Day 39 - Thunder Bay (REST DAY)

June 21, 2026 (Sunday)

Start Time: N/A 

Stop Time: N/A 

KM Travelled: 0 on the Bike 

Elevation: 0 on the Bike 

Special Stuff: Puttering, Indigenous People’s Day, Self-care 

A rest day means exactly that – rest - and self-care. 

After a bit of coffee and puttering, I head down to breakfast. I’m having breakfast

I think remember that it is National Indigenous Peoples Day. I think about all the amazing Indigenous people that I know. Wise Elders, courageous leaders, Knowledge Keepers, parents and bright young people. I have learned so much from Indigenous peoples about health, healing and wellness, in both the personal and professional parts of my life. 

I take a moment to celebrate Indigenous people – and give thanks for my Indigenous family members, friends and colleagues. You really do make the world a better place! 

Mental health and healing have been a big focus of my thinking on this ride. I think about how we as people cope with challenging experiences – and how each of us is on our very own wellness pathway. I wonder how much more can be done to empower all people to feel mentally healthy and well. 

My wellness journey today includes a traditional Thai massage. Thai Smile is located in a house in a residential community (hmmmm). No one answers the doorbell, but there is another person parked in the driveway, so I wait. After 20 minutes, someone comes to the door and I’m invited in for my massage. The great thing about a traditional Thai massage is that it is a fully clothed, ‘no mercy’ kind of experience. Tight muscles are the enemy and the masseur, has one mission, and that is to release my muscles. There is alot of pain involved and some twisting of my body into the shape of a pretzel. I leave Thai Smile feeling like I actually got beat up by that ‘Big Ass Deer’ (Elk) back in B.C. There is no smile on my face when I leave Thai Smile. 

My day ends with a stop-over at Subway where I meet a young man who is small in physical stature, but has an incredibly large personality. Confident, articulate and well spoken. He has a presence that is remarkable. I want to let him know he could probably do anything he sets his mind to (but I don’t). He makes me think of Joseph Smallwood, the first premier of Newfoundland. I read about Joseph Smallwood in a book called The Colony of Unrequited Dreams many years ago (the book may have been fiction, but the character portrayed as Joseph Smallwood was so well done, I still remember him today). 

I’ve had a nicely balanced rest day. I got my first glimpse of Lake Superior and I’ve smelled more lilacs. There seems to be lots to do in Thunder Bay – it may be a place to return to and explore some more one day.