Thunder Bay - A Flying Visit Poem by Deanna Samuels

Thunder Bay - A Flying Visit



Thunder Bay, a name on the map
Somewhere unknown to me - up North along the top of Lake Superior
Even the name and locale emitted cold and snow
A place most Torontarians would never envisage or be inclined to visit
However, out of the blue, an unexpected opportunity came!
Strike while the iron is hot and there was I, transported

Arriving at Thunder Bay Airport, small by comparison to Toronto Pearson
Though very modern and well laid out
Having all the facilities needed for today's busy travellers
Walking outside, the air was refreshing and clear and pleasantly crisp
Perhaps, just a hint of becoming mildly warm - already I was puzzled
Had expected six foot of frozen winter snow but most of it had disappeared
Only a few patches here and there that lay under unmoving dark shadows
Hire car collected, drove without hassle onto wide well maintained main roads
No traffic jams anywhere to behold, a pleasant change from busy Toronto

Thunder Bay was born from four townships merging, Fort William and Port Arthur
Together with the smaller towns of Neebing and McIntyre
All a few miles apart, uniting together in 1970, now a bustling bristling city
Fort William, on the Kaministquia River, in history part of fur trade of 1500's
Port Arthur named in 1870 in honor of Prince Arthur, son of Queen Victoria
Each town evident of Finnish heritage, home now to a multi-cultural society

My two day fully comprehensive personal tour oversaw the sights
The domination of The Sleeping Giant peninsula in the bay
Pulled one's eyes constantly to the magnetism of its quiescent view
Most poignantly, overlooking the water, the larger than life Terry Fox statue
His monument stood high on a hill with Lake Superior as majestic backdrop
Built in honor and commemoration of his amazing attempt to run across Canada
His goal sadly ending here in Thunder Bay, completely overcome by his illness
A reflective moment for me too, having recently visited St. John's, Newfoundland
Stood by the identical statue where Terry Fox started his gruelling Marathon of Hope

Thunder Bay; well-planned and designed amenities for the community at large
The 1500 seat concert hall is a gem above world others with superb acoustics
A magnificent 375-bed Regional Health Sciences Centre, second to none
Proudly serving over 250,000 residents in Northwestern Ontario
The superb college with trades centre named to commemorate Confederation
Lakehead University offering both a law and medical school within its curricula
By the water's edge, a substantial working paper mill, sadly now, the last of six
Still though, supplying The Chicago Tribune and other major newspapers

Driving around the city, there are community centers, elder living residencies
Cinemas, stadia, gymnasia, libraries, parks, shops, stores and malls
Art and handicraft galleries with emphasis on exquisite local talent
Well thought out all round facilities for its 109,000 bustling population
The waterfront area undergoing revitalization featuring new public facilities
Children's playground and splash pool, good quality restaurants, family parks
Housing, as with most cities, range from the luxurious to modest accommodation
Original of 100 years or more competing with new state of the art developments
Wonderful coast lines and inland lakes dotted with life loved cottages called camps
Thunder Bay has every amenity and facility needed for a modern metropolis

Within a few miles and even further afield, good farmlands prevail
Farmers sow crops and tend their herds and flocks
Fresh produce grown for the local and near and wider communities
For those with the yen, horse riding and stables within a few miles of the bay

Sightseeing such as the old Fort William and scenic views of the Canadian Shield
There are countless trails for short or longer treks for walking
Opportunities to find off the beaten tracks and explore the ventures of nature
A highlight to visit is the unexpected beauty of the 40 metre high Kakabeka Falls
Its water cascading down rugged granite rock to the Kaministiquia River below
Merited second highest waterfall in Ontario, open all year round for viewing

Outdoor winter activities capture adventures not readily available in the south
The excitement of dog sleighing cannot be overlooked whishing over virgin snow
Cross country ski walks taking the visitor through the stillness of forest and dell
Swooshing smoothly on down-hill ski runs and trails for those with that extra skill
Snow-shoeing for the less energetic, ice-fishing - a popular Northern hobby

Sadly, all too soon, my short stay had quickly come to its end
Time to return home but with so many memories and much knowledge gained
Thunder Bay, a real eye opener, a lesson learned from not knowing of it before
A vibrant modern city, friendly people, lots to do and certainly, well worth a visit


Written flying on return journey on 29th March with subsequent editing at Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Topic(s) of this poem: busy,coldness
POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
A travelogue poem of recent visit to Thunder Bay, Ontario.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Deanna Samuels

Deanna Samuels

London, England
Close
Error Success