Summer's Done .... Almost!

What an eejit I am!!.  I found this in my draft folder.  Guess it's not too late.....

The Massassauga didn't happen this year.  It's our annual end of summer, September paddling trip.  Nasty weather forecasts for the Parry Sound area forced us to rejig our plans.  So we booked a yurt at Silent Lake Provincial Park.  It's just over the 1 1/2 hours from home criterion.

Staying in a smallish round dwelling with 5 other men was a truly enlightening or frightening experience.  After the early morning rendezvous at Mc Cafe we had an uneventful drive, stopping only to buy forgotten sauerkraut and worms. One was for dinner, the other one wasn't.   We got to the park just after 11:00am.  It was raining steadily so we put up the tarp, unpacked the vehicles and chatted about just about everything all afternoon.  We saw two deer (does) wandering around. Very serene. Dinner was sausage with sauerkraut with salad.  It started to rain even harder so there wasn't a big argument to get everyone into the yurt for some card playin'.

             
The yurt was warm and cosy.  The fireplace was a godsend.  We had a few wobbly pops, snacks and great conversation.  I can't remember who won the euchre tournament but it doesn't really matter. Went to sleep early, about 10:30.

Saturday morning was cold.  The fire in the wood stove went out during the night and none of us were smart enough to put another log on.  Our plan this day was to paddle the shore of Silent Lake.  It was a cool but very pleasant paddle.   We stopped at the campground beach for a look around and a couple of nuts in our group went swimming.  Too cold for me!!

That evening we had a great campfire.  Lots of stories, laughs and even some harmonica and blues singing.  Went to bed quite a bit later as some people didn't know when to quit.  There was a lot of snoring in the night!!

We were all up bright and early the next day.  Two of us left early to attend to family commitments back home.  The other four went to the Day Beach to have another paddle and a picnic.  The best thing about the day was that no one was there!!

While we missed our annual trip out onto Georgian Bay, the yurt experience was still a good one!

Little Portugal in November

It was a cold and windy day not a dark and stormy night.  Lorie and I made a trip into Toronto to see a film and have dinner to celebrate her birthday.  We had one of those internet Groupons for a new restaurant out on Dundas West in Little Portugal.  Neither of us had been there before and we were looking forward to a new area to explore.  While we actually didn't see a whole lot of this neighbourhood, we both realized that interesting little"villages" like this one exist all over the GTA.
Here's what we did see in about 45 minutes and 3 blocks:
-a Portugese meat market with everything from salt cod to pigs ears

-hand made clothing stores for women and for just children
-a catering and banquet hall
-several travel agents specializing in trips to Brazil and Portugal
-an office to help immigrants to Canada
-barbershops and hairdressers, some traditional, others nouveau chic
-the Lisboa Hardware store
-at least 4 sports bars with TVs showing soccer and seemingly only open for men (Just kidding of course)
- 2 Vietnamese restaurants
-a couple of gift shops with lots of stuff from Brazil
-a cheese and bakery shop/cafe
-Full of Beans Cafe - we had a delicious americano there
- a Psychic shop open for readings

When I got home I looked Little Portugal up on the internet and found out how unique and interesting it is.


Oh yeah.  The restaurant was called Quinta (pronounced "keenta").  It had a very unique menu and lots of gluten free options for me.  We started with a glass of cava - - sparkling wine.  The appetizer was a potato, kale, chorizo soup that was very yummy.  Lorie had their cornish hen and really enjoyed it.  I had seared albacore tune on a bed of quinoa.  It also came with baked radishes, green beans and a very flavourful sauce. Of course we had a glass of wine too.
Dessert ( poached pear tart and wheat free chocolate mousse cake) and a coffee finished things off.  The waitress was super friendly.  We were surprised that they weren't busier.

Next time we hope to explore Ossington St between College and Queen.  I hear there is a blues bar there called the Dakota Tavern that's worth a visit .......

June is gone...........

I have been remiss.  June was so busy I haven't had a chance to get out and explore in a simple way. Oh, I've been busy - kayaking on Georgian Bay, several trips to Toronto, visiting in Muskoka and celebrating my birthday at a trendy restaurant in the Portlands (Cherry Street Restaurant, they have the best dry rub ribs!!).

Sunset on Georgian Bay

I have been loaned an awesome bike for the summer.  I'll probably never be a road cyclist, putting in 100km a day.  But I will try to visit some quiet villages and towns to cycle through. I really am more  of an easy bike path person.  In fact, Lorie and I cycled the Whitby waterfront trail on Canada Day.  The weather was gorgeous and it wasn't too busy in the early morning.

With June's busy-ness gone, it means we can really get into July, August and September.  Some trips we have planned:  a week cycling and paddling on Manitoulin Island,  camping at Restoule Provincial Park and a day trip to Stratford to catch a play.

I am terrible at remembering the camera, but I'll try to post some new pics soon.  Safe travelling out there!!

Stephen's Gulch

I love this hot weather!  Time for a hike........

I've seen the sign for CLOCA's "Stephen's Gulch" many times but never ventured there.  Today, Lorie and I made the short trek to this amazing little gem of a hike.  It's just north of Bowmanville, off of Taunton Road.  A short drive south takes you to the parking lot that has an interesting display board that talks about the history, geography and wildlife in the area.

The well marked trail is only 3km long and is classified as difficult.  I'm sure that's just for the winter and cross-country skiers.  We were able to finish in about 45 minutes walking at a leisurely pace.  The forest consists of a wide variety of habitats.  There are cedar groves, pine stands, deciduous forest, meadows and sandy ridges.  There are quite a few side trails that warrant exploration the next time we're there.  We did not see Soper Creek from the main trail (we did see it from the car on the way in and out), but I suspect one of the offshoot trails leads down to it.  By the time we finished we were both hot and only a little tired.

A word of caution.  There was a ton of poison ivy growing in spots.  Beware!











On the route home we drove through picturesque Leskard and stopped at the Tyrone Mill for an ice cream cone.



This is definitely a hike I would do again sometime soon.

Frenchman's Bay

What a beautiful day today!  I just had to get out in the kayak.  So, I decided Frenchman's Bay offered some good possibilities, especially with the wind out of the southeast. 
I put in at the end of Beachpoint Promenade, an unserviced road giving two possible water accesses.  I had a look at the lake side.  It was much cooler down here by the water.  It wasn't bad at all, just a little chop due to the wind.  I decided for the Bay side so I could easily go up the creek.  There were a few fishermen on the water but it was very quiet out there - I guess it's the lull before a long weekend.
A few bank fishermen were trying their luck as I paddled under the bridge.  Once through , it was only a kilometer or so until I'd have to turn around.  Saw some terns, a Great Blue Heron, a few swans, kingfishers and families of Canada Geese.  The hilight was all the turtles.  I must have seen 20 or more.  They were all sunning themselves and enjoying the peace and quiet.  On one log I counted a bakers dozen lined up in a row.

On the paddle back I did venture out onto the Lake.  The water was very clear and cold (48F).  A few pet owners had their dogs diving after toys in the water but it was definitely too cold for me.  After packing up the kayak I had a drive around the waterfront at the end of Liverpool Road.  It's a nice community with lots of local businesses and restaurants.  It's a nice place to have a summer drink at sundown!

Orono Crown Lands

On Thursday I met a good friend to have lunch in the village of Orono and then go on a hike in the woods.  The Orono Country Cafe provides a simple but really good lunch.  It was run by a lovely, hardworking couple who seemed to know all the guests.  After our meal we stopped at the famous Village Bakery to check it out.  It's a great place to fill your sweet tooth needs.  The homemade fudge looked delicious.   The town itself is fascinating.  There is everything from antiques to Zen candles.  It wasn't busy at all and really had that small village feel.  Orono isn't always that way apparently.  A look at their village website reveals a ton of locally run activities throughout the year.  Check it out at:   http://www.visitorono.com

Off to the Woods!
The Orono Crown lands are an awesome collection of trails.  I followed my friend through cedar groves, hardwood forests, beside creek banks and along an old railway track.  I totally trusted my guide even when he said several times, "Oh, I thought we should have come out somewhere else!"  There were several great spots for a picnic but we only stopped for a brief water break.  The creek and sound it made were incredibly soothing.  We didn't see any fish spawning but I'm told it's a regular sight.  The trails are not marked as they are in other places but you can check out the map at their website:  http://www.oronocrownlands.com

Stay tuned for my next adventure!  

Outing #1 Ganaraska

May 6th
For years I took groups of student to the Ganaraska Forest for outdoor education experiences.  In the winter I would cross country ski with my family and friends there.  Lorie (my wife, whom I hope will accompany me on many of my excursions) and I decided on a "Ganny" hike and picnic yesterday.
It was a fabulous day - plenty of sunshine, no bugs, few people and a forest just starting to bloom.  We took the yellow trail (3.7km) and noticed some changes right away.  The park was much cleaner, better marked and there were some awesome new buildings.  Treetop Trekking.com has even built a canopy tour for the public to enjoy for a price.
We stopped about 2/3 of the way to have a trail-side picnic.  Very nice and relaxing.
On the way home we took a new route passing through two villages I didn't know were there - Starkville and Crooked Creek.  I may have to revisit these places.  Lorie spotted a kestrel on a fence post with a mouse it had just caught. It was a perfect day!!

Welcome

I am sure that amazing adventures and discoveries await less than a mere 1 1/2 hours from home.  Join me here to see what I find over the next few months.