On June 3rd, we left Michigan, but due to the winds and heavy rains we only traveled to Ashland, Wisconsin.
We parked at the city park in Ashland on the bay. The rain did stop but not the winds all day until sunset. But what a view from the camper!
They have a very nice walking path in town. It used to be a dock for the lumber industry to float in logs and then load them on rail cars for transport to the mills.
It is a popular fishing town with this fish statue on US-2 going through town.
They also have 9 large murals on the buildings in town showing the features of the past. This mural is of the ore dock that used to exist. The iron ore was brought into town on the railroads and then loaded into ships for transport to the mills.
The old ore dock was torn down a few years ago and left the base which is now used as a fishing dock for the community.
On Monday June 4th we left Ashland and traveled to Minnesota.
On the drive we stopped at Gooseberry falls along the highway. This is a beautiful waterfall under the road in several separate falls.
All along the North shore the communities welcome visitors with these signs.
We stopped in Grand Marias for the night and walked into town. This is an artist community. We found this bait shop whit the fish through the building!
Our view out over the harbor was great, with the breakers a short distance out.
On Tuesday We visited the Grand Portage National Monument which is an area to show the areas history from the fur trapping days.
They have rebuilt part of the old fort that was used for trading purposes by the Northwest Trading Company.
We also drove up to the Grand Portage State park and welcome center which sits on the international border.
We hiked up to the High Falls to the viewing platform on the Pigeon River, which is the Border between the US and Canada. This is the highest falls in Minnesota.
On Wednesday morning June 6 we arrived at the dock for the Sea Hunter III, for our trip to Isle Royale. We were concerned as the boat was full and they loaded you based on when you bought your ticket. We were next to the last to board and had to sit outside for the 1 1/2 hour trip to the island. Our luck was great! as the rain held off and the lake was fairly calm.
It also gave us a great view of the harbor on Isle Royle as we pulled in. 
While on the island we went hiking! Nancy made it across this bridge. We only had 4 hours on the island so it had to be a short hike of about 4 miles.
On the return trip the boarding process was reversed and we were the 2nd to load on the boat. We got seats inside the cabin, the lake was not as friendly as the waves were kicking up causing several people to get sick. We arrived back at the dock where we left for Canada. We breezed through customs and soon found a campsite in Thunder Bay Ontario.
Thursday morning we started traveling west on the Trans Canada Highway. Ontario is a lot of curves, hills and rock! But the drive was beautiful and we got to see 3 moose along the road as well as much evidence of beavers with dams, and houses.
Late on Thursday we arrived in Manitoba. Where we found a Provincial Park campground for the night.
On Friday morning we started out for Winnipeg. We passed this sign which marked the center of Canada.
Just as we arrived in Winnipeg we stopped at the Canadian Mint where they make the coins for Canada.
As you drive in the drive it is lined with many flags that represent the 79 countries they have done work making coins. It also included the US flag. We found out the have done some of the work for the US mint, but not the complete coin. They sent the product to the US for the final pressing.
Nancy had the opportunity to hold this Gold Bar! it is worth about a million dollars. They have it attached to a post and a security guard standing right by it.
We then went into downtown Winnipeg to visit the Railway Museum. Finding a parking place was a little tough.
There are many items in the museum representing the Railways history in Canada. Below is a rail inspection cart that is pedaled by the inspector. That would be a tough job.
They also have a room set up with a model railroad. There were several trains operating at the time.
After touring in Winnipeg we started heading west again. Camping for the night west of Winnipeg and then crossing into Saskatchewan on Saturday. This is an area of a lot of farm land with huge fields of crops being raised. We also passed an area of large cattle operations.
Near Chapin lake we came across this area that looked like snow as we were driving up to it. It is actually Sodium Sulfate deposits that are being mined here. It is used in detergents and paper pulping.
As the winds were picking up this afternoon and the temperature climbed to over 90 degrees we stopped in the town of Gull Lake for the night at the city park. We have great Wifi here. Overnight a thunderstorm moved through and cooled us down. We still have winds of 25-30 mph this morning.
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