting quality people to customer service jobs.

The Thunder Bay Comfort Inn has some stellar people like Natalie working for them - they work really hard to ensure that every customer feels cared for and looked after. It's a tough job too when you think of the variety of people who come in the door. Business people, families, construction workers, sales people and riders - and we all have different needs.

The patio doors of the Comfort Inns have won my heart - sure makes packing and unpacking a ton easier!

A nice touch - a BBQ area complete with the BBQ and picnic table

If you find yourself wanting a good breakfast, a great nights sleep knowing that your ride is right out your bedroom door - and find yourself in the Thunder Bay area - consider checking out this p[property and giving them the chance to earn your business. You will be pleased with the result - of that I am fairly certain - I know I was.

Comfort Inn Thunder Bay
660 Arthur St West
Thunder Bay ON P7E 5R8
(807) 475-3155

Now on to Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson. My husband's Road king was producing some primary chain slapping noise. Upon inspection it needed to be tightened as did a few other things like the kick stand - it needed a new spring.  The gang at Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson took him in on short notice - first thing in the morning and had him in and out the door in under an hour for under $100 - hubby and I both appreciated the courtesy and efficiency of the shop! So thanks Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson for the fast and efficient service!

Until later, ride safe!..

motorcycle canada

North Bay and the Dionne Quintuplets

In a little town called Corbeil ON, on May 28th of 1934, 5 identical girls were born to Oliva and Elzire Dionne. With a combined weight of only 13 pounds and 5 ounces these little miracles who were born 2 months premature, faced the incredible odds of 57 million to one for survival.

Born during the great depression these children were taken away from their parents at about 4 months old. The government of Ontario decided to take control of the girls with the Quintuplets Act. The primary reason for this was the Dionne's had 5 other children to feed and had sold the name of the girls to the Chicago Fair with a promise of appearances  - the goal of the parents was to be able to feed their children during this most trying of times - the Great Depression.

There was a huge outrage over this decision by the Dionne's and so the government of the day stepped in. Instead of the family exploiting the quints the Ontario Government did and an industry that supported thousands of people was born. At the peak of their popularity the Quints represented a 500 million dollar asset to the Ontario Government.

In 1998 the provincial government finally admitted some wrong doing in the removal of the quints from their parents and the quints who were still alive at the time each got a $1 million dollar settlement.

The Tourism Information centre at North Bay now houses the original home that the quints were born in - here are the photos that I took during our visit...

The North Bay Tourism Centre

The house the Dionne Quints were born in

The clothing the quints wore all preserved for us to see...

The home the quints were born is is preserved much as it was before the quints were taken away from their parents.

Inside the Visitor Centre there is another room devoted to Quint Memorabilia including an old film that was taken of the Quints

An ironic display of the Charter of Freedoms

carousel figurine of the Quints

It was an interesting time visiting the museum - http://www.city.north-bay.on.ca/quints/digitize/dionne.htm - it also made my blood boil at the thought of these children being removed from their parents home because they might exploit them only to have the provincial government of the day turn around and exploit them. To me it was kind of like the Catholic Church thinking they had the right to take the "savage" out of the Indians - Inuit - Aboriginals etc...

Although we have come a long way in protecting human rights we still have a lot of work to do....at least that is my personal feeling...

Until later, ride safe...!
 

motorcycle canada