July 3 - Winnipeg to Thunder Bay

Another big driving day... four provinces in three days!

Having arrived late the night before, we took some time in the morning to explore Winnipeg, in particular the Forks National Historic Site. The site is at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers which was an important meeting place of First Nations, traders and trappers. Today, it houses a park, a market and the Museum of Human Rights.

The Forks National Historic Site, 2017

The Forks, 2017

Canadian Museum of Human Rights, 2017



 

Shortly after leaving Winnipeg on the TransCanada highway through the Sandiland National Forest, it became clear that we were leaving the prairies and making the transition to the boreal forests of Northern Ontario. We enjoyed the change of scenery, but were struck by how lacking in wildlife it was compared to the bustling wetlands of the prairie.

 



Sandilands National Forest, 2017

 

By early afternoon we arrived in the cute tourist town of Kenora, ON. After enjoying the waterfront and a quick lunch, we were on our way again. From Kenora to Thunder Bay, the TransCanada is carved through Canadian Shield and dense spruce forest. We are surprised by the muskeg here as we are south of Calgary, and Alberta's muskeg doesn't begin until north of Edmonton. We picked our way through logging towns and small outdoorsy villages, finally arriving in Thunder Bay late in the evening and looking forward to a rest the next day.

Kenora, ON 2017
 

Kenora, ON 2017