What's the best thing about Thunder Bay? We asked Amanda Bay

Amanda Bay stands at the corner of Red River Road and Rollins Street in her hometown of Thunder Bay, Ont, and looks out toward Lake Superior.

"I drive this route to work every single day," she says, "and when I get to this exact point ... I can't help but smile every day, because of this view."

This spot, where a hilltop vantage point offers a striking view of the harbour, and the Sleeping Giant on the Sibley peninsula, set against parts of the north core business district, is Bay's choice to represent the very best thing about her hometown of Thunder Bay.

It's not just the beauty of the scene that she loves it's also what it symbolizes, said Bay, who works in public relations in the city, and who is the president of SHIFT, Thunder Bay's Young Professionals Network.

"You're looking out and you see the Sleeping Giant," said Bay," which is definitely an icon of our city. But to me it symbolizes strength and culture."

"And then you continue to look around and you see a lot of people walking their dogs. You see students going to the law school so you see that community component."

"You see businesses off in the distance. A lot of the time you'll see ... ships out in the harbour, so it's really symbolizing that we're a busy city as well."

"If I could take anything in Thunder Bay and put it in a snowglobe, I think that [view] is exactly what I'd want to see."

Historical significance

With a little digging, Bay said she also uncovered some interesting historical facts about the area, and how Red River Road, with its gentle slope and wide curve around Waverly Park, came into existence in the first place.

Waverly Street (which converges with Red River Road) was created first, but the "gigantic hill" was too much for horses carrying loads to handle. "So they decided to gradually climb the hill" by building Red River Road, she said.

The view also takes in Waverly Park, "the second oldest municipal park in Ontario," and some of the city's oldest and grandest buildings.

"So there's really cool historical components," said Bay.

Today, Bay's daily drive down Red River Road also reminds her of a big perk of living in Thunder Bay the lack of rush hour traffic, and a lightning fast commute.