GEOGRAPHY LESSON

Situated along the shores of Lake Superior in Ontario, Thunder Bay was originally the site of the North West Company's Fort William, a thriving outpost for European fur traders. Sitting directly across from Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Thunder Bay is a favorite year-round destination for sports enthusiasts, campers and tourists drawn to its natural beauty, offering thousands of miles of accessible trails, streams, rivers and lakes.

GETTING THERE

Just 45 minutes north of the U.S.-Canadian border along Hwy. 61, Thunder Bay is 345 miles north of Minneapolis. Traveling north along Interstate 35 to Duluth, take Hwy. 61 to the Pigeon River border crossing. Don't forget your passport because it's required for entry. Children under 16 need proper identification, such as a birth certificate.

CHECKING IN

Thunder Bay has a variety of accommodations, including hotels, resorts, bed-and-breakfasts, motels, campgrounds and cottages. For a listing, visit the city's tourism website at www.thunderbay.ca/visiting/accommodations.htm or call 1-800-667-8386.

DINING OUT

No visit to Thunder Bay is complete without a visit to the Hoito Restaurant (1-807-345-6323) for its world-famous Finnish pancakes. Located in the historic Finlandia Club at 314 Bay St., the Hoito was originally built to serve the hard-working Finnish loggers in the area. For a casual dining experience after a day on the slopes or trails, visit the Keg Steakhouse and Bar at 735 Hewitson St. (1-807-623-1960).

MORE INFORMATION

Visit Tourism Thunder Bay at www.thunderbay.ca/visiting or call 1-800-667-8386. For border crossing information, see the U.S. State Department website at www.startribune.com/a45.

CHAS. JENSEN