Forwards Not Backwards Voyageurs

My husband, Peter, and I are taking a big step to realize our dream to travel around the world.  We're quitting our perfectly good jobs, selling our worldly possessions and venturing off.

It is going to be an exciting time, and hopefully, a year full of experiences and adventures.

As good citizens of the 21st century, we've of course decided to document our travels on a blog.  Yes...that right...another blog...

I will continue to blog here for non-travel related musings but for the next year, you will mostly find my posts on our new travel blog www.AlwaysTwirling.com.  

You Simpsons fans will know where this name comes from.

As to why we chose it? Because we hope to always "move forward, not backward, upward not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling."

Thunder Bay views

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

It's been much too long since I put fingers to keyboard on this blog.  The reasons are many and unimportant, what brought me back is what I'm interested in.

Earlier this summer, my lucky stars aligned and I won a trip for 4 to Thunder Bay from Thunder Bay Tourism.  And that is how a few weeks ago, I along with my husband and two friends found ourselves in beautiful Thunder Bay.

I won't pretend I knew anything about Thunder Bay before the trip.  Like many, Thunder Bay never entered my realm of consideration for a holiday.  All this to say that I embarked on this trip with little knowledge and few expectations.

I was, however, pleasantly surprised by this northern city.

As it was a trip organized by Thunder Bay Tourism, we were provided ample opportunities to sample the best the city (and surrounding areas) had to offer.  As can be expected, the city's proximity to wilderness was one of its best features.  If you like adventure, wildlife and beautiful vistas, it has plenty to offer on all counts.  You won't find easy access to wilderness like this anywhere near Toronto.

The view from a lookout in Nipigon

The city itself was also a pleasant surprise.  It is much more sophisticated than I had expected.  We had several great meals at lovely restaurants with top contemporary cuisine and lengthy wine lists.  We also had a chance to dine at a great Indian restaurant.  Good ethnic cuisine is not something I had expected to find.

Another surprise was the journey in getting there.  With Porter Airlines flying from downtown Toronto to Thunder Bay, getting there was a 2 hour breeze -- faster than getting up to Muskoka on a summer weekend.

Now the ultimate question of every trip is, of course, would you go back?  Overall, I had a great time and given the opportunity, I would definitely go back and explore the many provincial parks and outdoor adventures it has to offer.

If you would like to win your own trip to Thunder Bay, here's a new contest they're running for a winter trip for two with some wonderful activities included.
http://www.thunderbay.ca/Visiting/Events__Festivals_and_Contests/WinterWin_Contest.htm


Below are my top recommendations for those visiting Thunder Bay:

Thunder Bay Marina

Things to do:

• Epic Adventures - If you're looking for fun in the great outdoors, give Mike at Epic Adventures a shout.  Kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, orienteering, he's got you covered.  And he'll show you some beautiful sights around Nipigon (1hr outside of Thunder Bay) that only a local would know.

• Archie's Fishing Charter - If you're into fishing, Archie is your man.  He'll help you catch that salmon on Lake Superior while he fills you in on local history.

• Thunder Bay Observatory - One of the great things about Northern Ontario is the night sky.  City dwellers like me seldom get to see so many stars.  If you've ever dreamed of exploring the stars, Randy at Thunder Bay Observatory is the man you want to help you navigate the skies.  You won't find anyone with more passion about astronomy or with a bigger private telescope!  If you're lucky enough to be in town during one of his open houses, definitely take the opportunity to check it out.

Kakabeka Falls

Places to visit:

• Kakabeka Falls - Niagara's smaller cousin doesn't flow quite as mighty but is beautiful nonetheless and well worth a short detour out of town.  On the plus side, it's located in its own provincial park, so you can have your views without the kitschiness of Niagara.

• Sleeping Giant Provincial Park - Bambi must have been from here.  During our 3 days stay at the park we saw close to a dozen deer.  The park is full of wildlife and beautiful sights.  An overnight trip to the park is a must if you ever visit Thunder Bay.

Food:

• Masala Grille - The food is spicy and the service is great.  I'd bet it's the best Indian restaurant for miles.

• Bistro One - Among the best fine dining establishments in the area.  Not much to look at from the exterior and weirdly located in something resembling an industrial park, but the food is excellent and the wine list ample.  One tip, don't skip the dessert!

• Caribou Restaurant and Wine Bar - Great food, great service.  If you're looking for something special but with a relaxed atmosphere, this is the place.

• Hoito - For a little bit of history with your pancakes, head over to Hoito at the Finlandia Club and experience authentic Finnish food.  You know the place has history when it has its own Wikipedia entry!  Try a karjalanpiiraat while you're there. Then try to say it!

Can we give without buying?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Considering the sheer amount of marketing out there, you have to live under a rock not to know that by now. (Incidentally, if you climb out from under your rock, you'll notice it's pink).

I fully support the fight against cancer, and as a bona fide chick, I even like pink on occasion, but does all our giving must come in a pretty package we buy? I don't fault causes trying to be creative with their message or with how they raise funds, but is this really what it takes for us to give these days?

From project RED, to the pinkification of breast cancer, to the redification of heart disease, marketers are having a field day tying their brands to good causes and making a killing in the meantime. The fact is, that pink thingamobob you buy this month is likely 10% for the cause and 90% for thingamobob Inc.

There is nothing wrong with a charity being a bit creative in their fundraising efforts, or with a company enhancing their corporate social responsibility portfolio with some cute products tied to a cause, but shopping is overtaking giving and the sea of colourful products grows every year. The flood of "charitable" products has gotten so large that it is drowning out the orginal message of the cause.

Did you buy that pink blender because it's cute, because it's in support of breast cancer, or do you even care anymore? Now I may be an antiquated joy killer for saying this but I really don't think shopping is how we're suppose to fulfill the spirit of charity.

Whatever happened to just giving? Plain vanilla, colourless, productless giving?