The Gauleys: Lake Superior 2021

This summer we went on a week long road trip that took us to some stunning sights that we wanted to be able to share. Cadence brought a friend and spent a good amount of time visiting other friends in a nearby community that C had met earlier in the summer.

It's a long drive to Lake Superior, but the boys hardly made a sound. We left home on Sunday morning, travelled to Neys Provincial Park for 3 nights, then on to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park where we stayed another 4 nights, returning home along highway 11 the following Sunday. After so long not going anywhere, it felt great to go adventuring.

Of course we stopped at the goose in Wawa, took a picture, people stood there and saw us, didn't say anything... then moment later we passed the visitor centre and realized we'd posed with the wrong goose. We didn't stop again.

Sample campsite setup: Neys Provincial Park

The fire ban was lifted just before we arrived, so we were able to do all our cooking at Neys on the fire. Which was more fun and also important since apparently little propane canisters are in incredible short supply (though we ended up buying a full size propane for the rest of the week).

Neys Provincial Park was completely gorgeous and I had no idea. Big waves, long sandy beach, hiking trails, sunset on the beach, tonnes of shoreline to explore. I'd love to go back there.

Hike within Neys--I did this one while the boys were doing their own hike and Drew headed into Marathon for ice, since the park ran out. It was HOT.

Both at Neys and Sleeping Giant, along the shoreline there are all kinds of plant life that otherwise only live in the arctic--rough conditions here.

Our first evening at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, we made our way to the Sea Lion at dusk. In the background you can see part of the Sleeping Giant (note how little the head is compared to the chest, for reference below) and beyond that would be the City of Thunder Bay.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park takes up most of a peninsula. Right at the very tip, though, is a tiny historical cottage community called Silver Islet. Google it; it's fascinating--look for the youtube video about the silver mine's history. This is where Cadence has visited the past two summers with a friend whose family goes back generations. We all fell in love. Lots of art and friendly people and gorgeous views. It reminded me of Nova Scotia. This was on a vacant lot between two cottages:

At Tee Harbour at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Drew and I took a day to head into Thunder Bay. Amazing lunch at Nomad (we recommend), some minor exploring and then we fled because it was just so darn hot out. We drove a little further to Kekabeka Falls where we seem not to have taken any pictures. Great to lay eyes on this important place (i.e. fur trade history).

We’d both been aware of the Sleeping Giant that you could see from the City of Thunder Bay, but neither of knew it was a) not an island or b) that you could climb it! On our last day, Drew and I did a combo mountain bike/hike to get to the top of the Sleeping Giant's head, known as the "Top of the Giant" hike. You can also hike the chest and feet...next time.