Day 35 Rest Day in Thunder Bay, Ontario

Everyone's equipment was soaked from the last two days of rain.  Therefore, our first order of business on rest day was to spread our tents, sleeping bags, and other gear  out on the university lawn to dry.  Thankfully, today was sunny, with a predicted high of 79F.  While the sun was drying our gear, cyclists worked to clean, lube and repair bikes for the grueling 6 days we expect riding on the Canadian Shield to Sault St. Marie at the east end of Lake Superior.  The tour director indicated that the steep terrain in this region makes riding here even more challenging than the passes of the Canadian Rockies.

Cyclists on the far right of this photo are working on bicycles while the sun dries out soaked tents, sleeping bags, and other gear. 

 

 

Following the terrible weather yesterday, I awoke this morning with a soar throat.  To make sure that I wasn't infected with COVID, I took a self test, which thankfully, showed a negative result.  I will forge on!  

 

Thunder Bay is Canada's third largest port.  Much of the grain that we saw growing on the Canadian prairies is harvested and shipped out of Thunder Bay.  There is a very large Finnish-Canadian community here.  As many as 15,000 Finnish descended Canadians are living in Thunder Bay, the largest Finnish community outside of Finland, and they take great pride in their Finnish ancestry and heritage.  Walking into the Finnish District of Thunder Bay really felt like being in Finland.  The streets were decorated in blue and white (the colors of the Finnish flag), the buildings were in the traditional Scandinavian style, and there were saunas everywhere.  Below you see the sign for Kanga's Sauna and Spa advertising private rooms and daily specials.

I am happy to report that the sore throat faded during the day, and I'm feeling good!  I hit the road early again tomorrow, and serve on galley crew tomorrow night!  Posts for tomorrow may appear late, due to long ride and galley service afterward.  Check in again to see tomorrow's adventure!