More trip pictures

We are finally in a place where I can update the past few days, so I'll do this in a series of new posts to keep the activities separate.

Last time I posted we had spent day #1 traveling through Niagara Falls and into central Ontario for the night.

We spent night #1 in Espanola, Ontario (spot A on map below). Of the 3 hotels we would end up in on the trip out, it was the most expensive and lowest quality. Does this say something about Canada? And, o yes, it was indeed in a paper mill town. Anyone ever been near a paper mill town? At least we couldn't smell it with the windows closed. But the scenery around was beautiful (minus the white plumes coming out of the smokestacks).

Day #2 we visited Manitoulin Island, the largest island on a freshwater lake in the world. (Spot B on the map below.) We had only a few hours, so we found a trail called the Cup and Saucer trail and hiked it to an overlook, which was part of the trail on top of 70' cliffs.

Back on the road, we headed west for Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, which would be our last town before our American re-entry into Sault Ste Marie, MI (spot C on the map). Between these two towns, the St Mary's River (hence Ste Marie) connects Lake Superior with Lake Huron. The river is rough here as it falls (hence Sault) about 15'. The Army Corps of Engineers has built a series of canal locks to enable the huge lake ships to pass from one lake to another. We got there at dusk, so were just able to see some massive ships passing through. Since this is the off-season, we were not able to get into the park where you are able to get almost within touching distance of the ships as they pass, but still got close enough to be impressed with the massive size of these ships.

Passing out of town, we headed west through the upper peninsula of Michigan before arriving in the town of Munising on the shore of Lake Superior for night #2.

Map of south-central Ontario. We entered at the lower right (Niagara Falls) and left at upper left (Sault Ste Marie).

View of the North Channel of Lake Huron from Manitoulin Island.

A resolute birch standing alone above Manitoulin Island.

The family (minus the photographer) overlooking Georgian Bay. This bay is the large body of water located to the southeast of B on the map.

The scenery as we approached Sault Ste Marie.

Amish buggy sign near Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. The buggy shown is more of the open carriage type. This reminded us of how widespread the Amish community has become.

Scene from the bridge as we drove back into the US. Lake Superior is in view.

Not easily seen in the photo, but the words "Welcome to the United States" are above the entryway. Flag at half staff because of the Fort Hood shootings.