ThunderBev's WunderBlog

If you're ever looking for something to do in Thunder Bay .... especially if its a warm summer evening... head down to Marina Park and the boat slip where Sail Superior's 40-foot sailboat The Frodo is moored. Captain Greg provides 90 minute sails of the bay around the city. And he does a good job too!

We took a sail on Wednesday, August 13. It was warm: 20C (68F) and sunny. The lake was calm. As we left the marina we could hear the music from the Concert in the Parks wafting across the northern side of the park and the haunting echo of bagpipes drifting from the southern reaches. Because the lake was so calm, we motored out to our first stop ... the lighthouse at the entrance to Thunder Bay. Captain Greg told us it was built in 1937 and was manned until the late 1960s when it was automated.

After exploring the lighthouse, we headed out into the bay (aptly named Thunder Bay) where a light breeze greeted us and Captain Greg unfurled the sails. With sails snapping in the wind, we cruised southwards. The sailboats were returning from the weekly races on the open lake, waving and calling out as they passed us. In a quieter spot on the bay, we watched 2 loons diving for food, along with flocks of seagulls and cormorants.

As we were familiar with the city waterfront and knew much of the history of the region, we by-passed the historic commentary and instead had a great conversation with Captain Greg. He had sailed across the Atlantic, in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and in the waters off Australia.

The Frodo sailed south and then into the slip between two giant grain elevators. Amazing. Turning on a dime, we headed north once more as the sun set in the west, and the moon rose in east.

Back at the Marina we all agreed that it was best place to spend an August evening in Thunder Bay!