Sunday, August 3, 2008

Wild Goose Beach a Local Legendary Favorite

Sometimes some of the best experiences are the simplest.

One of my favorite summer getaways is one not 15 minutes from the city, doesn't take a lot of time from a busy day, doesn't cost any admission and in the words of my good friend Steve Bruno, "irons the wrickles out of my soul."

Wild Goose beach is a very small sand beach on the shore of Lake Superior in Shuniah township. A 15 minute drive down Lakeshore drive from Thunder bay's north side gets you to this little gem, a place where you can take a timeout for an hour before getting back on the ice for that full contact game called life.. I've been going there since I was a child and while my wife and I are not frequent users, we've headed out for an hour at a time, to swim in Superior's refreshing clear water with sand beneath our feet, lay on a blanket to get some sun or just people watch.

There's nothing fancy about the place and thats what makes it so relaxing. Its a thin strip of beach that stretches about 400 feet at best, a grassy hill, ample parking and lots of shade trees. If you go during a mid-summer warm day, expect a few hundred other people with the same idea. Dinner time always sees the crowds thin out to a few dozen at the most and with late sunsets and warm evenings, its still great swimming. An abandoned Canadian National Rail line still cuts through the park and weeds growing up through the ties. A pedestrian crossing connecting the parking from the beach still exists and the signage and the sight of the rails still has people looking both ways when they cross, despite the overgrown growth along the way.

The water is crystal clear and typically warms up more in August, and the view of the bay and of a rather "headless" sleeping Giant" makes for a great backdrop. My wife and I will stop at Maltese's Italian Grocery on Algoma Street and get some fresh meats, buns and fruit and head on out with our blanket, swim trunks and a backgammon board for a couple of hours, either after work or during the weekends.

The park is a local gem and a great discovery for visitors looking to enjoy the lake Superior swimming experience and see the area from a new and relaxing perspective.

What to Bring:

You don't need much to enjoy Wild Goose Beach and it is accessible only by automobile. Bringing yourself, family, friends, kids pail and shovel, sunscreen, a blanket, swim trunks and a picnic lunch should guarantee a relaxing time.

Directions on Getting There:

Wild Goose Beach is easy to get to. Travelling westbound on 11/17, turn left at Lakeshore Drive and follow the signs, looking for the park on your left, just after the Lakeshore Lodge.

From the City, Take Hodder Avenue, turning at Arundal towards Strathcona Golf Course and stay on the road as it turns to Lakeshore Drive) as it loops behind the course, under a rail bridge and past the water treatment plant. Continue for about 10 kilometers and the park will be on your right.

1 comment:

Desiree said...

Thank you for specific directions. Looking at a satellite map you can't really see where to go. This was helpful. I am new to Thunder Bay and since it's supposed to feel like 37 tomorrow I thought I'd check it out with the kids.