Town of Meaford + Bruce Penninsula and Grotto hike, Ontario

Southern Ontario

On the road early as our next stop is the Bruce Peninsula and we want as much time there as possible. We pass through the small town of Meaford and Chris wants to stop at the marina. Interesting we are well below the 49th parallel. 

Meaford marina

Bruce Peninsula National Park

North up the Bruce Peninsula, a long narrow geological feature that forms a natural barrier between Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. We have a reservation at the Bruce peninsula National Park - Birches campground. We made this reservation 5 months ago and could only get 2 nights. Very popular place. 

Rugged terrain along the hike

When we are checking in, the young man suggests we take the hike out to The Grotto, a limestone cave overlooking Georgian Bay's clear waters. The hike features forests, wetlands and rugged cliffs. 

The Grotto from above

We come upon The Grotto and it is stunning. The crystal clear blue water is straight out of the likes of the Caribbean. 

Blue pool inside the cave

View out from inside the cave

Chris climbing out of the Grotto

Indian Head  Cove

A short scramble from The Grotto is a very popular beach called Indian Head Cove. Many people are enjoying the water though we hear it is very chill. We sadly had read swimming can be dangerous so we didn't bring our bathing suits. Today is so calm the conditions are ideal for swimming but these conditions are rare as there is usually some sort of wind making the beach a crashing shore of hidden dangers. 

Cliffs along the Bruce Trail

From Indian Head Cove we continue along the hike and end up on a portion of the Bruce Trail, Canada's longest and oldest marked hiking trail, extending approximately 900 km along the Niagara Escarpment from Niagara to Tobermory. It's a trail of very diverse terrain, including cliffs, forests and waterways. 

We branch off The Bruce Trail and get onto the trail back to the campsite. It has portions of nice boardwalks and marshes to finish off our stellar hike. 

Sun set on Cyprus Lake

We are back to Cyprus Lake where we are camped just as the sun is setting. There are lots of people watching the event and we have a nice chat with a group of young guys from London, Ontario.

Back to the RV about 8:15pm...hungry and tired. BBQ supper and fall into bed. 

Bike ride to Thornbury + Drive up to Blue Mountain Ski Hill, Ontario

Georgian Trail

Chat GPT planned our entire day for us today. Chris put in where we were and asked for suggestions. First we bike 30 minutes west of our campground to the Town of Thornbury. We bike along the Georgian Trail, which follows the south shore of the Georgian Bay. An easy ride as it's basically at water-level. 

Momma swan with 3 gray babies

Along the way we come upon a momma swan and her 3 babies (cygnets). Cygnets stay a gray color until about 6 months old so even though they are pretty much as big as she is, they are still very young.

We bike out to the local marina and through a few streets, just enjoying the sunshine. 

Lunch on the outdoor patio

A restaurant called, The Mill, was suggested for a lunch stop and we don't want to argue with Chat GPT so in we go. 

Chris has tacos + Sheila salmon w/Quinoa

Blue Mountain Ski Hill

As we bike back to the RV, we see the Blue Mountain Ski hill, which is supposed to be popular with people from Toronto. We think using the word mountain for this hill is a long shot, but they are proud of what they have :)

Top of Blue Mountain

Once back at the RV, we hop in the truck and drive to the top of Blue Mountain for a view of Georgian Bay and the Blue Mountain ski hill resort. 

We learn a guy named, Jozo Weider, originally from Czechoslovakia, transformed a small farming area in Ontario into the province's largest ski destination. His vision led him to build the first lodge and ultimately a ski village. Sadly, he was killed in a car accident in 1971 but his family saw his dream through to fruition. 

South Chair - Ontario's first chairlift

Though the hill doesn't have a ton of vertical (only 220 meters), it stretches quite a way east to west with many runs for people to enjoy. 

In 1959, the first ever chairlift in Ontario was installed at Blue Mountain. The South Chair was a double chairlift. 

We tour through the ski resort and are quite impressed with the number of chalets, condos and streets trying to create a mini Whistler :)

Back to the RV for some relax time on Georgian Bay. 

Big Chute Lock 44 - Martyrs' Shrine - Midland - Wasaga Beach and Craigleith Provincial Park

Canadian Shield along highway 400

Just the way the locks are located along the Trent-Severn Waterway, we saw lock 45 (the last lock) yesterday. Big Chute Lock 44 is actually back north up the highway 400 and we find ourselves fully back into the Canadian Shield and only 60 km from Parry Sound where we visited a few weeks back. 

Big Chute Lock 44 Marine Railway

Big Chute Lock 44 is the only marine railway in North America, an engineering marvel on the Trent-Severn Waterway that lifts boats over a 60-foot ridge between the Severn River and Gloucester Pool using a railway-mounted carriage with slings. 

Boat driving into the chute

When we arrive just before 10am, it is sitting quietly waiting for the day. At 10 am sharp the operating crew arrives and gets straight to work. There is a boat waiting on the dock and slowly the marine lift slides down the tracks and into the water for the boat to drive into the slings. 

Boat in the slings 

The chute rolls back up to the top

Chute rolling down the other side 

Chute into water and boat drives away :)

View of the lift from the other side

It was a bit out of our way to get up here to see this marine railway, which operates as a lock, but we are sure happy we took the extra effort as it is absolutely amazing to watch. Boats are able to pass over the high ground by floating onto the submerged railway carriage, which then hoists them overland. 

 

Working machinery of the Chute lift

We head into the little visitors center and see the massive cables and winches that make this whole thing happen. Very cool. 

Group of kayakers get lifted :)

We are just heading back to our rig and we notice a group of kayakers getting ready to use the Big Chute lift. Darn, what a cool thing to have joined in on if only we had known. They paddle on and just sit on the base of the lift rather than using the slings. They all have huge smiles. 

End of the Canadian Shield

We back track down highway 400 and officially leave the Canadian Shield again. Another beautiful thing we experienced on this trip. 

Martyrs' Shrine near Midland

The Martyrs' Shrine is right along our way so we make a quick stop. It is very impressive both inside and out. 

It honors eight Jesuit missionaries who were martyred in the 17th century on or near here and tries to give insight of the shared history between the Indigenous peoples and early European missionaries. 

Inside the Martyrs' Shrine

Town of Midland

Just down the road is the Town of Midland, which is known for its murals. 

It's another sweet colorful town we get a small glimpse of. 

Our last pit stop of the day has us on Wasaga Beach.

Wasaga Beach

WOW, what a beach. This beach is recognized as the longest freshwater beach in the world, spanning over 14 km of sandy shoreline along the southern shores of Georgian Bay. 

The sand is so soft and warm..

Every Ontario town has these banners with the town name on them. They are always colorful and very nice addition to the streets. 

Finally we arrive at Craigleith Provincial Park on the southern shores of Georgian Bay. Our home for the next two nights.

Fractured shale shoreline

It's known for it's fractured shale shoreline and breathtaking views of the crystal clear water. 

Sun setting on Georgian Bay

We have a sun downer and call it day...another busy one at that.

Fenelon Falls, Orillia and north to Port Severn, Ontario

Today is a driving day as we near the end of the Trent-Severn Waterway. From Bobcaygeon we head to Fenelon Falls - Lock 34. 

Fenelon Falls

Known as the "Jewel of the Kawarthas," centered around the stunning Fenelon Falls and the Trent-Severn Waterway connecting Cameron and Sturgeon Lakes.  

Fenelon Falls with Lock 34 on the right

All these towns along the Trent-Severn waterway are so quaint and colorful. This whole area is so darn beautiful. 

The Fenelon Museum

There is a local museum we poke our heads into. 

Fenelon Falls public school bell - 1875

There is an old school room with classic old desks and a chalk board.

RIP - Sophie

We leave a tribute to Sophie...The price of a good dog is broken heart - RIP Sophie

Horse and buggy traveller

Next up is the City of Orillia along the shores of Lake Simcoe. We meet this horse and carriage on our way. 

 

Gordon Lightfoot - Golden Leaves Sculpture

Orillia is the birth place of Gordon Lightfoot, the famous Canadian singer/songwriter folk legend. We head to Tudhope Memorial Park in search of the bronze sculpture called "Golden Leaves". The sculpture depicts Lightfoot playing a guitar, surrounded by an arch of maple leaves that feature carved scenes from his songs. Our picture cannot begin to show the detail in each leaf depicting various Gord's Gold songs. 

Gordon Lightfoot and his guitar

Wreck of the Edmunds Fitzgerald bronze leaf

This individual bronze leaf of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald depicts the sinking of the freighter, including large waves and the ship's bell. There are even 29 bells, which chimed 29 times to honor each life lost. Such an amazing piece of work. 

The leaf was actually installed in the park in 2015, the 40th anniversary of the shipwreck.

It's a very cool tribute to a wonderful musician. We listen to Gord's Gold album as we drive on to Port Severn to see the final lock of the Trent-Severn Waterway. 

Port Severn - Final lock on the Trent-Severn 

Lock 45 - Final Lock on Trent-Severn. 

We have come all the way from Trent on Lake Ontario and now if we were a boat passing through lock 45, we'd officially be in the Georgian Bay and free to travel onto Lake Huron. 

We are able to spend the night right at the lock :)