When you get way up here, Canada, the great white north, you see some amazing sights. The stars are brighter (with less nighttime light pollution), less cars on the road, and a peace that gives you a chance to kick back and enjoy the clear night sky. Someone in the distance is burning a couple logs on the fire, with the faint smell of s’mores wafting through the air, mixing with the scent of pine and maple. Everyone is settling in for the night and the moose are just waking up for their midnight wandering. Nights are about sitting with friends around the fire, sharing stories, and experiencing the north in a way that’s just not possible in other places. Well, perhaps it is, but you have the best hockey versus curling debates in Canada. Late June is the best time to talk about ice sports because Canadian wait through baseball, basketball and football to get back to the sports close to our hearts. From hanging out at the Tim Hortons to taking a walk around the block, there is nothing like the clear night sky, a fire, friends, and endless possibilities of adventure.
I’m on a boat (on Ramsey Lake)
One of the nice things about Sudbury is the many lakes. We went down to Ramsey lake is right in the middle of the city and rented canoes and kayaks for a day on the water. We were mostly ok with the sun, although no one remembered to spray their knees with sunscreen, resulting in some funny walking overall it was a relaxing day of paddling and fishing on the calm lake. We heard the music playing from the Northern Lights Boreal Festival in Bell Park, and hopped out for some snacks and a washroom break when it seemed that fishing was not working out (as we caught nothing more than minnows). The University has an outdoor center where they rent all sorts of watercraft, check them out at the waterfront or online here. It was pretty inexpensive and a good time was had by all. Lessons learned? Always wear more sunscreen, try not to tip the canoe, and two person canoes are faster than kayaks.
Have fun and be safe out on the water!
The worlds biggest pocket change
One of the interesting things about visiting northern Ontario was a trip to the Big Nickel. Yes, its actually a giant nickel. You can read all about it on
Wikipedia here or just read on. Its about 30ft tall and site on pillars next to Dynamic Earth, home of a mine museum and activity center near Copper Cliff in Sudbury. Located right next the Super Stack (the chimney of the smelter) the big Nickel is one of the more interesting things to see in Sudbury. As someone said recently, “its a big piece of pocket change, I don’t get it”. While that’s true, its exactly the point. Its interesting that the nickel itself was organically very controversial and we built three feet outside of city limits, today it has become a landmark synonymous with Sudbury,
French River Trading
One of the excellent stops on the trip was the French River Trading Post. Located just south of Sudbury right at French River at 20112 Hwy 69 S, ON-69, French River, ON P0M 1A0, and you can call them at 705) 857-2115 (mention the site and make us famous), or check out their website here. We enjoyed an excellent lunch, hung out at the store, and saw the many interesting things they had for sale. We even stopped by the fudge counter and sampled some of the sugar and maple filled treats they had for sale, it was an amazing experience. If you need a moose hat or t shirt to remember your time in Canada (or Northern Ontario), stop by the trading post and check out the many hilarious t shirts, unique souvenirs, or pieces of art.
