Marathon to Kenora

Marathon to Kenora – True North Strong and Free

The drive from Marathon to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, just outside Thunder Bay, is one of the most beautiful stretches of road in northern Ontario. It winds across the top of Lake Superior, with undulating terrain, dramatic rock cuts, and the rugged beauty of the Canadian Shield. At times, we encountered dense fog—an eerie effect created when cold, damp air off the lake met warmer land air. But as the sun rose higher, the fog lifted and revealed a glorious, blue-sky day.

More fog on the Trans Canada Highway

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park occupies most of a 40+ kilometre-long peninsula that juts dramatically into Lake Superior. From the west side of the peninsula, several viewpoints offer the perfect angle to see the formation that gives the park its name: the Sleeping Giant. According to Ojibway legend, this is Nanabijou, the Spirit of the Deep Water, turned to stone after white men discovered the location of a sacred silver mine (Silver Islet).

Entrance to the park

Nanabijou - The Sleeping Giant

Stephen, Fran and John

The park is stunning. Our campsite was the best we’ve had so far—secluded and immersed in nature. Deer wandered through regularly, following well-worn paths right past our trailer. The weather was just warm enough for a comfortable happy hour outside, and we soaked in the peacefulness.

Fran ready for Happy Hour

Sunset at our Sleeping Giant campsite

The next day, with our friends John and Teresa, we headed out for a full day of sightseeing. Our first stop was the Terry Fox Monument. For those unfamiliar with his remarkable story, here’s a bit of background:

In 1977, at just 18 years old, Terry Fox was diagnosed with bone cancer and had his right leg amputated above the knee. Frustrated by the lack of funding for cancer research, he conceived of the Marathon of Hope—an ambitious plan to run across Canada to raise awareness and $24 million ($1 for every Canadian) for cancer research.

After surgery, chemotherapy, and months of training, Terry began his run on April 12, 1980, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, dipping his artificial leg into the Atlantic Ocean. The early days were tough—harsh weather, small crowds, and modest donations. But that began to change. In Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, the entire town of 10,000 turned out and presented him with a cheque for over $10,000.

About one-third into his journey, Terry’s efforts caught the attention of Isadore Sharp, founder and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels, who had lost a son to cancer. Sharp pledged $2 for every mile Terry ran, offered free hotel accommodations, and convinced over 1,000 other corporations to join the cause. As Terry ran westward, momentum grew. Huge crowds gathered in cities like Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto, and in every small town in between.

But Terry’s health was deteriorating. On September 1, 1980—just outside Thunder Bay—he was forced to stop running and seek medical attention. He was diagnosed with cancer in his lungs and could not continue. By that point, he had run an astonishing 5,373 kilometres in 143 days and raised $1.7 million. A week later, a national telethon hosted by CTV raised an additional $10.7 million. By April 1981, the total had reached $23 million.

Despite further treatment, Terry passed away on June 21, 1981. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau spoke in the House of Commons, saying:

“It occurs very rarely in the life of a nation that the courageous spirit of one person unites all people in the celebration of his life and in the mourning of his death... We do not think of him as one who was defeated by misfortune but as one who inspired us with the example of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.”

Before his passing, Terry agreed to the idea of an annual fundraising run in his name—as long as it was non-competitive and open to everyone. The first Terry Fox Run was held in September 1981, and it has taken place every year since. To date, the Terry Fox Foundation has raised over $900 million for cancer research, funding vital advancements in treatment and prevention. His legacy lives on, not only in fundraising but also in the hearts of Canadians.

The monument, just east of Thunder Bay, is beautifully situated on a hill overlooking the city and Lake Superior. It is moving, powerful, and well worth the visit.

Terry Fox Monument Pics

From there, we continued into Thunder Bay and explored its revitalized waterfront. The city has transformed its former industrial port area into a scenic hub, complete with a marina, boardwalks, green space, restaurants, and condos. We had a delicious lunch at Bight Restaurant—a name taken from the nautical term for a gentle curve in the coastline that forms a large, open bay, perfectly describing Thunder Bay’s shoreline.

Thunder Bay Marina

The Bight Restaurant

T

Thunder Bay Waterfront

Our afternoon continued with a short drive west to Kakabeka Falls in Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park. Often called the “Niagara of the North,” these falls are the second-highest in Ontario after Niagara Falls. With a 130-foot drop on the Kaministiquia River and an impressive volume of rushing water, they are dramatic and photogenic—definitely worth the visit.

Niagara of the north

Kaministiquia River

We wrapped up the day with a few errands in Thunder Bay, then celebrated John and Teresa’s 40th wedding anniversary with dinner at Kelsey’s, before heading back to our peaceful site at Sleeping Giant

40th Anniversary Dinner

Enjoying a Sleeping Giant Beer

Thursday, June 12 – Onward to Kenora

We left Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and began our journey west toward Kenora. Along the way, we were surprised to discover that Ontario spans two time zones. Just west of Thunder Bay, you cross from Eastern to Central Time—a fun bit of trivia we hadn’t realized until the time on our phones suddenly changed.

Our first stop en route to Kenora was Sandbar Lake Provincial Park, near Ignace. Then, on Saturday, June 14, we continued on to The Willows Campground, just outside Kenora. EVs are still relatively rare in this part of Ontario, so it was encouraging to see that every Tesla Supercharger we encountered had six 250 kW stalls—ample capacity and no waiting. That meant we didn’t need to unhitch the trailer on either travel day, which is always a welcome bonus.

With each leg of the trip, we’re gaining confidence managing our limited range while towing our 8,000-pound trailer. We keep a close eye on weather and elevation changes, both of which can significantly affect our efficiency. That said, we know there are still a few upcoming stretches that will really push our limits.

Kenora itself has a fascinating history. Originally a key Ojibway fur trade route and transportation hub, a Hudson’s Bay Company Post was established on Old Fort Island in 1836. It was relocated to the mainland in 1861 and named Rat Portage. The town later became the centre of a prolonged boundary dispute between Ontario and Manitoba, with both provinces claiming jurisdiction.

Rat Portage was incorporated as a Manitoba town in 1882, but the dispute was ultimately resolved in Ontario’s favour. In 1905, the name was changed to “Kenora,” a blend of the first two letters of Keewatin, Norman, and Rat Portage. In 2001, Kenora, Keewatin, Norman, and Jaffray Melick were amalgamated into the modern City of Kenora.

Today, Kenora is a vibrant regional centre on the shores of Lake of the Woods, known for its natural beauty, strong tourism industry, and roles in forestry, mining, and fishing.

We spent Father's Day Sunday enjoying wonderful phone and FaceTime calls from family, running a few errands to Canadian Tire and the grocery store, and treating ourselves to lunch at Boston Pizza. Later, we explored Kenora’s scenic waterfront. The weather was perfect, making it easy to relax with a refreshing gin and tonic under the shade trees beside our trailer.

Happy Hour at The Willows Campground

Father's Day Lunch

A truck pulling a 5th wheel trailer pulling a boat!!