Friday, July 31, 2015

Coffin Ridge

We could not resist a drive to Coffin Ridge and the Coffin Ridge Winery. The winery featured aptly named beverages including, Back from the Dead Red, Into the Light White and Bone Dry White, and a 'must- see' bathroom...really you have to travel to the Bruce Penninsula to see it.

Walter's Falls

Billed as a b&b, The Falls Inn, in Walter's Falls, was luxury hotel accommodations,
built adjacent to the Walter's Falls, a spectacular double plunging waterfalls. The community of Walter's Falls was tiny. We walked around the entire town in under 15 minutes.
Dinner was a three course extravaganza....
with dessert, and yes, the creme brûlée made that lovely crack sound when we broke into it.



Weaver's Falls

Weaver Fall, in Owen Sound is one of many water falls in the area. This waterfall is unique in that it features plunging and cascading falls. While the initial boardwalk to the falls was sturdy, to actually see the falls we had to navigate the slippery river's edge, which proved to be muddy and treacherous, but worth the adventure.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Hoity Toity

66 Pickup, 283, Rusty Bling, Three in the Tree, Sweet Tux, Forget the Roses, Gravel Snow Storm and more...
These are just some of the clever names of ciders and wines at Hoity Toity Winery. Who could resist a name like that! Tucked away in Mildmay, these wines and ciders are sold only in certain local restaurants and of course on site. How some of these wines got their names...we are not sure, but
This white wine was named after the old blue truck below.


Saugeen River

On its way to Lake Huron, the Saugeen River passes many small communities, farms and woodland. 
Over rocky swifts and through calm waters, we paddled (actually Brenda sat princess taking photos, except over the swifts) about 10kms, enjoying the scenery and many birds along the way.
Below are the Saugeen Bluffs. 
 

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Last Light

As another day ends we are at Point Farms Provincial Park, in a tent site over looking Lake Huron. A small crowd gathered to watch the day's sun take its last breath, exhaling oranges, pinks and purples into the sky.

When by Lake Huron

You have to eat local and sample the fish and chips.  We dined at a beach side place, feasting on whitefish and fries.
Yum!
 

Goderich

We took hwy 8 to reach Goderich on the shores of Lake Huron.
Here we visited Culbert's Bakery. This store first opened its doors in 1877. It still serves tasty treats today, with many locals returning for special baking needs.
The freshly baked cookies and cream puffs were out of this world.

The Oxford Inn

Just beyond the Avon River in Stratford
we were overnight guests at Oxford House, a b&b in a house that dates back to 1906.  The original b&b was called  It Will  Go, it then became Artful Lodger and in 2013 it gained its current name.
Our accomodations were wonderful, and in the morning Grant and Rochelle served a magnificent three course breakfast.
Of course, what in Stratford without its swans?
No Bieber sightings this time.


Kingston

Kingston is a city with history that pre-dates Canada.
Fort Henry was built to defend the British naval base in 1812. Strategically significant because of its vantage point over the St. Lawrence, it never saw battle.
Daily reinactments recall life in the early 19th century.

The Ending of a Fine Day

The sunset over Loughborough Lake, leaving us with time to reflect on this day.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

The Canadian Guitar Festival

Judges hidden in a trailer behind the stage, audience in lawn chairs under a large shelter, musicians, one by one take the chair at centre stage, playing their best and hoping the judges like their performance.  This is the Canadian Guitar Festival. Attracting musicians from as far away as Japan, France, the states and of course Canada, this festival allows only 25 entrants, each of whom play up to two original works in ten minutes or less.
Ace was first to play. 

While we watched, anxiously.
Twenty five contestants later, Ace was invited to return to the stage as one of five finalists.
And declared winner of the third place prize. He received a new mandolin for his efforts and a new fan base.








Friday, May 29, 2015

Lines in the Sand

The Nazca Lines have been part of this desert for 1600 years. While their history is a mystery, these works of art, visible from the sky, remain in tribute ingenuity and creativity. 
The Alien
The Dog
The Condor
The Whale
This trapezoid is 3 kilometres long.
The Monkey
The Hummingbird
The Spider
The Parrot
The Tree (left) and Hands (right)
Your guess is as good as mine.





Boobies

That is Blue-footed boobies...




Humbolt Penguins


With  cormorant...see how they look similar