I like Terrace Bay better than Wawa too. Actually, I like anywhere better than Wawa.

Couple of other things come to mind, recalling past trips through the area:

- According to AAA, the fastest route from T.O. used to be crossing the border at Sarnia, then north to cross back at Sault Ste-Marie. See my previous post re using the AAA website, and recheck their recommendations prior to departure - construction may be a factor too. Also, you don't want to go through Ontario cottage country on a weekend.

- All the provincial parks on Lake Superior are beautiful, but in the past, I've particularly liked stopping at Neys - the "self-guided nature trail" along the lakeshore is a particularly enjoyable if the weather is good.

- It's touristy, but if you need a brush-up on the voyageur historical thing, Fort William in Thunder Bay is worth a visit.

- Coming out of the park, you may want to stay in TB overnight (visit a laundromat, get a good meal, etc.) If so, I suggest you scout out places to stay in advance, and phone for a reservation from Atikokan when you get back on the road. I've found a lot of places do fill up in the summer, though you might be ok if you're  coming out after the labor day weekend.

Have a good trip!

Aaugh, no, not Windsor-Detroit. That's way out of your way, plus it's notorious as the slowest crossing on the entire U.S.-Canada border.

AA's recommendation is/was to take the 402 west from London and cross from Sarnia to Port Huron. The average savings used to be about an hour, so it would be more if you were starting from the west end of the city, or it could be zero if you're in the north east. Not a huge time-saver in any case.

But if you're wanting to take stuff with you that you feel U.S. customs won't like, it probably does make sense to just head north and avoid potential hassles.

"Best case is I get an extra day.  I presume there are sites on Nym outside the park boundry"

there is a campsite close to the Nym to Batch portage - on the point or near the point that is on your left as you make the final approach to the portage.  That is outside the park - no idea if it is Crown Land, or private, but I'd guess Crown Land, as there aren't any cottages on that shoreline in that vicinity.

One other item to help me prepare.  More mental preparation than anything else.

Thunder boxes?  Are there any?  Hit & miss?

I just browsed this thread - a few thoughts:
-If you want to push past Wawa but not to Schreiber, Marathon has a number of places to stay (ie. 2 or 3). I've stayed at the Marathon Harbour Inn & one of the ones on the highway (can't recall the name).  Both are good.
- If you need gas near Wawa, don't wait until after you see the goose (I did).  Next gas is White River if I recall.  Spartan2 recommended a place & restaurant in White R, but we've gone thru late at night so didn't stop (except for gas that one time.)  I hear there's a Pooh statue if you're there in the daytime.  That might even beat the goose in Wawa.
- Does your route include Olifaunt, Sturgeon, Halliday, Eliz, Jesse?  If so portages from Sturgeon to Halliday & to Eliz are memorable.  Check the portage database.  They're doable, but up-down-up-down on one of them - bang-bang-bang does one or the other end of the canoe...

Good luck! -Tom

PS: What is a thunder box??