Cowabunga!

Thunder Bay lives up to expectations because:

* it is the martial arts capital of Canada (we read the sign so it must be true)

Excitement in the 9th

* the Thunder Bay Border Cats thumped their cross-border baseball rivals the Mankato Moon Dogs 8-7 on Thursday night

* you can be hit in the head in any disc golf zone (hey - we've only heard of it recently too...go look it up!)

Don't forget to duck

* you can shoot the rapids in Boulevard Park (and if you are a salmon, you can navigate the thoughtful fish ladder back up river to spawn)

Rapids downtown

Walking around Lake Boulevard

Lake Boulevard one side of the weir...the other is Lake Superior

* the fireworks at Fort William Historical Park lit up the night with the biggest display outside the capital (Ottawa for those who are asking).

We enjoyed this pragmatic and industrious town. Next time you here, also check out the Lake Superior marshlands (home to flowers, birds and deer), the Museum full of local social history (including the shipbuilding, docks, commercial and mining sectors), and chat with the friendly locals at the Blue Door Bistro (been to Australia in the past) and at the Bight (now chock full of information about how to have a good time in Melbourne).