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From Sault Ste. Marie, we expected to see rolling forests with magnificent
coastlines while on the way to the next destination of Manitoulin Island. We
did not. The terrain was for the most part, very flat. Inland and along the
coast consisted of logging.. The highlight was a stop in Espanola for a
Dairy Queen. Next, before venturing onto the Island was a stop at the
tourist center for the do's and don'ts. The ticket for the ferry
to the mainland was also purchased here.
Manitoulin Island is the largest fresh water Island in North America. The
mainstay, besides the tourist industry, evident by abundant souvenir
shops, is agriculture and horse raising. We took advantage of the
perfect weather after three days of non stop rain and strolled along the
meandering beaches to feel the warmth of the sun and take pictures. Later we
ventured onto the shallow rock outcrops barely above water level to look at
the sunset with the local raven always searching for some little critter
hiding under a rock. Dinner at Linda and Ray's Cafe was as simple as
the accommodation for the night. It consisted of a hearty meal accompanied
by a glass of ice tea and huge piece of apple pie. We were ready
to leave.
The next morning we drove onto the ferry for a two hour crossover to the
mainland peninsula which divides Lake Huron and the Georgian Bay. The wind
was stiff to say the least, but everyone was assured that is could be much
worse. Quite a few pale faces tried their best to survive the ordeal.
Once again on land, we drove south, east and then north to Parry Harbor. It
was quite uneventful except for a ten to twenty mile stretch of outstanding
rock formations through which the four lane highway had been cut. Over the
next two days, we would have the opportunity to view them from the air.
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Float
Plane in Back Yard
Some have their boat in the back yard, but if you are
far from the city it should have wings........ |
Neat
Farmhouse Uncertain whether one is looking at a vacation home or farm
house - until you spot the cows nearby. |
Calm
Lake for Sailing
A shallow coastline displays a multitude of pastel
colors -a perfect place for seaplane landings. |
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Could
be a Sea Shore
Testing the water, affirms that you are on the shore of a
cold cold lake. |
This sandy beach has all the ocean characteristics with sea gulls and shells
on the
beach. When the wind kicks up, the waves can become disrespectfully large.
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Look
Out for the Rougher Water
Since the lake is large it can take
on the character of the sea.
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White
Caps The jet-stream has arrived!
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Lighthouse
at South Baymouth
Beacon for the ferry before GPS time. |
Sunset
Calm and relaxing at the end of a long
driving day. |
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Making
Friends This bird was
very curious of new faces on the beach. He walked right up to make a bid for
food - no shyness here. |
Juicy
Dinner under a Stone?
Walking with us along the beach, this
bird turned over almost every stone he thought worthwhile and often
was rewarded. |
Shelter
for Everyone
With the lake holding fresh water, life starts in every possible nook and
cranny. |
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Departure
Time The ferry
arrives from the morning mist stirring the peer into activity with cars,
bikes and people lining up. |
Parade
for the Guests
The neatly kept ship passes the peer and
then backs into the loading ramp. |
Pole
Positions
Eagerly awaiting the signal, the motorcycles wait for the green signal
to turn up the roar and parade on out. |
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Finding
the Right Way
Like an underground cavern, the large belly of the ship swallows you up. |
Down
the Throat
Between pillars and along shiny walls, we find our niche in the front of the
boat. |
Casting
Off The big
winches have released the boat from it's moorings and the boat departs the
protected port. |
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Tossing
Wind With the
wind breaker we feel comfortable watching the waves churning with white
caps. |
Lighthouse
of Cove Island
Signals from Tobermory, tells us that our
destination is approaching. |
Hungry
Ferry Time to
regurgitate it's load and swallow a fresh batch of passengers willing to pay
a few bucks. |
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Granite
North shore
Beautiful rock formations line the highway to Parry Harbor. |
Stay
on the Road
Are guard rails are necessary with this road side protection? |
Parry
Harbor Our
long expected destination appears after our seaplane adventure. |
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Next Web Page
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Floatplane
Flying
at Parry Sound
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