Fort William Historical Park

Last night after work and a stop for some grocery shopping in Fort Frances, we made the drive east through Ontario to Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park where we camped for the night. This morning, after a quick exploration of our temporary home, we headed into Thunder Bay and Fort William Historical Park.

The first stop was the interpretive center, where we paid our admission and posed for a silly voyageur photo.

Then we headed outside for the walk to the reconstructed fort. There's a pond at the start of the trail, and Noelle noticed that the ground near the pond was covered with tiny frogs hopping here and there. We probably stepped on a few and didn't realize it. We spent a few minutes observing the frogs,

then headed into the woods for the rest of the hike to Fort William.

Our first stop near the fort complex was the Anishinabe campsite just outside the fort's walls. Here we learned about the fur trade from the Anishinabe perspective,

tried on a few furs,

and got a taste for living in a waaginogaan.

We then headed inside the fort's walls

to see what life would have been like in a fur trading post. There was even a lookout tower where we were able to get a bird's eye view of the fort.

We walked around in the summer heat and inspected all the buildings that were open to the public. I enjoyed the canoe shop.

Sierra liked the farm.

We spent some time visiting all the animals; the sheep,

pigs,

and even a little chick.

The most impressive of the buildings was the Great Hall.

It was interesting to think what it would have been like to eat in such a massive place, especially if you happened to be of higher rank!

There were numerous warehouses for storage of pelts, and other goods.

The goods above are headed to Lac La Pluie, or Rainy Lake as we call it today.
We worked up quite a thirst exploring on such a warm day and had to pump ourselves some water.

Our last stop was the blacksmith shop where Sierra got a chance to try making her very own nail!

Then it was on to downtown to cool off a bit.