Mountains and lakes are our spiritual home so the road trip of the Great Lakes ticked all the boxes. It also meant we ventured into Canada, crossing the land borders with the USA, which required additional paperwork when picking up our hire car for the next six weeks.
Airport Road Arrivals Level, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
An upgrade to business class is always welcome, and had us rested and relaxed, ready for the start of our adventure around the Great Lakes of USA and Canada, Canada being a new addition to our road trips.
Finger Lakes New York State
Heading straight out of Boston we stopped overnight in Auburn NY before a long drive to the Finger Lakes NY and the weird experience staying in an almost deserted huge hotel! The Finger Lakes are so named due to the shape of them, stretching out almost like long fingers from Lake Ontario. The area is predominantly working wineries and cheese outlets, although most things seemed to be still closed at this early stage of the year. We drove down the side of Cayuga Lake towards Ithaca as the mist and fog descended, from the road you only catch odd glimpses of the lake anyway. Lots of weeping willows and magnificent magnolias brightened the otherwise dismal landscape.
The Taughannock Falls were shrouded in mist and the rain coming down discouraged us from walking the trail to the foot of the falls. Continuing on to Ithaca we couldn’t find anything there which attracted us to stop. Maybe in the summer season when shops and businesses are open and the sun is shining the place may be different. Heading westwards to drive back up Senaca lake we made a wrong turn, and found the delightful Berta’s cafe where we had coffee and were unable to resist the homemade blueberry scones. The drive northwards offered little of excitement so the evening was spent browsing the designer outlets before an early night.
The Finger Lakes are so named due to the shape of them, stretching out almost like long fingers from Lake Ontario. The area is predominantly working wineries and cheese outlets, although most things seemed to be still closed at this early stage of the year. We drove down the side of Cayuga Lake towards Ithaca as the mist and fog descended, from the road you only catch odd glimpses of the lake anyway. Lots of weeping willows and magnificent magnolias brightened the otherwise dismal landscape.
The Taughannock Falls were shrouded in mist and the rain coming down discouraged us from walking the trail to the foot of the falls. Continuing on to Ithaca we couldn’t find anything there which attracted us to stop. Maybe in the summer season when shops and businesses are open and the sun is shining the place may be different. Heading westwards to drive back up Senaca lake we made a wrong turn, and found the delightful Berta’s cafe where we had coffee and were unable to resist the homemade blueberry scones. The drive northwards offered little of excitement so the evening was spent browsing the designer outlets before an early night.
It’s one of those things that’s on everyone’s bucket list, something you’re going to get round to one day.... Well today was the day! We crossed the Rainbow Bridge over the river separating USA and Canada, no delays or issues with crossing the border and were soon checked into our hotel ( its all my sister’s fault, she sent me the picture of the hotel and the views over the falls so it was a no-brainier as to where we had to stay!). The views from the room were stunning, but we tore ourselves away to get closer and viewed the American Falls before heading back over the bridge into USA again on foot. The crossing of the borders posed no problem as we made our way back over into the USA and then Canada again. We were surprised how easy it was to hop between the two countries. The Horseshoe Falls were shrouded by mist which spread across the town giving it a ghostly feel. Fortunately there were not too many people about and we could see the falls easily without having to jostle for space. The noise of the water thundering over was immense, watching the river before it hit the falls it was truly wild, and full of huge ice blocks which we had seen from above when crossing the bridge on entering Niagara. We walked round to the Horseshoe Falls but the mist obscured them sadly. We decided to push the boat out for dinner (the excuse was it’s our sons birthday so we should celebrate!) and booked a table at the steakhouse with views over the falls. We were not disappointed the views were fabulous as we enjoyed the most delicious steaks followed by a Baked Alaska which was so good I’ll forever be disappointed with any other one! After dark the falls are illuminated in varying hues and colours, which we just had to open the window and endure the cold to truly appreciate. Unfortunately we were too early for the fireworks which only starts later this month.
Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Waking with anticipation of views of the falls, which was dashed as we opened the curtains to find everything in heavy mist, which stayed with us whilst in Niagara Falls, the shoreline of Lake Ontario and Niagara on the Lake.
Niagara on the Lake was a delightful town, a complete contrast to the brashness of Niagara Falls. Period buildings, arty shops and a feeling of peace, even if we still couldn’t see the lake!
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
Starting the Lake Superior Circle Tour
Sault St Marie to Wawa Ontario Canada
Waking to the forecasted rain and clouds we were pleased that today was a travelling day. We had however thought to stop along the way and view the Lakes Pancake Bay, do some short walks in Lake Superior Provincial Park... none of which we were able to do. Rain itself doesn't worry us much, we live in Manchester UK after all! However, being too early in the year for the area everything was still closed after a very bad and late winter!
It was interesting to see that the road was not quite the wilderness we had been led to believe it was, but lots of small homesteads and businesses along the way. Stopping at a picnic stop to view the historical marker which is exactly mid way along the Trans Canadian Highway we discovered the rushing waters of Chippewa Falls and took the path to view then better and found further falls slightly further upriver.
Snow still not completely melted among the trees, became more pronounced as the road took us further inland in the Park and we passed many lakes still frozen over. We eventually ventured off the road ignoring the ‘closed’ signs and briefly explored Old Woman Bay hurrying back to the shelter of the car.
Arriving too early for check in to our cabin for three nights we drove around the small town of Wawa noting the giant statues of Canadian Geese outside of the visitors centre - closed ! and the general store which we will explore tomorrow, and found the central hub of town… Tim Hortons! Everyone seemed to be in there and everyone knew each other or so it seemed. Lake Wawa was a beautiful sight, still mainly frozen, looking forward to exploring it more when the rain eases off, fingers crossed for the weather!
Starting the Lake Superior Circle Tour
Sault St Marie to Wawa Ontario Canada
Waking to the forecasted rain and clouds we were pleased that today was a travelling day. We had however thought to stop along the way and view the Lakes Pancake Bay, do some short walks in Lake Superior Provincial Park... none of which we were able to do. Rain itself doesn't worry us much, we live in Manchester UK after all! However, being too early in the year for the area everything was still closed after a very bad and late winter!
It was interesting to see that the road was not quite the wilderness we had been led to believe it was, but lots of small homesteads and businesses along the way. Stopping at a picnic stop to view the historical marker which is exactly mid way along the Trans Canadian Highway we discovered the rushing waters of Chippewa Falls and took the path to view then better and found further falls slightly further upriver.
Snow still not completely melted among the trees, became more pronounced as the road took us further inland in the Park and we passed many lakes still frozen over. We eventually ventured off the road ignoring the ‘closed’ signs and briefly explored Old Woman Bay hurrying back to the shelter of the car.
Arriving too early for check in to our cabin for three nights we drove around the small town of Wawa noting the giant statues of Canadian Geese outside of the visitors centre - closed ! and the general store which we will explore tomorrow, and found the central hub of town… Tim Hortons! Everyone seemed to be in there and everyone knew each other or so it seemed. Lake Wawa was a beautiful sight, still mainly frozen, looking forward to exploring it more when the rain eases off, fingers crossed for the weather!
Wawa, Ontario, Canada
New Pukaskwa Road, Pic River 50, Ontario, Canada
Marathon, Ontario, Canada
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
