Continuing my posting of our recent trip to Thunder Bay. Last post we had stopped in Red Rock to visit friends and take a much needed break…

Emeraude on the chase after 'trading' her fur.

Since being diagnosed with MS in 2006

Emeraude wearing one of her wraps...Can't remember what this one was...

As we neared Thunder Bay, we passed many sights and Lloyd & I spoke of those that we would like to visit on our way home (we had run out of time for stopping as it was getting late and I preferred not to be pulling in to Thunder Bay in the dark) like the Amethyst Mine, just outside Nipigon which Lloyd had been to on a school trip when he was at Our Lady of Lourdes. 

I had called to book our rooms at the Landmark Inn the day prior and checked in to claim our room key.  Thankfully they had a main floor room available which opened to the parking lot so that unpacking wasn’t a big deal.  I had needed to bring my sewing machine along as I had not yet finished hemming Emeraude’s Jingle Dress which she hoped to wear for Anishnawbe Keeshigun at the Old Fort. Emeraude & I would share the king size bed (and yet I still had no room lol) while Lloyd grudgingly took the double (at home he’s got a queen). Emeraude was very much looking forward to swimming at the pool so I got her into her swimsuit and Lloyd brought her down so I could get sewing. 

Emeraude checking out her glass bead.

Saturday was nice, we went to the Powwow in the afternoon. It was really nice this year. Last year it had been competitive and this year it more resembled the Pic Mobert Powwow, with drums in the centre though much smaller as it was actually IN the fort. There were many dancers, each with their own beautiful regalia. Lloyd took Emeraude up the look-out tower which I still am in disbelief at having missed (I was in the van taking my meds when they snuck up there). I was amazed that he made it up with his crutches (and in spite of being scared of man-made heights) and that Emeraude managed the hundreds of stairs to make it up as well. From there they spotted a voyageur canoe (35 passengers) on the river… There were many beautiful sights throughout the day, Emeraude & I danced of course, her favourite thing at the fort was the ‘fur trade’ building where one of the fort employees (dressed and in character as most of them are to make the whole experience more authentic) was sweet enough to play out a fur trade with her…

Emeraude in her jingle dress.

He gave her a martin to wear as a shawl and then told her he must buy it from her.  We ran out of the fur trade building, very sneaky (they ran, Lloyd and I chased as best we could lol) and he lead us to a back-building which was locked up.  He came back out with a glass bead for her that was had painted with a small flower, the tiny bead had her in awe, it was beautiful and she knew this was special and something that not everyone was given – too sweet!

 

The whole day was magical.  We made a stop to McDonald’s of course which both the kids were happy about. More swimming at the hotel that night… Looking back the weekend is a bit of a blur as we were so rushed much of the time chasing closing stores or appointments. Sunday was much the same with the exception of a lot of rain at the Old Fort… Emeraude opted for her ‘fancy dance’ regalia which I made for her last year”s Anishnawbe Keeshigun on Sunday.  We ran into an ex-Wadger at the Old Fort (not surprising, always someone from Manitouwadge on any trip no matter where you go).  Andrea Myers… will add a bit about her on here later and link it to this.  Great lady who was Lloyd’s swim instructor a few years back (maybe E’s too, I’m not sure). 

Anyways, time to get to my real work, lol… will post more of our travel adventures
this afternoon hopefully so check back soon!

 , traveling, which I always loved to do –
especially with the kids, has become a much greater challenge.  Driving is extremely exhausting to me and last year, I could not make it to Thunder Bay (5 hrs away for most drivers) in one day. I would typically stop either at our friends’ in Red Rock to overnight or at the Serendipity Guest House in Rossport.  Well, our recent trip to Thunder Bay taught me that it isn’t really necessary to call it a day when I start feeling worn out.  By stopping to enjoy some of the many sights along Hwy 17, I can take 30 minutes (unfortunately it’s hard not to get distracted and stay longer) to change my focus, relax my eyes / legs, and it is enough to get me in shape to continue driving for another hour or two.  This realization really opened up our options and has made me feel much less isolated.