After Sault Ste. Marie, we headed over to Sturgeon Falls which is just west of Sudbury. We were going to go back and drive through Sudbury after we got to our campsite but realized that it was going to be over an hour backtracking. Our next stop was Parry Sound for the weekend. Parry Sound is on the shores of Georgian Bay of Lake Huron. Canada Parks has an UNESCO designation for the 30,000 islands in the park. To be considered an island, it must be at least an acre in size and not just three rocks and a tree. Each island has been documented and numbered. Georgian Bay Islands National Park We headed out for a three hour cruise around Parry Island to see some of the park. Island Queen was designed with a shallow draft to enable her to cruise through the passages around the island. She can carry 500 people but fortunately for us, there was less than half that amount. Almost right from the harbour, we go through a swing bridge. It was originally built as a railway bridge to connect the island with the mainland and ship goods to a port on the far side of the island. It is now a road bridge giving access to the island for the residents. Every nook and cranny seems to have a house and a dock tucked into it. Most of them are accessed only by boat. Most of the shore was very rocky. This was the first of the narrow channels we went through. We were followed by a sailboat. Osprey nests were everywhere. I think there is one on the top of the light marker. An example of some of the narrow channels. Houses range from tiny one room houses to multi-levels with out buildings and helicopter pads. Islands everywhere. Looking out towards some of the outer island. There was a pretty stiff wind blowing which cleared off the sky so the sun came out. This light marker is on the tip of a pretty big provincial park. To the right of the marker above and across the sound was a channel called Hole in the Wall. On the coast where we once sailed, there was a channel called Hole in the Wall. This one was a lot narrower and shorter. They say when the huckleberries are ripe, you can see them quite plainly Looking back at the channel. There wasn't a lot of room for the ship to go through. Coming back into Parry Sound Harbour Over the center of town is a raised train trestle. We were fortunate to see a train going over it as we came into the dock. There was a train line not far from the campsite. Lots of train activity.
For all you hockey fans like MikeInMa, Parry Sound is the childhood home of Bobby Orr, one of the greats. We didn't go through the museum but I took pictures of the outside. As well as the museum, there is a Performing Arts theatre.
On Friday after laundry, grocery shopping and having lunch at a fabulous restaurant, we took a drive out to the Killbear Provincial Park. Welcome to Killbear Provincial Park You remember that light marker I took a picture of from the ship. Here it is again from the land. In the background is the big island we took the cruise around. The Canadian Shield Looking out towards Parry Sound. Hole in the Wall would be in the left section. Hole in the Wall would be just to the right of this picture across the water. Okay guys. I identified the maples, the oak and the conifers but what is this? I couldn't get a picture of the leaves on top of this one as there was too many little trees beside it. I don't know which birch this was but now I have seen a few of them.
This area must be really awesome in the fall for colour. It takes a bit of getting used to seeing mainly deciduous trees in the forests around here. I keep looking for the real trees. lol In the campground we are in, I think there is one of those eastern cedars with the pink heartwood. Looks so much like our western cedars. The two pines I have seen have been rather sickly looking.
Our next stop was in the ancestral homestead Waterloo area of campinspecter's mother's family. I have done a lot of genealogy research in this area and we wanted to see what it was like. I will NOT go into details for you. I have found eyes glaze over rather quickly when I do. This was the first church we went to. A Lutheran church where the family may have worshiped. I found a couple of grave markers of family in the cemetery behind the church. Built in 1852 The cemetery. This area was largely settled by Mennonite and Lutheran German families. I don't know what I expected in the way of the countryside so I was surprised it was as flat as it is. One of the forests. Three of the towns we went through were very small but this one is called Stratford and it is situated beside the river Avon. Know for its Shakespeare festivals that happen all summer. Lots of little churches like one scattered over the area. The church where I think campinspecter's grandparents were married. Probably in the older building on the left side as the right side had a date of 1911 on it. One of my special finds. These three are family members. Shadow checking out another family member gravestone. We don't have a lot of houses like this out on the coast. Definitely don't see this in any of our parking lots. Quite a few Amish farms around here.
Offended? Naw, it's just that a cemetery is not a place for dogs....leashed or free running. It's the way I was brought up and also, I have never seen a cemetery that has allowed dogs. I believe all of the local cemeteries I have visited prohibit them-for obvious reasons.
Yeah, dogs not on a leash in a cemetery would be offensive to an awful lot of people. Same with letting little kids run around free rein, stomping all over grave plots. Some cemeteries don't allow motorcycles as well for all the reasons you should be able to think of. Many people also bend rules for well behaved dogs, kids and motorcyclists.
Woodwidow Thanks for keeping us updated on your travels and points of interest. Since we will probably never get up that way it’s nice to be along with you.
Thanks for letting me know. I didn't see any signs and I would never have thought about it otherwise.
Nobody was paying attention. I put Georgian Bay on Lake Superior and it should be Lake Huron! I thought those in Michigan would have picked it up and let me know. Moderating are you able to go back and fix it for me? it is the beginning of post #101
