Bruce Peninsula to Algoma

We are prepared for lots of different weather. A heat wave moved into Southern Ontario at the start of our trip, but judging by the forecast the weather will be cold when we get to Thunder Bay. Fortunately one of the advantages of road trips is we don’t really need to worry about packing light. In addition to our clothes and jackets for varying weather, we also have collapsible chairs, a camping table, a sunshade and a fancy cooler that we can plug in while in the car, then bring it into the motel at night and plug it in there. My Aunt Ruth told us about it when we were in Nova Scotia last summer, as apparently her sister Carol travelled with one all the time. We found one at Canadian Tire and so far it has worked a charm.

Our first day on the road was really just meant to get us to Tobermory to be ready to take the ferry over to Manitoulin Island. But it turned into an unexpectedly enjoyable day. We stopped in Owen Sound on the way and found not one but two interesting little museums. The first was a Tom Thomson Gallery that we had recently heard about and which has some personal items and paintings donated by his friends and family. Very fitting to stop there as we head to Algoma country and scenes of some of his famous paintings.

The second museum was a total fluke as we were headed to visit an uncle of Ken’s and parked outside a beautiful home, only to discover it was the birthplace of the Great War flying ace Billy Bishop and has been turned into a museum, complete with many original items from his home, and personal effects including his desk, uniforms and other memorabilia from his career.

After leaving Owen Sound we detoured to Sauble beach, which is a beautiful sandy beach on Lake Huron and quite pleasant to visit in May, although I imagine it is packed in the summer. We were very pleased to discover the ice cream stand was open.

We eventually arrived at Tobermory, which is a delightful little village where the Chi Cheemaun ferry leaves twice a day to head over to Manitouin Island. Fortunately we went down to explore the waterfront the day we arrived because by the next day it was very foggy. Reminiscent of Nova Scotia when we were there for days before we actually saw the ocean. The trip across was uneventful and we decided we will take the ferry again on our return home, as it is certainly more enjoyable than chasing up Highway 400. Hopefully it won’t be as foggy!