I really love my city here in Thunder Bay. While I hear about people going on trips to Cancun, or cruises, or telling me how much better the focaccia is in Italy or the baguettes in Nice ... sigh. There's so much beauty here to behold.
A good friend, and client, Kerry Berlinquette with Destination Thunder Bay provided a great opportunity to see those delights the other day. On June 21st, the longest day of the year, the Summer Solstice, National Indigenous People's Day ... there's no real reason to be locked up indoors.
See, one of Kerry's 'fun herders', Jeremy, has made it a tradition of his to be out biking all day on the longest day of the year. This year Kerry thought to see if it could be developed into some sort of activity and asked for volunteers to join them on #AllDayOutside. I volunteered. I think I missed the fact that all day, meant sun up to sun down. Sun rises around 5:45am these days.
Oi... Plus Jeremy had come up with about a 40km ride. At first I thought it was scary, but over a full day, it should be okay... right?
I'll let the photos tell the story. It was awesome. Plus gave me some chance to buy some gadgets for my bike (new little pack, gloves, bottle holder, etc...)
My Google Maps says approximately 34km, but my Google Fit said about 56km. Not sure which is more correct.
If the photo album doesn't embed properly (or if you want to see some of the panos properly), visit here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/MVUaXho1o4st2Gix5
So let's see if I can recap:
- 545AM - meet at the Marina to witness the National Indigenous Person sunrise ceremony - tried to get a couple different views of the sunrise from various spots in the park
- From there got caffeinated at Bay Village (we got there before they even opened up)
- Went over to the bride at Central Ave then went through some of the industrial areas to go up a nice bike path by the Neebing McIntyre Floodway beginning. That was gorgeous.
- From there went over through the East End to the underpass and see the James Whalen Tug area
- Next stop was to go and visit Holland Bakery and get some honey glazed and take them over to the Friendship Gardens.
- It was there we suffered the first flat. So they went to Fresh Air to get fixed up while we stopped in the gardens to enjoy the donuts.
- After the gardens we went to 'other gardens' and visited the Conservatory (sure enough, it was a little bit 'inside' on our all day outside).
- From there it was through Chapples to get to the College and see their new bridge and then on through the bike path to the University residences where they actually had a nice refreshment stand set up for us with juice, water and cookies. SO NICE.
- Next was a bit awkward as we went from the university through some of the area and got to visit a neat little path that joins up with Central (behind KalTire etc...). We eventually came out at Half-Way Motors. We were told they were going to have a 'welcome' for us. But it turns out it was the wrong Half-Way, had to go to the Power Sports place. Okay, a little more of a bike.
- Then it was about time to find some lunch, and on our way to Daytona's we get the second flat.
- Daytonas we have a quick meal and then we're off towards Dawson Trail Brewery
- From the brewery make our way up to Waverley park for Finn Fest (and Epic Cones). If you have not yet had Epic Cones, you have not yet lived!
- After our cones we went back to the marina to see the celebrations there and ended at the top of one of the condos - THANKS DEB.
- With everybody now having had a chance to sit, we kind of decided that it was time to part ways and enjoy the rest of it with family.
Great times!
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