August 31, 2014 Rossport, Ontario to WaWa, Ontario

Unsalted and shark free. Two reasons to choose Superior over an ocean.

It all depends on the weather and the weather says “Yes.” The day dawns clear and beautiful and bright. So, we contract with Superior Outfitters for a tandem kayak and paddle out into/onto the placid waters of Rossport Harbor.

And the day is perfection and the lake is inviting. We’ve are given a “route” around Nicol Island, which takes a little more than an hour of paddling alternated with silent drifting while absorbing our surroundings. The water is so clear that we can see the rocky underpinnings of the island until they drop deeply off. Loons keep us company and wildflowers punctuate the shoreline.  Did I say perfection?

Rainbow Falls flows out of Lake Superior to form the Hewitson River. We follow a boardwalk trail downstream, (180 more stairs), along the rushing river to a bridge over a narrow gorge where we stand to watch the water twist and turn and splash on its way.

Rainbow Falls

Totally different and more dramatic is Aquasabon Falls. As we step down a lengthy staircase to a viewing area each person we meet says “it’s worth it.” And indeed it is.

The falls froth over a high crag and cascade into a deep constricted ravine and then disappear into the mixed greens of the forest.  Worth it.

Aquasabon Falls

In White River is a rather large statue of Winnie Pooh.  The bear A.A Milne based his stories on was orphaned near White River when a hunter killed her mother. She was adopted by a soldier who named her Winnipeg, after his hometown. She was eventually donated to the London Zoo where she became a favorite attraction. There she won the hearts of A. A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin. It was Christopher who added the “Pooh” to her name.

A statue of the real Winnie can be found at the London Zoo. The inscription reads in part:

 “She gave her name to “Winnie-the-Pooh” and A.A. Milne and Ernest Shepard gave “Winnie-the-Pooh” to the rest of the world.”

PS: Ernest Shepard is the illustrator who created the image that we know (before Disney Studios turned her into a cartoon).

Therefore, White River is where Winnie the Pooh was born. No disputing it. No kidding.

Young’s General Store in WaWa is jam-packed with meticulously organized merchandise. It has an old-fashioned feel with long counters. The hand-operated cash registers have big fat buttons that look like they take some muscle to depress.

Rest Rooms at Young's (fully functional)

We opt to eat in the dining room of the Best Northern Motel where Polish cooking and pierogis highlight the menu. I try the beef, chicken and sauerkraut pierogi. Jim sticks to steak.