Agawa Canyon Train Tour 23

Day 1

Welcome Aboard! Travel in comfort aboard our deluxe motor coach towards Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Canada's second largest steel producing city and third largest city in Northern Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie is a port city located on St. Mary's River, which acts as a natural border between Canada and the United States. Before checking into our hotel in Detroit, Michigan for the night, we are treated to a delicious dinner at The Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurant in Toledo, Ohio.

Day 2

After breakfast we depart for the Canadian and U.S.A. border, so have your PASSPORTS ready! Once across the border it's a short ride to the Canadian Bush Plane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Located on the north bank of the St. Mary's River, the Canadian Bush Plane Heritage Centre is dedicated to preserving the history of bush flying and forest protection in Canada. You can stand inside the massive fuselage of a Canadair Aerial Tanker (water bomber, in layman's terms), climb an actual fire tower and take a seat in a flight simulator on your guided tour of the Centre. In the original 1948 era hangar you can view a wide-ranging collection of bush planes on display, all the while learning about the history of bush flying and forest protection in Canada. The Centre's volunteer members who actively acquire, restore, preserve and display floatplanes, bush planes, water bombers and forest firefighting equipment along with other aviation and forestry-related artifacts in order to celebrate the achievements of Canada's aviation and forest fire fighting pioneers. After checking into the Quality Inn & Suites, our home for the next two nights, relax and refresh in your comfortable and spacious room. Later enjoy a delicious dinner at Johnny's Chophouse & Bar, located at the hotel. Also, be sure to bring your bathing suit and take advantage of the indoor swimming pool at our hotel.

Day 3

After breakfast we greet the day by joining our Conductor and Crew on board the Algoma Central Railroad for the Agawa Canyon Train Tour. We set out to explore the beauty and history of Agawa Canyon on this one-day wilderness excursion that will transport us 114 miles north of Sault Ste. Marie over towering trestles, alongside pristine northern lakes and rivers and through the awesome granite rock formations and vast mixed forests of the Canadian Shield. As the train winds through the wilderness, narration is provided, and we learn the history of the Ojibwe people, fur traders and pioneers who first explored the area. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, the journey continues as the train descends to the floor of Agawa Canyon. You will have the opportunity to disembark the train in the canyon to relax or explore the canyon park before we return to Sault Ste. Marie. On board, you will find restrooms on each coach, comfortable interchangeable seating, and a box lunch is included. After returning to our hotel, dinner is on your own. Our accommodations are conveniently located in downtown and are within walking distance to shops and restaurants.

Day 4

After breakfast we depart for the Canadian and U.S.A. border, so have your PASSPORTS ready! Once across the border it's a short ride to the Soo Locks Boat Tours in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This morning we will climb aboard our tour vessel for an exciting sightseeing tour through the famous Soo Locks, the world's largest locking system. The legendary Soo Locks are a group of mighty Locks that have provided safe passage and a vital shipping connection within the Great Lakes for nearly 160 years. We will get a glimpse of maritime history at the Soo Locks, where freighters, barges, tugboats and more traverse the 21-foot drop between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Inside the Soo Locks our boat will ride the water as it is raised 21' straight up, to the level of Lake Superior. Our round-trip boat excursion includes lockage through both the giant U.S. Locks and historic Canadian Lock. A live narration explains everything you see, including the history and operation of the Locks. Our boat brings us close to all the sights and points of interest along the shorelines of the twin border cities. Following lunch on your own settle back, relax and enjoy the scenery on our drive to Detroit, Michigan. After checking into our hotel for the night, we are treated to a delicious dinner at the hotel.

Day 5

After breakfast we depart for the Henry Ford Museum, one of America's greatest history attractions. On the grounds of the Henry Ford Museum we will tour historic homes and workshops of famous Americans, including those of The Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Robert Frost. Next, we travel to Sugarcreek, Ohio for a delicious Amish Country buffet dinner at Dutch Valley Restaurant, "The Area's Amish Kitchen Cooking Destination". Following dinner, we depart for New Philadelphia, Ohio where we spend a restful night in Ohio's Amish Country at our hotel.

Day 6

After breakfast we depart for a perennial favorite of Gunther Tours travelers, the Warthers Museum for a private tour. Earnest "Mooney" Warther is best known for his ivory and ebony carvings of steam engines. You will see carvings created out of wood, ivory and pearl ranging from entire trains to a hand carved steel mill. You will be amazed by the intricate detail and exceptional craftsmanship required to create this unique collection of carved masterpieces! Following our tour, we depart for home taking with us extraordinary memories of bush flying and forest protection in Canada; an amazing scenic wilderness train excursion; a cruise through the massive Soo Locks; a greater admiration and appreciation of the genius of American inventors; and the discovery of the unique artistry and craftsmanship of Earnest Warther!

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D =Dinner