July 11: A Sight of Home
I left Thunder Bay this morning earlier than yesterday, determined not to repeat the mistake of driving on highway 17 in the dark. Little did I know I would still be flying blind much of the day!
Today’s ride along the northern edge of Lake Superior to Sault Saint Marie, Ontario did provide glimpses of a variety of lakes, rivers, and bays. It ended with a view of the United States and the international bridge between the two countries.
I was happy to get a view of Lake Superior soon after hitting the road and was able to see the water intermittently throughout the day, making for an overall pleasant drive. There were numerous small islands and peninsulas to see, many with interesting names like “Pancake Bay” or “Harmony Beach.”
In the town of Nipigon on Kama Bay I crossed a particularly striking bridge, a “cable-stayed” structure that reminded me a lot of the golden gate bridge on a much smaller scale. This one is highlighted in a pretty shade of blue and has two lanes of traffic going both directions.
Although highway 17 follows the shoreline of Lake Superior, it is mostly set back from the water behind a thick band of trees. Even in areas with pullouts that are designated as viewpoints the foliage has often grown to obscure the view. I decided to just enjoy the water that I could see and focus on how much I appreciated being on my bike.
I’m not sure if this is a regular occurrence, but shortly after Terrace Bay, I encountered a thick fog that would rival any winter morning mist in San Francisco. This fog remained for most of the ride and at many times was so thick I could only see a few yards in front of me. I felt like I was racing into a white wall, only to hope that the road continued on the other side of it. I was especially grateful for my fog lights as well as my electric gear as the air was particularly wet and cold. I was also happy I had taken a few pictures early in the ride when visibility was better.
When I arrived in Sault Saint Marie, I was able to drive to the Canada end of the international bridge spanning the two countries. This bridge is 2.8 miles long and is the tenth-busiest border crossing between the US and Canada and the only land crossing for almost 700 miles. It was beautiful to see the bridge lit up at night as well as to see the twinkling lights of the US, reminding me of home.
