Sauble Falls Provincial Park

Growing up, I loved Sauble beach. I mean, what’s not to love about clean warm water, a fun boardwalk filled with arcades, ice cream and tacky vendors and at seven miles long, the second longest freshwater beach in the world!
When the suggestion was made to try camping at Sauble Falls Provincial Park, I was anxious to find out how the area had changed. I was not disappointed.

Sauble Falls Provincial Park is located just north of the town of Sauble Beach and is a relatively small park, featuring just 152 campsites and only 53 of these with hydro hookups. The park is divided into 2 campgrounds, separated by county road 13.

Although the immature forest of the area does not lend itself to providing privacy, the best sites in the park in terms of size and location are: 31, 33, 35, 37, 39 and 40 in the West Campground and 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 and 112 in the East Campground. All of these sites back onto the Sauble River as well. Avoid sites 46 and 43 as they are very close to an access road.

The main feature of the park is Sauble Falls itself, a multi-tiered waterfall that provides a great spot for wading and photography. For the more adventurous, there are spots where people can be found jumping from the ledges into the cascading water below. Canoe and kayak rentals are available.

Just a short drive from both Sauble and North Sauble beach and their legendary shoreline and sunsets, Sauble Falls is a worthwhile destination and a great jump off point for further exploration of the Bruce Peninsula.

Happy New Year, and thank you all for your interest and comments regarding this site. I look forward to sharing more in 2010!!

Cam

Sydenham Falls - Dundas, Ontario

“There’s a waterfall where??”
That was my immediate reaction when my brother called me and asked how I felt about an early morning fall hike into Sydenham Falls. Having lived in this area for over 20 years, I thought I knew the trails and waterfalls in the area pretty good. Even more incredible, this waterfall was only 5 minutes away.

A quick check on the website http://www.cityofwaterfalls.ca/ revealed that this specific area featured not only one, but three waterfalls!
So with sons in tow and accompanied by a very excited Rosie the wonder dog, we headed out to explore.

I had seen the trail heading into the woods at the bottom of the Sydenham Hill in Dundas, Ontario for years, not ever realizing the beauty and amazing rock formations that would appear just steps beyond the entrance of this trail.

The first waterfall that you come to is called Lower Sydenham Falls and it is approximately 13 feet high and is located below the railway bridge that crosses Sydenham Creek.

As you continue up the trail about 100 metres, heading steadily uphill into the escarpment, you will find a side trail on your right with a very steep downhill grade. This somewhat treacherous descent will take you to the bottom of Middle Sydenham Falls. The climb is worth it as this washboard curtain falls which is about 20 feet high is spectacular!

Heading back up the main trail, you arrive at Upper Sydenham Falls, which at approximately 45 feet tall is the largest of the three. It is a beautiful ribbon type falls and is a great spot to take photos.

Heading back out with kids now looking for some lunch and Rosie yearning to have an afternoon nap in front of the fireplace, we all agreed that a return hike in the summer, with the trees in full bloom is a “must do!”

Webster's Falls - Dundas, Ontario

With the temperature hovering right around the freezing mark, and the sun shining, it felt like a hike out to Webster’s Falls was in order. Of the hundred or so waterfalls in the Hamilton area, Webster’s Falls is likely the best known and with a large park area around it is an ideal spot for a days picnic.

In the summer I like to hike into the falls from the lower trail, starting at the rail bridge where it meets King Street in Dundas and approaching the falls from the bottom. This is a spectacular hiking trail in the summer but can be slippery and difficult to hike in the winter.

Webster’s Falls is located in Spencer Gorge Wilderness Area, and is part of the Niagara Escarpment, declared by the United Nations (UNESCO) as a World Biosphere Reserve. This unique geological formation contains two of Hamilton’s best waterfalls, one of its best lookouts, and hundreds of species of wildlife living in this Carolinian forest.

Webster’s Falls is 22 metres (75 feet) high and is one of two waterfalls in the immediate area, with the other, Tew’s Falls, a short hike away. It is created where the main branch of Spencer Creek empties into the gorge. From the top of the falls, there is a series of stairs that you can take to get down to the base. There are a number of good vantage points for photography.

The area also features a beautiful cobblestone bridge which was built in 1936 and restored in 2000. As the Bruce trail meanders through this area, there is an abundance of main and side trails offering spectacular views of the valley below.

This is a beautiful area and worth a visit regardless of the season.
To get to Webster's Falls, take Highway 8 from Dundas going up to Greensville. Keep right on Brock Road and turn right onto Harvest Road. Turn right on Short Road, then left onto Fallsview Road. The parking lot will be on your right.

Sherman Falls - Ancaster, Ontario

The Hamilton area is blessed with an abundance of easily accessible waterfalls and is host to many visitors through out the summer who come to take pictures and enjoy the natural beauty.

Although visited by many in the summer months, these waterfalls become much less frequently visited in the fall and winter months. In my opinion, this becomes an ideal time to explore as the area takes on a whole different feel during these seasons.

Taking advantage of a mild fall day, I recently headed out, with kids and dog in tow, to explore Ancasters Sherman Falls. Easy to get to, the trail starts right where Old Ancaster Road meets Lions Club Road in Ancaster and meanders over reasonable easy terrain for the short distance to the base of these falls.

There is a wooden bridge that crosses the stream right near the base of the falls that presents a great vantage point for photo taking.

Sherman Falls is a 17 metre multi tier waterfall surrounded by rugged limestone rock, mossy rock and natural forest. It is absolutely beautiful in the summer but in my opinion is great to visit all year.

An easy day trip, consider Sherman Falls when looking for a place to day hike or to take amazing pictures.

Flower Pot Island - Part 2

Leaving the flower pots behind, the main trail continues along the shoreline taking you to a large cave which is accessible by a set of stairs.

Some of the cedar trees that grow from the tiny crevasses in the rock are centuries old and you can’t help but be amazed at their ability to survive in such a harsh environment. The age of some of these tree’s are incredible. Growing from the cliff face, researchers from the University of Guelph found one cedar to be over 1800 years old, making it the oldest known living tree in eastern North America. The cave itself is beautiful and a great place to cool off before continuing your hike across the island.

Continuing down the trail, you will eventually get to the lighthouse at the north-easterly point of the island. Although the original lighthouse was built in 1897, a new, more modern version was constructed on the cliff face in 1969. This site features a lighthouse museum which is the former light keepers’ home and the view from the veranda is spectacular. This is a great place to have lunch and take photos before hiking back.

Plan to spend the better part of the day exploring this great island hiking, taking photo’s and swimming in the cool, clear waters of Georgian Bay. For the more adventurous, the island features 6 campsites complete with tent platforms if you wish to stay overnight. These sites are not reservable and are available on a first come first serve basis.

A beautiful spot and a truly unique destination, Flower Pot Island is just one more reason why I return to Tobermory every summer.

Flower Pot Island - Part 1

From the moment we stepped off the zodiac and onto the island, I knew that we had arrived somewhere special.
The trip to Flower Pot Island begins in Little Tub Harbour in Tobermory, probably my favorite little town in Ontario.
As the zodiac leaves the harbour and enters the waters of Fathom Five National Marine Park, the waves begin to grow. Crossing the wake of the M.S. Chicheeman as it takes its passengers and vehicles across to Manatoulin Island, the zodiac captain ensures that all passengers get good and wet.
Approaching Flower Pot Island, your eyes are immediately drawn first to the water which is incredibly tropical looking, and then on to the two sea stacks for which the island is named.
These stacks which are made of dolomitic limestone were created by the surrounding rock slowly being worn away by the crashing waves of Georgian Bay, leaving these magnificent stacks behind.

It’s a short hike from the boat dock, through a trails bordered by ancient cypress and cedar trees to the shore where these two flower pots stand, silently standing guard over the island. Standing at the base of them, your imagination takes you back to a time when the water level, much higher than it is today would have been crashing into them, eroding the surrounding rock and eventually receding, leaving only these rock formations standing.
This is a great place to swim, take photos or to meditate, taking in the natural beauty around you. You very quickly feel that you have arrived at a unique destination on the planet, truly a very special place.


Next week: Hiking the island.

Balsam Lake

Having never been woken before by the sound of wild turkeys, it took me a moment to find my bearings. Through my groggy haze, I realized that the woods around our campsite had been temporarily invaded by what sounded like a large group of these usually evasive birds. What an incredible way to be woken up. The evening had already been a fun one, with a later than usual dinner at our campsite (no. 505), followed by cocktails and campfire at my brother Ryan’s campsite (no. 506), our neighbor for the weekend.

One of the joys of camping in late September, at least at Balsam Lake Provincial Park, is the lack of other campers. With only a handful of other diehard campers in the park, the quietness helped make us feel like we had the park and beach to ourselves. In fact, there were only two of five campgrounds open in the park.

I found this park to be unique in that it featured some of the most amazing, as well as some of the least desirable, sites of any park I have visited. The key to site selection here is choosing one of the sites that border Balsam Lake. In the Lakeshore campground sites 502, 503, 505, 506, 508, 510, 512 and 513 are all waterfront, have hydro and are large and private. Sites 504, 507, 509 and 511 are across the park road from the water and provide a water view but without the luxury of being able to cast a line right from your campsite. I found some areas of the Lakeshore campground park to be very open with small sites and minimal privacy. These would mainly be sites 40 – 123. Unless you have a large trailer and require a pull-through site, you will likely find these to be more open than you would expect for a provincial park. The remaining campgrounds, particularly The Hawthorne Valley and Mapleview sites are beautiful and wooded, although many of them are not equipped with hydro.

An interesting fact about Balsam Lake is that it is situated in the chain of rivers, lakes and canals that make up the Trent-Severn Waterway and is 256 metres above sea level. This makes it the highest point on earth to which a boat can be navigated from sea level.

With a beautiful beach, boat rentals, hiking trails, a variety of programs to participate in and of course, the sounds of wild turkeys in the night, Balsam Lake is a great summer destination.

Cooking in Style

Nothing tops off a great day of camping better than a good meal and nothing makes this easier than having a well planned out food preparation area.
Over the years, I have prepared meals on river shores, on rocks and on logs put together to form a primitive table, but when trailer camping, I am looking for ease and organization.

I have seen and researched various camp kitchens available today and to the best of my knowledge, the Deluxe Camper’s Kitchen from Cabela’s has them all beat.

This sturdy work centre features 3 preparation surfaces, a stainless steel pot rack, loads of storage space as well as lantern hooks and a spice rack. It folds up easily and comes with a storage bag.

If you are considering the addition of a camp kitchen to your gear this year, give the Deluxe Camper’s Kitchen from Cabela’s a look. At under $200, it keeps all of your utensils and ingredients together and makes preparing dinner for the group a lot more enjoyable.

MacGregor Point

If walking and cycling are an important part of your camping experience, then MacGregor Point may be the provincial park for you. Featuring over 30 km of trails, boardwalks and points of interest, there is plenty to see and do. MacGregor Point has multiple beaches, 2 dog exercise areas and a visitor centre that features interactive displays and crafts for the kids, a good rainy afternoon destination.
The turtle pond area is interesting but is best seen in the earlier part of the season, as the water level can drop and dry up by September.

In my opinion the Algonquin campground is the best campground of the three in the park. This is the section with sites 1 – 136. The sites in this area are large and private with a large number of them being of the pull through variety allowing for larger trailers. The tree covering is heavy affording good privacy between sites and they are well situated in terms of proximity to the camp store, visitor centre and trails.
MacGregor Point also features yurts for rent for those brave souls interested in trying winter camping.

The Perfect Day

Friday July 24, 2009 was the perfect day. Sitting on the shore at dinner time on a rocky point on Ralph Bice Lake, a perfect flame broiled burger perched on one knee and a cold beer in hand, I surveyed the scene of perfection around me. Spectacular Alquonquin Park scenery, incredible silence and a feeling of accomplishment surrounded me and I was at peace.
What made the day so wonderful was the effort that was required to be here. We had set off early that morning, my brother Ryan and I and our boys, his two sons and my two, four excited boys all under the age of nine.

After registering in Kearney and checking in with the outfitters, we proceeded for a 50 minute drive into the park down a sometimes very narrow logging road, arriving at our first checkpoint on the shore of Magnetawan Lake. We loaded up our gear into the two canoes that were waiting there for us and started out across this very small lake, arriving at our first portage point in minutes. Walking the trail with a canoe on my shoulders, I was happy that the first portage was a short one and we were soon again paddling, this time across Hambone Lake and deeper into the park. By the time we crossed Hambone Lake, completed a longer portage into Ralph Bice Lake and found our site it was mid afternoon. We set about putting up tents, gathering wood and exploring the area around us.

The discovery of bear droppings near our site and the sound of loons swimming by caught the attention of the boys and they marveled at the quiet and beauty of our new temporary home. By the time dinner was ready, we were all starving hungry and the meal was delicious. Sitting in front of our fire, with the sun setting and the loons calling was a great way to cap the end of our first day in beautiful Algonquin Park.

A Change of Pace

As I write this, I’m enjoying a beer and gorgeous weather on the verandah at Chantry Breezes Bed and Breakfast in picturesque Southampton, Ontario. After all, you can’t rough it all the time.
Owners Don and Jenny Amy purchased this spectacular home in 1999 and have lovingly renovated it, ensuring key details such as trim and baseboards are authentically reminiscent of the era of the house which was built in 1907.
The accommodations are beautiful, the breakfasts scrumptious and the hospitality friendly and accommodating.

The first morning’s breakfast featured maple poached pears, cheese and tomato frittata with ham and toast and perhaps the best blueberry muffins I‘ve ever tasted. The second morning’s pancakes with locally made sausage were great as well.
Steps from the Lake Huron shore and a short drive to Port Elgin and MacGregor Point Provincial Park, Chantry Breezes is an ideal location from which to explore the area.
So, when you are looking for a relaxing getaway that offers a change from a camping destination, consider visiting Southampton and Chantry Breezes Bed and Breakfast. You won’t be disappointed. http://www.chantrybreezes.com

Next week, back to park and camping reviews.

Thanksgiving at Port Burwell Provincial Park

For those of you that believe that the camping season ends on Labour Day, you are missing out on a great tradition, Thanksgiving in the provincial park. We have been fortunate to spent a couple of Thanksgiving weekends in Port Burwell Provincial Park and have never been disappointed.
Port Burwell Provincial Park is located on the north shore of Lake Erie just south of Tillsonburg, Ontario.

Being at the southern part of the province it tends to warm up quicker and stay warm longer making it an ideal destination at the beginning and end of the camping season. Arriving there on the Thanksgiving weekend, the first thing you will notice is the festive feel to the park. It has become a tradition on this weekend to decorate the sites and you will notice the presence of pumpkins, corn stalks and hay bales on many sites. The second thing you will notice is the smell. The first time I walked past a camp site where a turkey was being cooked in a deep fryer, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I had to stop in to see what was cooking, and the campers were more than happy to show me and explain in great detail the process and how delicious the end result was.

If you haven’t tried this for yourself, the instructions to do so are:

Ingredients:
Deep Fried Turkey
· 3 tbsp garlic powder
· 3 tbsp onion powder
· 3 tbsp paprika
· 1/2 tsp ground bay leaves
· 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
· 3 tbsp gumbo file
· 1 tbsp salt
· 12 lb. turkey, washed and dried thoroughly
· 14 litres peanut oil

Directions:
Deep Fried Turkey
1. Using a commercial turkey fryer, and following manufacturer's instructions, heat oil to 375°F.
2. Make sure the fryer is positioned well away from any children, teenagers, pets or flammable structures.
3. Make sure the pot is only partly filled to allow for the level of the oil to increase when the turkey is added.
4. You should also leave room to allow for the bubbling of the oil when the turkey is first added.
5. Judge the level of oil necessary by placing the raw turkey in the empty pot and covering it with an inch or two of water. Remove the turkey, mark the level and discard the water.
6. Mix spices and salt together and rub liberally over the outside of the turkey.
7. Gradually immerse the whole turkey into the hot oil a little bit at a time, giving the oil a chance to calm down before immersing more of the bird.
8. It's a good idea to wear heavy gloves and a long sleeve shirt for protection from the inevitable spattering of the oil.
9. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. DO NOT LEAVE THE TURKEY OR THE HOT OIL UNATTENDED.
10. Fry turkey for 3 minutes per pound.
11. Remove from oil and let stand for 15 minutes before slicing.


So, don’t cut your camping season short. Consider including Thanksgiving weekend as one last adventure of the year, and include a deep fried turkey in your menu.

Addional photos of Inverhuron provincial park

This bike trail follows the shoreline of Lake Huron.

A view of the bay from a stop on the bike trail.

Inverhuron Provincial Park

One of Ontario's best kept secrets, Inverhuron Provincial Park is quite small with under 200 sites. It is located on the beautiful shores of lake Huron, just north of Kincardine. This park features a nice sandy beach, biking trails and large private campsites. As this park was rebuilt over the last few years, the sites still appear to have a gravel based new look to them, but are starting to look more natural each year. The park features 2 campgrounds; Lime Kiln and Gunn Point and the best sites in each are the final row which follows the waters edge. The best sites in Lime Kiln are 165, 166, 167 and 168. The best sites in Gunn Point are 60 to 76 excluding 69, 71 and 75. Getting one of these sites will ensure that you are lolled to sleep to the sound of the rolling waves on Lake Huron.

There is a unique feature in the park, that being an old family cemetary that is like stepping back in time. This is within cycling distance of all camp sites and is worth a visit.

All in all, a great park to visit with spectacular Lake Huron sunsets, well maintained private camp sites and no crowds.