How to Reconnect with Nature in Thunder Bay

Only a few weeks ago, I watched enthusiastic runners participate in the annual Terry Fox run, some sprinted past my house, while others walked at a relaxed pace. Terry Fox’s epic journey ended in Thunder Bay. Weeks later, I happen to find myself standing beside his monument, looking out over Lake Superior.

The Journey

The trip to Thunder Bay was epic for many reasons, fulfilling a promise, and satisfying a need to traverse physical space. As a natural traveller whose wings had been clipped. It was time.

Driving from Southern Ontario along Canada’s longest national road, which crosses through the ten provinces of Canada, the Trans-Canada highway allows for the following:

• An appreciation of the vastness of the Province of Ontario
• A greater understanding of the human diversity of the country
• A glimpse of the overwhelming beauty of the flora and fauna, especially in the fall.

The Superior -Gichigami

The highway hugs the Superior in a warm embrace, through parks, territories, small towns. Along the way, these towns and villages will encourage you, via highway signs, to visit. They have managed to find some popular historical connection, no matter how fragile, as to why you should share a memory in their humble abode. Choices range from Canada’s iconic artists, the Group of Seven connections, to Winnie the Pooh.

Thunder Bay is a city of two hearts, formed by the merging of two cities, Fort William and Port Arthur. The power of nature permeates the city via the freshness of the world’s largest freshwater lake, by surface area – The Superior.

Gordon Lightfoot, captured the nuance of the Lake in his song, about the Edmond Fitzgerald which sank in the Superior in 1975, lost with all hands.

“The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they called Gitche Gumee
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy”

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald – Gordon Lightfoot

The indigenous people used names which described the area for people who traversed their territory. The name was like a map which described prominent natural features of the area. The indigenous dominant culture on both sides of the Canada/US border around the Superior is Anishaabe or Ojibwe. In the Ojibwe language, Lake Superior – is known as – Anishinaabewi-gichigami – Anishinaabe’s Sea, or Huge water. Indeed, looking out over the Superior, it does have the energy and force of any salt water ocean you might encounter.

Thunder Bay is known as an “outdoor” city, which is why it is a perfect place to enjoy nature an participate in physical activities such as walking, hiking, or climbing. The benefits of walking in nature are well documented:

• Boosts the immune system by increasing phytoncides
• Increases Vitamin D
• Improves productivity

Find an activity which best suits your preferences and abilities.

Terry Fox

Just outside the city is the Terry Fox National Historic Monument. The pain of running a marathon a day on the old style prosthetic leg is unimaginable. If you look at the sleek aero dynamic prosthetics used by para-athletes today, you have even more respect for the courage of Terry Fox.

The nation was rooting for the courageous, young amputee, who undertook the gruelling endeavour, as a cancer survivor to run across Canada. I do remember the media hype building, fuelling donations for cancer research, as he got closer to his goal. There is a highway sign commemorating the place where is was forced to end his marathon of hope, at milepost 3,339. It is fitting that the spirit of human courage embodied in the Terry Fox monument faces the Sleeping Giant.

Sleeping Giant – Nanabijou – The Spirit of the Deep Water

The natural wonder for which Thunder Bay is best known is the Sleeping Giant. The Ojibway story tells us that Nanabiju – the Spirit of the Deep Water, turned to stone when the secret location of the silver mine beneath the rocks was revealed to colonial miners. The rich silver mine is now known as Silver Inlet. Nature won in the end, as the mine flooded and never opened again. The giant in repose, he reminds me of he from the Marvel comics, a powerful figure to awaken.

The unique formation of a reclining figure on the cliff caused by eroded igneous rock, in addition, it is also home to the highest cliffs in Southern Ontario.

The “Wow!” factor is amazing. There is a majestic beauty found in the north at this time of year, especially along the Trans-Canada highway with its breathtaking vista. Imagine driving a scenic route with a Great Lake on one side, and cliffs, or a steep drop on the other. This highway introduces you to the courage of North. That is the foundation which made the indigenous people wisdom keepers of their domain, and voyageurs indebted to them for sharing their knowledge.

Kakabeka Falls

The final natural wonder, which shouldn’t be missed if you are in the area, is the forty metre high, Kakabeka Falls on the Kaministiquia river. The viewing areas has been carefully constructed to capture all sides of its phenomenal beauty all year round. It just pops, especially around the second level where you turn away from the falls and look into the ethereal vista of the Kaministiquia river.

Find Your Courage

To journey through Thunder Bay is to feel the courageous energy throughout. Of young people leaving their countries, and families to attend Lakehead University here. Of Indigenous children leaving their reserves for the first time, to attend school because the courses available on the reserves are limited. The courage of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre hospital staff, who provide medical care specific to the needs of the people of the North.

In the final analysis, Thunder Bay has a lot to offer those who love to escape to, and interact with the natural environment.

The power of its monuments, both natural and man made, show we are all sleeping giants. Once we push through the fear and pain, learn to be in the present, then we are able to seek our vision. The natural attributes of many of these spaces have a restorative power. It has long been known that we feel more stress, and disconnection the less contact we have with nature. In Thunder Bay, learning from nature is a fluid process. Immersing yourself in nature will help to reduce any stress and anxiety.

What in nature inspires you?

How will you awaken your sleeping giant?