July 10: Thunder Bay to Sudbury Ontario

After hitting up Thunder Bay, it was time to say goodbye and hit the road for Toronto. The plan was to drive as far as I could and maybe stop a little bit along the way to see things. My first stop was actually in Nipigon to get some breakfast at a Robin's Donuts.

Esso gas station sign displaying Robin's Donuts, Pizza Hut, and fuel prices, with a transport truck parked in the lot and evergreen trees in the background

One thing I noticed with the drive is there were huge fluctuations in temperature as I went around Lake Superior. It would also get really foggy in spots and then be super clear in other spots.

This was a quick stop at a scenic lookout along the way.

Scenic view of a northern Ontario lake with calm blue water framed by birch trees and guardrail along the roadside Lake Superior shoreline view through green foliage with a distinctive flat-topped plateau visible across the water under partly cloudy skies Tranquil lake view through summer vegetation showing forested shoreline and blue water under cloudy skies

The stop was quick and I was soon on my way to driving again. I had to take a leak so I stopped at an information center. Unlike the rest stops I stopped along the way from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay, this one had running water, a bunch of cool artifacts inside, and even had people camping outside of it (which I was told was allowed, unlike most US rest stops).

Historic White River train station building with distinctive green pyramidal roof, cream-colored siding, and accessible ramp with green railings Vintage orange CP Rail caboose number 437136 displayed on grass with forest backdrop Covered porch of White River station with wooden deck, benches, and view of town street and buildings Interior hallway displaying historical photographs and memorabilia on walls, with doors marked for different rooms including washroom Wall exhibit documenting the White River Fire of 1999 with multiple photographs showing forest fire scenes and emergency response Interior of White River visitor center featuring historic wooden sled display, tourism information boards, and gift shop merchandise Life-size wooden carved statue of uniformed figure holding chainsaw, displayed in visitor center with mirrors and doorways visible Display case containing commemorative plaque detailing White River's historical significance and connection to Winnie the Pooh Glass display case featuring Winnie the Pooh collectibles and memorabilia with wooden sled visible in background Exhibition case with Winnie the Pooh plush toy and vintage items, tourism brochure rack visible alongside Visitor center bulletin board promoting White Lake Provincial Park with maps, information sheets, and tourism brochures Large framed display case containing grid arrangement of historical photographs documenting local history Interior museum space showing Winnie the Pooh movie posters, collectible displays on shelves, and wooden barn door Museum interior featuring Canadian flag, vintage Winnie the Pooh artwork, and carved wooden statue under vaulted ceiling Canadian flag waving on tall flagpole against blue sky with evergreen and deciduous trees below Exterior view of White River Heritage Museum building with white siding, green trim, arched window, and covered entrance porch Bicycle touring campsite with green tent and gear on grass lawn, trees and street infrastructure in background Town park with curved paved pathway, green-roofed gazebo pavilion, modern lamp post, and manicured lawn under blue sky Ontario Provincial Police SUV parked beside vintage orange CP Rail caboose number 437136 Park grounds featuring large spruce tree, brick paver area with blue picnic table, and distant commercial buildings with forested hills beyond Roadside rest area with wooden picnic table, red Canada Post mailbox, green lamp post, and parking lot with distant buildings

My next stop was this attraction sort of rest stop by Sault St. Marie.

Outdoor souvenir display featuring bronze Indigenous statue, traditional white teepee, life-size moose sculpture, and black bear statue at tourist shop entrance with pink hanging flowers Canadian Carvers gift shop storefront with prominent yellow sign featuring red maple leaf and decorative pink petunia hanging baskets Rear view of commercial building with corrugated metal roofing and parked vehicles in shade Commercial parking lot with Esso gas station, Canadian flag, orange traffic cones, and forested background Outdoor vendor stall displaying fur pelts, Indigenous crafts, and animal skins with Esso station visible in background Wooden deck entrance to gift shop with pink petunia baskets, bamboo wind chimes, and rustic railing Plush moose toy decoration with realistic antlers positioned near wooden fence and potted flowers Life-size wooden carved sculpture of Indigenous woman carrying basket, displayed on covered wooden deck with red wall and hanging flowers Vintage air service station sign advertising tire and inflatable service with coiled blue air hose mounted on horizontal wood siding

As with the other stops, I took a quick leak and hit the road again. I made it to yet another rest stop with running water and was able to catch the sunset.

Empty parking lot at dusk with illuminated street lamp and silhouetted conifer and deciduous trees Dramatic sunset with orange and purple clouds, Canadian flag on pole, and forest silhouette at twilight Elliot Lake visitor information center at dusk featuring distinctive green peaked roof, brick block walls, and illuminated red entrance door City of Elliot Lake illuminated sign showing silhouette of ATV rider jumping, mounted on grey brick wall Tourism information board displaying Deer Trail Touring Route map with lakes, highways, and regional attractions City of Elliot Lake promotional poster showing snowmobiler catching air on yellow and black snowmobile in powder snow Bronze deer sculptures of buck and doe on rock pedestal at dusk near roadway with forest backdrop Bronze sculpture depicting two bucks with locked antlers in sparring position mounted on white granite base with gravel landscaping Elliot Lake Deer Trail Driving Tour roadside sign on stacked stone base with red background and white lettering against forest backdrop Elliot Lake visitor information center at dusk featuring green peaked metal roof, grey block construction, and red entrance door with white pergolas Row of flagpoles at municipal park grounds during twilight with manicured lawn and trees silhouetted against evening sky Dramatic orange and pink sunset with flagpoles and tree silhouettes along park pathway Vivid pink and orange sunset clouds over park grounds with flagpoles and paved walkway lined by deciduous trees Orange and grey sunset with bird in flight silhouetted against dramatic clouds, Canadian flag and street lamp visible Seagull perched atop illuminated nautical-style lamp post against vibrant orange and pink sunset sky

Later that night I needed gas and I was hungry, so I stopped and got some pepperoni sticks and a sandwich after filling up. I ended up staying the night at another rest stop around Sudbury, Ontario.

Jar of Rippin' Me brand Old Fashioned Mild Dry Peppers with bilingual English and French labeling held in hand Quality Streets SuperLoaded Sub sandwich package photographed in low light conditions Atmospheric nighttime photograph of illuminated restroom entrance creating glowing effect through fog or mist

The bugs were definitely killer at this rest stop. Luckily it was cold enough I could keep the windows fully up and not burn up, like I would have in Texas this time of year. I was able to get some sleep and be ready for another long day of driving the next day.

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