Road Tripping Algoma - Destination Lake Superior
A Big Drive To A Big Lake
Road tripping is defined as a long journey, especially one that is recreational or spontaneous, taken in an automobile. Does embarking on a thrilling adventure through Ontario's Algoma region, tracing the rugged coastline of Lake Huron North Channel and the majestic shores of Lake Superior, qualify?
We have a week to find out, let's go.
Day one:
Leaving behind the bustling streets of Toronto, our journey commences as we make our way north; today's destination, Algoma Mills, according to Google, is five and a half hours away.
Lake Lauzon Resort, situated along the shore of its name, Sake Lake, offers a tranquil setting for our first night on the road. The resort offers a variety of accommodation options, from a bunkie to cottages and even a houseboat floating by the dock. We settled into our comfy room in the main building. The sliding glass door offers a lake view and leads to a deck, a perfect spot to linger in the morning over coffee and tea as the sun burns through the mist.
Day two:
We begin our journey with a quick stop at Maple Acres in Blind River to purchase fresh, mouth-watering fritters for the road. In Iron Bridge, we stroll through the Iron Bridge Historical Museum, where we can learn about the local history and immerse ourselves in the tales of the past. In Bruce Mines, we have lunch at the Cooper Bean Cafe and enjoy our second round of coffee and tea for the day.
Time to cover some distance, we add a few hundred kilometres to the odometer before taking a short hike along the beautiful Chippewa Falls to stretch our legs.
Next on the itinerary was a visit to the Lake Superior Provincial Park Visitors Center; we purchased a park permit and walked down to Pebble Beach to dip a finger in Lake Superior; yep, it's cold.
If one stop on our itinerary deserves the stroke of a highlighter, it is Old Woman Bay. Located at the western end of Lake Superior Provincial Park, the spectacular setting of water, sand, and towering rock cliffs makes Old Woman Bay one of the iconic vistas of the north shore.
Before we can set up on the beach for some R&R, we have one more "to do" on our day plan.
Across the highways, the Nokomis Hiking Trail meanders through the forest before climbing high above the beach; what a view! Hike done, we set up on the beach, book in hand.
Finally, we reached our last destination for the day, Naturally Superior Adventures, where we found peaceful accommodation in a glamping dome on the beach and enjoyed the serenity of our surroundings.
Day Three:
We were excited to try paddleboarding for the first time. It was a fantastic experience as we glided through the crystal-clear waters. We explore locally and visit Sandy Beach, which is stunningly beautiful. We are enthralled by the rushing water wall that is the Scenic High Falls and spend some time with the famous Wawa Goose.
Back at our Dome, we enjoy an evening by the campfire and watch as the day drifts to night over Lake Superior.
Day Four:
The trip home begins. Driving east along the Trans Canada Highway 17, the road drops away, presenting one more view of Old Women's Bay... so good.
Rolling through Lake Superior Provincial Park, we stop at Katherine Cove, Agawa Lookout and hike to the Agawa Pictographs.
We spent some time shopping at Agawa Crafts and the Canadian Carver, then stop by The Voyageur's Lodge and Cookhouse for one of their famous apple fritters.
Known for its vibrant street murals showcasing the city's artistic spirit, we search for murals in Sault Ste. Marie before heading over to the Canal District, where we watch boats navigate the Soo Locks, hike White Fish Island to the edge of the St. Marys River and enjoy a delicious late lunch/early dinner at Mill Steakhouse.
Home for the night is at Fairfield Inn, Sault Ste. Marie.
Day Five:
We get an early start on what's promising to be an exciting day.
The first stop is Echo Bay and the Giant Loonie. You can find the monument along Highway 17B in the Village of Echo Bay, a short detour from Highway 17. The structure was constructed in 1992 and is a dedication to Mr. Robert R. Carmichael, the artist responsible for creating the Loon Dollar design and a Township resident.
Next in Bruce Mines - we stop at the marina and the Moments of Algoma Panel, where Tom Thomson painted the town's waterfront.
We take a slight detour along Highway 129 to Cummings Lake Lookout Trail, also known as Rock Candy Mountain Trail, which offers a fun hike to the day's grand vista number one.
We follow the Deer Trail Touring Loop counter-clockwise, enjoying the remote drive along the Little White River. The day's grand vista number two is courtesy of the Fire Tower Lookout in Elliot Lake.
Back on Highway 17, we stop at the Serpent River Park rest area and walk to the edge of Kennebec Falls. Hungry from a day on the road, we grab a pizza from North Channel Pizza before dropping our bags for a two-night stay at Blue Heron Resort.
Day six:
Cottage life is a good life. While Stacey indulges in her take-it-anywhere hobby of a good book and a glass of wine, I embark on a mission to catch dinner with local guide Adam Valee of Angling Algoma. Challenging conditions on the water tested Adam's skills, but I am happy to say the fish were reeled in, and good times were had.
Our last evening on the road concludes with the warm rays of a setting sun over the Lake Huron North Channel.
Day Seven:
As we embarked on the final leg of our road trip, we bid farewell to Algoma, cherishing the unforgettable memories we created.
That said, a road trip is not over until it's over, and there are still many miles to cover and things to see.
There is the Big Nickel in Sudbury. The nine-metre (30 ft) replica of a 1951 Canadian nickel is located at the Dynamic Earth Science Museum.
Lunch at French River Trading Post is a must; the burgers here are awesome.
The final stop is the French River Provincial Park Visitor Centre. The centre exhibits the fascinating history of the First Nations, French and English cultures that have inhabited, laboured and journeyed through these waters for centuries. Additionally, you can explore the river gorge by walking across the bridge outside.
Did our adventure meet the definition of a road trip? It perfectly fulfilled the road trip definition, except for the spontaneous part, as some planning was involved.
Have you had the opportunity to explore Ontario's Algoma region? We would love to hear about your adventures or answer any questions you may have. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
