Lake Superior Circle Tour Day 5: More Hanging Out in Thunder Bay

The night before, I took it somewhat easy. Ryan wasn’t drinking much, so I only had a few myself. I didn’t have to get up as early as Ryan, but I still needed to get up to go to the farmer’s market. I woke up and it was also cloudy and a bit rainy.

Overcast view of Thunder Bay waterfront showing covered pedestrian bridge, marina with boats, and Canadian flag on grey day

I then drove to the farmer’s market.

Country Market building entrance with blue metal siding, open sign visible, and person with blue umbrella outside on rainy day

The reason I was going to go to the farmer’s market is my friend Thomas had a waffle stand called, “The Waffle Bar.” It appears he got some premium advertising for it at the entrance.

Black chalkboard sign for The Waffle Bar on 2nd Floor advertising new savory waffles with fresh cherry tomatoes, herbs, garlic, cream cheese, and olive oil

When I got there, he was working away at making some waffles.

Server in plaid shirt and cap writing on chalkboard menu inside The Waffle Bar showing waffle options including The Classic with Canadian maple syrup

Both of the selections looked good!

Interior view of The Waffle Bar showing chalkboard menu column, retail merchandise display with colorful items, and rustic wood decor

Being that I like to sample traditional stuff, I got the Classic Canadian. It had real Canadian maple syrup and was very good!

Golden brown Belgian waffle with sugar coating served on white disposable plate with plastic fork

After talking with Thomas a while, I hit the road back for the hotel. One thing I notice around Thunder Bay is there are still a ton of payphones. It seems like there is one on every corner and I have not seen a city with so many payphones.

Vintage blue public telephone booth on downtown sidewalk with brick building and cosmetics salon in background

I decided to walk across the bridge to the Marina.

Blue covered pedestrian bridge entrance with wheelchair ramp leading to waterfront, grey overcast sky above

There was a bunch of things painted on the walkway.

Interior of enclosed pedestrian bridge with colorful chalk art drawings on floor including flowers, fish, and decorative patterns

I decided to walk around the Marina and take in some of the sites.

White memorial plaque on brick wall with poem Homecoming by Dianna Faye about immigrant grandparents and their grandchildren The Anchorage memorial plaque on wooden post with large ship anchor and chain displayed behind it, dedicated to naval veterans Tall flagpole with multiple Canadian flags flying, modern glass building and marina visible in background Historic naval cannon on wooden carriage with chains, overlooking green park space and harbor with sailboats Naval cannon display on brick patio with white railings, marina and boats visible in background on overcast day Stone bridge with decorative fountains spraying water, marina with boats and grain elevators visible in distance Modern abstract metal sculpture with three connected silver spherical shapes on waterfront plaza Paved waterfront walkway with stone wall, trees along path, and Lake Superior shoreline with distant grain elevator Marina with various sailboats and yachts moored at docks on calm grey water under overcast sky Metal gangway leading to marina dock with tall sailboats moored, misty lake and treeline in background

On my way back, a train was coming. It was kind of weird standing and looking at a train that was going directly under me. After that, I decided to go to Walmart to get some of the chips I had the day before. Usually when I go on vacations like this, I bring back some unique from where I was to work for my coworkers to sample.

Walmart Supercentre building exterior with blue and yellow signage, Canadian flag on pole, parking lot with vehicles Lay's Canada bacon poutine flavored potato chips package in shopping cart

I also wanted a souvenir to bring back and thought a Canadian flag would be cool. I could hang it in my apartment and it would remind me of all the good memories I had in Canada. Finding one was a bit more challenging than I thought.

After, I decided I’d eat at a bit more upscale restaurant. It was my last night in Thunder Bay. Thomas worked at a place called the Tomlin and it was right on Red River Road. It was basically almost across the road from my hotel.

Tomlin restaurant storefront with dark wood facade, large windows, and Chinese characters on signage

The place was definitely more upscale than I’m used to eating at.

Modern restaurant bar with extensive liquor collection on shelves, exposed brick wall, and bartender working

I got a beer while I waited for my food.

Muskoka Lug Tread beer bottle with empty glass and metal creamer on bar table

I ordered the salmon. It was one of the best meals I’ve had and I was happy I took up Thomas’s recommendation. I think I need to start eating like this a bit more!

Pan-seared salmon fillet with crispy skin served over dark greens with roasted beets, fresh dill, and cream sauce

I had some coffee for desert as well as a little pep since I was going to meet Ryan later and hit up the bars.

White ceramic coffee cup filled with black coffee on matching saucer

I had a little more than an hour to burn before meeting Ryan so I decided to take a stroll through the Marina again. This time I’d see it when the sun was setting.

Thunder Bay waterfront at sunset with grain elevator, sailboat on lake, and colorful evening sky Thunder Bay marina at sunset with covered pedestrian bridge, parking area, and dramatic clouds over Lake Superior Elevated cityscape view at sunset showing marina, tennis courts, rooftops, and pink-tinted clouds over Thunder Bay Marina at dusk with sailboats moored in calm water reflecting colorful sunset clouds White sailboat named Doubtlet moored at wooden dock with other boats in background at twilight Peaceful marina scene at dusk with sailboats and yachts reflected in glassy water under pastel sky Marina with numerous sailboats moored under dramatic grey and pink sunset clouds Various sailboats and motorboats docked at marina with mirror-like reflections at dusk Blue and white sailboat mounted on trailer with informational sign about Thunder Bay sailing beyond the sea Long rock breakwater jetty extending into Lake Superior with triangular warning sign at end under evening sky Tranquil Lake Superior sunset with soft pink and blue sky, distant cargo ships on horizon, and rocky foreground Rock breakwater with patches of vegetation extending into calm lake at dusk with industrial buildings visible Thunder Bay marina and waterfront with apartment buildings, sailboats, and dramatic sunset clouds breaking through Twin rock jetties extending into harbor with navigation marker pole at twilight under pink and blue sky Tall curved black tower sculpture against sunset sky at Thunder Bay waterfront with building and wooden dock visible Marina channel at dusk with sailboats moored along sides and dramatic grey clouds overhead Thunder Bay marina at twilight viewed from behind large concrete blocks with numerous boats docked Urban waterfront plaza at dusk with reflecting pool, lit buildings, and ominous storm clouds approaching Wooden marina dock at twilight with moored motorboat, trees, and sailboats in calm water Thunder Bay marina at night with sailboats moored along wooden dock, city lights reflecting on water Large industrial concrete dock structure extending into Lake Superior at dusk with grain elevators visible Dark blue Lake Superior waters at twilight with illuminated cargo ships visible on distant horizon Thunder Bay harbor at dusk showing Sleeping Giant formation, cargo ships, and grain terminal facilities Thunder Bay marina at night with dramatic storm clouds, sailboats, and city lights reflected in water Thunder Bay waterfront at night showing Water Garden building, crosswalk, and dark storm clouds with lake beyond

Now, if I ever hit it rich, it would be amazing to live in these condos or have it as a vacation home. The view is amazing from that area as you can see by the above pictures. It’s also only s a couple minute walk to downtown.

Modern waterfront condominiums with balconies at dusk against dramatic grey storm clouds

I was going to meet Ryan at Sovereign Room, but it was too packed to sit down. I texted him and we agreed to meet at On Deck. We had a couple drinks there and then headed across the street to The Pier.

The Beacon Restaurant two-story corner building illuminated at night on downtown street

Afterwards, we headed to Apollo.

Apollo restaurant storefront at night with illuminated signage and large glass windows

They had their power cut off, so everything was lit up by candle.

Bar table with beer glasses, bottles, and German flag visible in purple ambient lighting Bartender checking mobile phone by candlelight in darkened bar with purple mood lighting

We had taken a picture earlier and posted it on Facebook, but a person commented they weren’t able to see Ryan’s WASP shirt. We took another one. The flash works pretty well on my phone considering it was pretty dark in the bar with no power.

Two friends posing together in dark bar making hand gestures, one wearing WASP band t-shirt

After that, we walked to the Royalton to meet Keith. I saw this cool mural along the way.

Large mural of guitarist illuminated at night on building exterior wall near neon signage

After a drink at the Royalton, we headed to Black Pirates Pub. They had a live band.

Three-piece rock band performing on stage under purple spotlights with drums and guitars

The band was good.

After that, it was closing time. There were a lot of people in the street.

Busy downtown Thunder Bay nightlife scene with crowds gathered outside illuminated bars and restaurants with bright blue lighting

The night was fun and I walked back to my room to try to get as much sleep as possible for my upcoming 25+ hour drive that I was starting on the next day.

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