Lee
and Karen Duquette,
The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers in
in Wawa, Ontario, Canada
June 23, 2013 |
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Wawa is a
township in the Canadian province of Ontario, located within the Algoma
District and associated with Wawa Lake. Formerly known as the township
of Michipicoten, after a nearby river of that name,
the township was officially renamed in 2007 for its largest and best-known
community of Wawa.
This area was first developed for fur trading. In the late 19th century,
both gold and iron ore were found and mined, leading to the region's
rise as the steel industry developed in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. From
1900-1918 the Helen Mine had the highest production of iron ore of any
mine in Canada.
The township includes the smaller communities of Michipicoten and
Michipicoten River, which are small port settlements on the shore of
Lake Superior. These names are derived from the Ojibwe term for the
river. |
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The two RV Gypsies went
to see the Wawa Goose
at the Information Center |
 The
Trans Canada Highway's famous roadside attraction, the Wawa Goose Monument
is the largest of its kind in Canada. The original goose was erected
in 1960 to commemorate the completion of the last link of the Trans-Canada
Highway more than 50 years ago. Prior to the arrival of the highway,
Wawa was only accessible by rail, boat or bush plane. Disappointed that
the highway would by-pass the downtown businesses of Wawa, local entrepreneurs
decided to erect a monument of a Canada Goose where the Trans-Canada
Highway met Highway 101 entering Wawa. The idea of a Canada Goose came
from the Ojibway interpretation of the name Wawa which means "wild
goose".
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Below: Gitchee Goomie (Gitchee
Gumee) poles in purple, green, and red plus scary face tree at the Information
Centre. Gitchee Gumee is an Ojibwe Indian name for Lake Superior - also
called "Kitchi gami" (or "Kitchi-gummi"). According
to many, It means "the shining blue sea water." but has also
been translated as "great water." |
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 The
sign by the door of a convenience store says, "Caution - keep
back, snow and ice may fall from roof" - Well, how would anyone
be able to open the door to the store if they kept back? The roof overhangs
the doorway.
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Below: And another Wawa Goose |
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Another Wawa Pole |
And a third Wawa Goose |
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The front of this rig
looks like it has two eyes, a nose and a mouth. Do you see it? |
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Below: The beautiful Wawa
Lake on a dreary day! |
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An Inuksuk - a human-like
figure made of stacked stones, used as a marker to find the way when
traveling. The two RV Gypsies often see Inuksuk's on hiking trails. |
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NOTE: Years later, when Karen Duquette was at a line
dance, one of the dancer's boyfriend asked Karen if she ever went to
Wawa. Karen replied, "Oh yes, you mean the place in Ontario,
Canada with the Wawa Goose" He was very surprised. |
AFTER
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