Posts Tagged ‘Peninsula’

I’m taking a vacation to the upper peninsula of michigan where to go?

I live in the mitten of Michigan and in August I’m planning on going to the UP for about a week. Now I want opinions what are the best places to go to? I’m thinking of something that has plenty of nature scenery. Possibly camping.

Things to do in Bruce Peninsula for cottage renters

1. Rent a cottage in Bruce Peninsula

Bruce Peninsula offers very unique nature environment based on crystal blue water, ancient rocks and clear sky that is very healthy for humans. The best way to enjoy Bruce Peninsula is to spend whole week exploring its wonders in the wide variety of cottages offered by private owners and professional rental agencies. And the best way to find the perfect place from this wide variety is to use FindCottage.ca website.

Website: Bruce Peninsula cottage rentals

Price: In summer most cottages are rented on the weekly bases starting from Saturday. Average price during the summer months is $1000-$2500 per week. During late spring and early fall you can get the best deal and in winter most cottages are closed.

2. Explore Flowerpot Island

Flowerpots are rock formations that have a shape of flowerpots and are formed by erosion and separation of portion of the mainland rock. The process takes millions of years and it is still happening today. Flowerpot Island is an island (that was part of the land bridge connecting Bruce Peninsula with Manitoulin Island) that has two Flowerpot Formations is just short boat ride away from Tobermory.

The island contains 6 km trail system that takes you around the island interior. It leads you through variety of forest settings and naturally formed caves (you get to them climbing beautiful wooden staircases). This place is also a beautiful nesting place for many birds and other animals. To get to the island you need to take the tour boat.

Website: http://www.pc.gc.ca/amnc-nmca/on/fathomfive/index_E.asp

Price: The tour boats prices range from $25 to $40 per adult.

3. Hike Bruce Trail in Bruce Peninsula National Park

The Bruce Peninsula Nation Park was established in 1987, and it is a part of the Niagara Escarpment. The park is 156 square kilometers, and is considered to be one of the largest protected park areas in southern Ontario. Visitors of the park get an opportunity to see how the southern Ontario wilderness once looked.

The park is great for outdoor adventures such as hiking and camping. The park’s main attraction is its preserved wildlife such as deer, chipmunk, red squirrel, black bear and foxes. The park also features a wide variety of flowering orchids, of which there is 44 species in the park.

Hikers should check out the breath taking views from the Overhanging Point, Halfway Rock point, Cave Point and Halfway Log Dump.

All of those are very famous sightseeing places, and if you are there, make sure to check out the Grotto, a huge cave formation with Georgian Bay water in its bottom.

Website: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/on/bruce/index.aspx

Price: Daily parking is $11.70 per car. Camping is $23.50 per night.

4. Dive clear waters to see ship-wrecks

Tobermory, small village that is located on top of Bruce Peninsula, attracts many diving enthusiasts, mainly because there are tons of stuff to see underwater. There are over twenty ship wrecks in the clear waters of Tobermory, many of them dating back to mid-19th and early 20th centuries. The underwater beauty doesn’t stop with the ships; beneath the water you will find beautiful corals, underwater caves and stunning geological formations.

There are few locations in Tobermory that organize scuba adventures and rent diving gear:

Diver’s Den, G+S Water sports.

Website: http://www.diversden.ca/

Price: The prices start from $40 per dive and packages that include gear and dive start from $120. You are required to have a diver license.

5. Ride Chi-Cheemaun Ferry with your car

The MS Chi-Cheemaun is a passenger and a car ferry service that has been in operation since 1930s. The ferry goes between Tobermory and South Baymouth on Manatoulin Island and connects the two geographically-separate portions of Highway 6, the service runs seasonally from mid-May to mid-October.

It is completely worth it to spend one full or even multiple days on Manitoulin Island that is the world’s largest freshwater island famous for its spectacular sunsets, scenic landscapes and tranquility.

The ferry has a capacity for carrying 648 passengers and 143 vehicles, including room for large transport vehicles such as buses and transport trucks.

Website: http://www.ontarioferries.com/chi/english/index.html

Price: The prices for Adults start at $15.95, rates per vehicle range from $34.70-$74.50.

6. Hit Sauble Beach

Sauble Beach is a resort area on the eastern shores of Lake Huron, and it is a very popular tourist attraction in Bruce Peninsula. The shoreline is over 11km long, and is said to be the second longest freshwater beach in the world after Wasaga Beach. The shoreline has an interesting phenomenon that has developed sand dunes, which keep the beach very shallow and warm, and that makes it a perfect family getaway with children.

Sauble Beach is endless for the activities such as swimming, windsurfing, water-skiing, tennis, beach volleyball and etc. Sauble Beach is also very popular among the cottage owners and renters, to accommodate a lot of people, Sauble beach is filled with local business that provide great food, restaurants, hotels, daycare and a medical clinic. Many restaurants on Sauble Beach provide free high-speed internet connection, so even if you are on vacation, you can always stay connected.

Website: http://www.saublebeach.com/

Price: Free

7. Enjoy the spirit of Tobermory village

Tobermory village is a small community (local population – 500 residents) that is located at the top point of Bruce Peninsula. The village itself is very popular tourist attraction – there are a lot of restaurants and cafes (popular dish is the local white fish), beautiful harbor with many private and tour boats, cozy motels and Bed & Breakfast cottages.

The lives and activities of Tobermory’s residents have always centered on boats and the two, fine harbors of Big Tub and Little Tub. Its strategic location has made Tobermory a port of refuge for canoe, mackinaw boat, schooner, steamer and yacht. The harbors have also provided an ideal base of operations to fleets of fishing tugs, the Manitoulin car ferries, guide boats, dive tugs and tour boats. At the beginning of past century during the boom of logs cut, there were 3 sawmills operating in Tobermory. In 1930s, the focus switched to guide boats and eventually it became one of the main tourist destinations in Ontario.

There are a lot of restaurants and cafes in Tobermory. Popular dish around the village is the local white fish. There is also a wide range of local accommodations such as hotels, cottages, Bed & Breakfasts and campgrounds. In general, Tobermory is a perfect getaway spot for families, photographers, divers, hikers and everyone who loves beautiful nature.

Website: http://www.tobermory.org/public/jpage/1/p/Home/content.do

8. Camp at Sauble Falls Provincial Park

Sauble Falls Provincial Park is located in south part of Bruce Peninsula, in the lower base of Sauble River. The park is divided in campgrounds, the side on the west is a quiet site, while the east side is not, and perfect for group camping. The park is also great because you don’t necessarily need to camp there, as you can just enjoy Sauble Falls.

During spring and fall the area is perfect for fishing enthusiasts as Rainbow Trout and Chinook salmon are popular fish in the Sauble Fall. In the summer people tend to do a lot of water activities around the park, such as water rafting and cliff jumping.

Website: http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/saub.html

Price: Camp site rentals are usually from $25.75 to $40.00 depending if the site has electricity or not.

9. Ride a Mountain Bike at Adventure park

For adventurous mountain bikers, Bruce Peninsula can offer Mountain Bike Adventure Park – the Eastern Canada’s first legal free-ride mountain bike park. The park is located just north of Wiarton. The park has over 20 km of trails and it features rock drops, skinnys, suspension bridges, teeter totters and dirt jumps. The trails also vary by difficulty levels, so this makes the park appealing to all kind of riders. Admission to the park is FREE!

If you are more into recreational biking, you can still enjoy on many paths around Tobermory and if you don’t have a bicycle, it is not a problem since there are rentals available right in Tobermory.

Website: http://www.mtbthebruce.com/

Price: Bicycle Rent is around $15.50 to $23.50 per day of biking.

10. Visit Neyaashiinigaamiing First Nations reserve

Neyaashiinigaamiing or in other words Cape Croker is the name of the reserve located just north of Wiarton. A First Nations community that still lives there is big part of Bruce Peninsula and its history, as they have lived there for centuries.

Neyaashiinigaamiing is surrounded by Georgian Bay and the Niagara Escarpment, so the scenery is incredible. The area is saturated with exotic plants and wildlife, and of course the native community. While visiting you can check out the trails that take you through the reserve, you can also purchase souvenirs and learn a lot about Bruce Peninsula and its First Nations history.

Website: http://www.capecrokerpark.com

11. Explore Bruce’s Caves

Bruce’s Caves Conservation Area is located 4.8km northeast of Wiarton. The conservation area is almost 7 hectares in size; it consists of Niagara Escarpment, rock talus, upland hardwoods, wooded swamp and caves.

The main cave has a 20 m high portal with a stone pillar in the entrance. The caves are significant in that they dramatically illustrate ancient weathering processes and the magnitude of post-glacial lake levels created 7,000 to 8,000 years ago. The caves are for you to enjoy for free, parking is also available nearby.

Website: http://www.brucegreytrails.com/trail.php?Trail=15

Price: Free

Exploring Snowdon’s Arm: Ten Places To Visit On The Llyn Peninsula

In early times the mountains of the Llyn Peninsula – a chain of long-extinct volcanoes – provided shelter from the elements and protection from invaders. With the passing of time the threat of invasion has passed, but the Llyn Peninsula’s landscape and position have since provided protection for one of the region’s most valuable assets: the Welsh language. Over 80% of the Llyn Peninsula’s population still use Welsh in everyday communication, making this region one of the most Welsh-speaking in Wales.

The language, the dramatic landscape, the myths and legends, the sense of community and ancient traditions… all these things give the Llyn Peninsula its unique personality, a big attraction to travellers in search of the “real” Wales.

To get you started, here are ten spots on the Llyn Peninsula that you won’t want to miss.

1.  Porthdinllaen

It’s hard to believe that this tiny village, set on a sheltered, sandy, crescent-shape beach, was once one of the busiest ports in North Wales, almost chosen as the ferry crossing port to Ireland. To get to Porthdinllaen, walk along the beach or through the golf course. Soak up the amazing views and enjoy a pint at the T? Coch Inn right there on the beach.

2. Trefor

Bypassed by the main road, Trefor – at the foot of Yr Eifl – is easy to get to but often overlooked by tourists. The quarry on the mountainside – whose granite paves streets all over the world – looks down over the village, which was purpose-built in the 1800s to house quarrymen. Trefor’s sand and pebble beach offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and its small harbour and slipway are ideal for launching small boats.

3. Tre’r Ceiri

On the other side of Yr Eifl, on its easternmost peak, is the Iron Age hill fort Tre’r Ceiri. “The most impressive and dramatic of all British hill forts,” says archaeologist James Dyer, who’s probably seen a few. The site is surrounded by a defensive wall, three metres high in places, protecting the remains of 150 circular stone huts. The views are amazing; on a clear day you’ll see the Preseli Hills in South Wales and the Wicklow Hills in Ireland.

4. Nefyn

Ancient fishing town which hosted King Edward I’s celebrations after his 1284 conquest of Wales. According to tradition, there were so many revellers at the feast, the floor collapsed under their weight. The town predates Edward by several centuries, evidenced by remains of a motte-and-bailey castle and later tower, which overlook the town. Herring was once Nefyn’s main produce; a local saying is that Nefyn herrings have backs like farmers and bellies like publicans!

5. Morfa Nefyn

Morfa Nefyn is home to one of the UK’s most famous and picturesque golf courses, which provides access to the beach at Porthdinllaen. Morfa Nefyn’s other famous feature is The Cliffs, a cliff-top restaurant renowned far and wide for its beautiful sunset views and delicious gratin of locally-caught crab.

6. Criccieth

Criccieth is a charming seaside town with medieval roots, dominated by its castle which juts out over the sea between two sandy beaches. Excellent selection of little shops, pubs and restaurants, and home to Cadwalader’s high quality ice cream that’s been made in Criccieth from a secret recipe since 1927.

7. Pwllheli

This old market town was granted the Royal Charter by the Black Prince in 1355 in recognition of its trading importance. A former fishing port and shipbuilding centre, Pwllheli is now a popular seaside resort which boasts the biggest, most modern marina in Wales. Great for traditional seaside treats like chips, ice cream and amusements, but also for boat trips – look out for seals and dolphins, often seen in the waters off Pwllheli.

8. Abersoch

The sandy beaches of Abersoch – a popular watersports resort – are separated by a sheltering headland. Abersoch has risen from quiet fishing village to major yacht harbour, whose main focus is its yacht club. There’s also a hovercraft centre, pony trekking and an activity park with a maze, and the village is a base for six circular walks ranging from under a mile to over nine miles.

9. Aberdaron

Historic, picturesque fishing village, the last stop for medieval pilgrims en route to Bardsey. Aberdaron has its roots in the Age of Saints, the site of the original 6th century church now occupied by its 15th century successor. One of the oldest buildings in Aberdaron is a cafe – Y Gegin Fawr – which was built around 1300 for the refreshment of pilgrims. To make your own pilgrimage to Bardsey, hop on a boat at Porth Meudwy.

10. Bardsey

The whole of Bardsey Island – Ynys Enlli in Welsh – is a nature reserve. Medieval Rome decreed that three pilgrimages to Bardsey equalled one to Rome, and it’s claimed that 20,000 saints are buried there. Bardsey’s monastery was founded in 515AD by the Breton-born missionary, Cadfan. As well as its rich variety of wildlife, Bardsey is home to the rarest apple in the world – Afal Enlli – which was grown in a monastery orchard on the island a thousand years ago.

Upper Peninsula Summer 2008

Waterfalls & family

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan: A Different World

An official welcome to the UP and a hearty hello from all of the Yupers. Go to Paradise, twice. Paradise is at the junction of M123 and the road which goes to Whitefish Point, the Graveyard of the Great Lakes. Many ships, including the great Edmund Fitzgerald, lay at the bottom of Kitchee Gummee, Lake Superior. They sank either from sheer stupidity, i.e., running into each other, or from the gale force storms, which are common on this greatest of all the Great Lakes. Put all of the water from Lake Superior on the USA and you will cover it to a depth of five feet.

At Whitefish Point is the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum seems to be a reverential memorial to the ships and men who gave their lives to the great waters. A hushed atmosphere surrounds the exhibits depicting the stories of some of the wrecks and some of the salvaged artifacts from the ships. The bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald centers as the place of honor, memorializing the men who lay at the bottom of the lake.. In another building a video shows the fateful tale of this mightiest ship to ever sail the Great Lakes.

The tour also includes the lighthouse keepers quarters, where for ten dollars a month, he and his family lived in total isolation tending the flame of the light and rescuing the sailors shipwrecked on the shores. This area was called the Alcatraz of the Lighthouse Service, because the keepers of the flame were effectively cut off from the rest of the world for much of the year.

Return to Paradise. Doesn’t that sound neat? Off to Tahquamenon Falls: Upper and Lower. The lower falls is really two steep rapids separated by an island. The upper falls, four miles down the road, is two hundred feet wide and fifty feet in height. It is the second highest falls east of the Mississippi.  Guess which one is the largest? Paved trails take you to the falls and ninety-four steps lead to the summit of the upper falls. When you reach your journey back to the parking lot, dripping with perspiration, legs wobbling from exertion, you are greeted by a microbrewery with restaurant. All sing the Hallelujah Chorus. On tap is a stout, an amber ale, and a blueberry ale. The stout is especially memorable.

Take a circle tour to Grand Marais on Lake Superior. Drive along a unpaved road on the shore of Superior, come across the North Country Scenic Hiking Trail, which extends from Vermont to North Dakota, linking up with the Lewis and Clark Trail. Grand Marais is a picturesque fishing village at the Eastern terminus of Pictured Rock State Park. Five miles from town is the Sable Falls. Over one hundred fifty steps take you to the bottom of these falls, which have suffered with an abundance detritus from the harsh spring.

Munising, MI is the port which offers two different boat tours on Lake Superior. One explores the sunken ships in the area via a glass bottomed boat. The other is a two and a half hour cruise along the Pictured Rocks State Park on the northern shore of Lake Superior. On a 90 plus degree day, a rarity in the UP, you will be very comfortable on Lake Superior, which averages a water temperature of between 38 and 44 degrees. The geological formations and variegated colors of the rock strata is the result of both wind and water erosion and the loss of over three hundred feet of water depth over the eons. After the trip on the lake go see one of the formations up close from land. Go to Miner’s Castle. You will not be disappointed by the shore view.

Drive through Marquette, Negaunee and Ishpeming to Van Riper State Park on Lake Michigamme. This is moose country. However, the moose, at this time, were keeping cool in the swampy areas of the region. Smart Moose.

Leave early for Copper Country, the Keweenaw Peninsula of the UP. There is a campground in Hancock, MI, located on a canal which separates part of the peninsula (island) from the mainland.

Tour the Quincy Mine. The Number two shaft building and the hoist house dominate the hillside overlooking Hancock and Houghton. For over one hundred years, this mine produced millions of tons of copper. There are ninety-two levels to the mine reaching the depth of over nine thousand feet. To take the tour of level seven, the only one open to the public, you take a short ride on the only cog wheel tram in the Midwest. This goes down the hillside at a thirty-seven degree incline. It feels like you are on a roller coaster descending the first hill in slow motion.

When you reach the correct level, the temperature drops thirty degrees from the cold air being expelled through the adit (the horizontal mine entrance). You are given coats and hardhats to wear as you board a tractor driven wagon into the mine. From the 1840s through the 1960s there were hundreds of mines stretching from Copper Harbor to Ontonagon. Very few made any money. Most were closed down because of the fall in copper prices after the World Wars. The wages were pitiful, $1.00 to $2.00 per day for 10 hour days work. Some of the conditions and wages improved, because of violent strikes in the 1910s and later. Nevertheless, being a copper minor was hard, back breaking,   work, its fringe benefits were outstanding though. There was blindness, deafness, and early death due to the old standbys such as falling down an open mine shaft if you tripped. And another great company perk was free housing as long as you lived–of course if you died your wife and kids had 30 days to ship out or marry someone else. Ah yes, the romance of being a miner.

Imagine working in total darkness with only a candle on your hard hat (felt soaked in resin). From the 1840s up to the invention of the power drill around the beginning of the 20th century. The men worked in three man teams: one held the four foot drill, while the other two hit it with eight pound sledge hammers at a rate of one swing per second. After each swing the holder would make a quarter turn on the drill. If he grew tired he used hand signals to stop the swinging. This was to place his thumb over the edge of the drill; the area being struck. You did not leave the mine for any reason until the end of your shift or else you were not paid for the day. You had to provide your own tools, including candles and drill bits. If your candle went out, which happened frequently because of air currents in the mine or water dripping, you just sat there until found. Only the fool walked in a totally dark mine. There were open shafts, low ceilings, and passages leading to other levels and areas of the mine.

Wen you are in UP, you have to try the pasties.  They are meat pies brought by the Cornish miners to the area.  They can be found anywhere in the UP.  What a great meal!

Drive the spine of copper country. Stop at the Mining museum at Calumet. The Calumet and Hecla Mining Company was one of the largest on the peninsular. Calumet is still a relatively thriving town, even though the mines have long been closed. Many of the old buildings are being used for other purposes, such as education, storage, etc.

On December 24th 1913, a disaster took place at the Italian Society Hall. During a deadlocked and vicious strike a Christmas Party for the wives and children was being held at the hall. Someone yelled “Fire” and panic ensued. Even though this occurred ten years after the infamous Iroquois Theater fire in Chicago, the doors to the upstairs hall sill opened inwards. Over eighty women and children were trampled to death in this incident. There was no fire. The building is long gone and grave locations are unknown, but the memory lingers on. Ironically, there are still many public buildings still with doors which open inward.

Just down the street from Calumet is a small town of Laurium. Some of the wealthy mine owners built their homes in this town. The Laurium Manor is a B & B by night and a museum by day. The mansion has 45 rooms and boasts a 1,300 square foot ballroom on the third floor. Just down the street is the Victorian B & B, an equally impressive mansion. Such wealth amid such poverty.

Continuing North on US 41 are town after town sprung up because of the mining industry. They are reminders of an era long past. At the northern terminus of Rte.41 is Copper Harbor, the ferry dock for Isle Royale National Park, fifty miles in Lake Superior. The State of Michigan also operates Fort Wilkins State Park. Fort Wilkins was built in 1844 to keep the peace among the miners, after the land was ceded by the Chippewa Nation to the USA. Copper was always known to be in the area, but now “we” could get our hands on it legally. The Native Americans had been mining the pretty metal for thousands of years. Everyone knew it existed, but not in such great abundance. In the State Park are numerous shafts going down over 125 feet, dug by the miners who came in the 1840s.

Found out a new word today: sutler. A sutler is a store in a fort which carries nonmilitary articles, such as tobacco, alcohol, playing cards and other amusements, like today’s PX. This was different from the quartermaster’s store where only military supplies could be gotten.

Drive to the top of Brockway Mountain. This is 735 feet above Lake Superior with views on a clear day as far away as Isle Royale. The CCC during the depression erected the stone walls along the road. They are a marvel of engineering.

There are many other side trips to take in Keweenaw County: Delaware Mine Tour, Eagle Harbor and Lighthouse, Copper Harbor Lighthouse, Mandan Ghost town (named after the Mandan Indian tribe who were fair haired and blue eyed—some say descended from the Welsh).

On the way back to Hancock, take the mandatory stop at Gay, MI. A smoke stack is the only remaining symbol of the copper stamping plant which was there. Gay has one bar, appropriately called “Gay Bar”. If it wasn’t for the name, the bar would be just one of the local dives you find in any small town. What makes this so unique is the name and Yuper is spoken there. Yuper is more a frame of mind rather than a language. Sit back and enjoy the atmosphere. It is well worth the $2.00 for the beer.

Stop at Adventure Mine for an underground tour. This is different than the ones at Quincy or Delaware Mine. What made this interesting is that the mine tour went from one side of the mountain to the other side. On this side was an overlook of the countryside. To the right was a manmade cave. Native Americans mined for copper at this spot. Archeologists date the excavation to be more than 7,000 years old. Lake Superior was six hundred feet higher then and this area was a island. The archeologists found stone hammers under the slag pile. These hammers were rounded and formed to fit the hands of either right or left handed people. The stone is not native to the area, but is found in Northern Canada.

Visit the Restoration Project at the Victoria Mines. This is near Rockland, MI, once the second largest town in the UP. The project consists of five two story houses which bunked twenty four men at a time. They slept in shifts. Wives did the cooking, laundry, etc.

Top Ten Things To Do On Your Bruce Peninsula Cottage Rental Vacation

Are you planning a vacation in Bruce Peninsula? Well you have made a great choice as the place offers rich land and water experiences. Get a Bruce Peninsula cottage rental and spend your vacation amid the best attractions of nature. Here we are providing the list of top then things that you can do in Bruce Peninsula.

Enjoying beach activities:
Bruce County covers more than thousand kilometers of shoreline and it features beach for every preference. The shorelines of Sauble beach and Lake Huron feature volleyball courts and you can definitely try your hands out there. Also get some amazing beach experiences on the Georgian Bay shoreline and Indian Head Cove.

Take on boat tours:
The boat tours in Bruce Peninsula are very engaging. Water covers three sides of Bruce Peninsula and hence it gives perfect opportunity for the boaters. Enjoy boating, sailing and kayaking to the maximum and explore the beauty of nature.

Canoeing and Kayaking:
Visit the interior section of Ontario’s Natural Retreat by taking up the thrilling adventure of canoeing and kayaking. There are several routes for paddling and the best part is that there is something for every skill levels. Enjoy kayaking on rivers, lakes or sea; Ontario’s Natural Retreat is a place to be.

Enjoy birding:
The location of Bruce Peninsula is favorable for different bird species as it is situated on northern migration route. You can enjoy birding at its best as numerous beautiful birds travel along the shorelines from the northern tip to the southern point all year round.

Diversity of fishing:
Wide range of fishing experiences can be enjoyed in the Bruce Peninsula. You can try fishing in small lakes, big lakes, rivers or take on fly fishing. In fact, annual fishing derbies are hosted in this place and the winners are provided with great prizes.

Fly Fishing:
During your vacation in Bruce Peninsula, definitely make point to visit the province of Saugeen River in Southern Ontario. There are numerous pools that combine with slight angling pressure making it a perfect destination to enjoy fly fishing.

Take on golfing:
If you are a golf lover, you can test your skills here quite well. Bruce Province is home to some sixteen golf courses that are spread across Kincardine to Tobermory. If you are not a golfer, then also you can take proper lessons by taking up memberships in the golf clubs.

Hiking at its best:
In the Bruce County, there are more than 1,500 kilometers of combined trail system that can satisfy hikers of any level. Greig’s scenic caves, Saugeen rail trail and Kincardine trails are some of the best hiking destinations. During winters, most of the trails provide amazing conditions for snowshoeing and cross country skiing also.

Thrill of scuba diving:
Visit Fathom Five, which is the first National Marine Park in Canada. Here you will find several historical ship wrecks that are perfect for scuba diving. Some of the best diving service providers in Bruce peninsula include Divers Den Scuba Charters and Rentals in Tobermory, Flowerpot Island in Tobermory, G&S Watersports in Tobermory, Tobermory Maritime Association in Tobermory and Groundhog Divers in Port Elgin.

Around the Gaspé Peninsula

We took the ferry across the St. Lawrence River to Matane and parked overnight on the dock.  We woke up the next morning. Happy Canada Day. Unhappy fog bank. We made an early departure; the other trailers had already left. After driving for about an hour in a pea soup fog, we pulled off into a rest area. We couldnâ??t see anything. Why drive in a fog? We werenâ??t in any hurry. Back to bed we went for a nap. When we woke up, about an hour later, we could see clearly, because the fog had lifted. We were greeted by over one hundred windmills. They were of the modern type, with three sixty foot sails. They were the Aeolian Project, begun in 1988 to harness wind power for producing electricity. Ironically they are located at Cap Chat (Cat Cape). Morgana was still recovering from her sea experience and missed it all. She was asleep.  (I doubt she would have been impressed. You know how cats are!)

Traveled along the Northern coast of the Gaspe. The road hugs the shoreline, while the mountains rise over three thousand feet from the coast. Each village and hamlet was in its own little cove, where the waters for the rivers and the road dipped down to it in deference. The sky was partly cloudy, with the clouds sometimes wreathing the mountains. Sometimes we were below, sometimes within, and other times over the clouds. The vistas were ever changing. With little traffic on the road, we were able to enjoy them without feeling rushed.

Drove through the town of Gaspe, at which Jacques Cartier landed in 1534. The name comes from the Micmac language meaning “end of the land”. Our goal was the Tete dâ??Indien Campground twenty miles further down the road. We were overwhelmed when we arrived there. We had no reservations, but they had ample room for us. Not only that, they spoke impeccable English. The owner, Dan Rose, was a teacher for over forty years in Findley, Ohio and fell in love with the area. He built this campground with the motto of, “We take care of our campers.” That is an understatement. Albeit small, eighteen full service sites and fourteen tent sites.  We were given a map and pointed to the ones which were available. We were also told that if we needed help in parking he would have someone do it for us. After we were situated we went back to the office and were give the red carpet treatment. We were given a welcome package with shampoo, soap, and numerous sightseeing pamphlets. We were told where to go for the best fish buys, the restaurants in the area, where to find groceries, and the major attractions in the area. We were given a booklet with many little known tips, e.g. , on which side of the boat to sit when traveling to Bonaventure Island, for which they sold discount tickets. The campground is right on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They have bocce ball, volleyball, horseshoes, hiking trails, playground and an extensive beach for picking up driftwood, agates, and shells. The campground is so named for the rock formation of the Indian Head, which resembles some of the Easter Island statues. Of course it has a legend. The white men came and took away a beautiful maiden with them. Her beau was saddened and continues to face away from the sea, hoping that she will someday come back to him.  This is a very recent legend, because it was Dan who first recognized the effigy.  No one else had noticed it previously.  It’s his legend and he’s sticking to it.  Dan has since sold the campground and it is under new management.

We left for the sea food store, approximately three miles down the road. We purchased some scallops and fresh Atlantic Salmon. We were also shown the many lobsters and snow crabs kept in holding tanks. They are caught right off shore. You can see the buoys for the traps all along the bays. We decided that we would order a lobster for later in our stay. They even cooked them there. That night we had the scallops, which were delicious.

We woke up to a beautifully sunny day. We wanted to go to Perce (pronounced per se) and see the most famous rock in Canada. Perce is the furthest East on the Gaspe Peninsula. The rock can be approached at low tide via a causeway. The rock from certain angles gives the appearance of a horse taking a drink from the water. When we arrived, it seemed that all of Provence Quebec had the same idea. The area was crowded. Off to the rock we went. When we got to one point, we would have to take off our shoes and go into calf high water to reach the famous hole. We declined and returned to shore. We had purchased tickets for Bonaventure Island.

Bonaventure Island is a Provincial Park and breeding ground for over two hundred fifty thousand birds, of which eighty thousand are Northern Gannets, having six foot wing spans. According to the pamphlet we received, we sat on the starboard, right, side of the boat. Every inch of the cliff and rocks were covered by birds. Of course there were the gannets, but also cormorants, puffins, and sea gulls. Grey seals cavorted in the waters chowing down on the seafood buffet. After the trip around the island, the boat stops at the wharf and allows you to explore the park. At one time a colony of over one hundred people farmed the island. Most were from the Island of Jersey.

A series of four trails crisscross the island. We took the “les colones” one, the shortest in time, but one that ascended the high island. The trip to the other side and the gannet colony took forty-five minutes. When we got to the colony, we were greeted by sense surround. The noise, sights and smells were amazing. It was much more than the Discovery Channel or National Geographic could present. Thousands of gannets were crowded on this small piece of land. They were involved is all sorts of activities: greeting their mates, foreplay, copulation, defending their territory, take offs and landings. The most funny were the landings. They might be graceful in the air and can dive thirty feet into the water, but when they try to land on terra firma they put on a show. One even landed head first. We thought that his head would disappear into the ground. But he shook it all off, as if to say, “I meant to do that.”

We traveled the twenty eight miles to the town of Gaspe. The Micmac Indian Tribe has a museum just outside of town showing their way of life. They are masters at using birch bark, not only for their canoes, but also for their dwellings, basketry and arts. The Micmacs lived in most of the Maritime Provinces of Canada. They were nomadic, but returned to the same areas different times of the year. In early spring they tapped the maple trees for syrup and sugar. They stored this underground for use throughout the year. Other times they were hunters and gatherers, using all the parts of the animals and plants. They most probably grew corn, because they used it as a leavening agent for their pan fried bread.

Tonight we had the lobster dinner. For thirty dollars, Canadian, we had a four pound male lobster, already cooked. The females had been shipped off for white slavery the day before. They are prized for their delicious eggs throughout their body. I forgot how wonderful fresh lobster tasted. Most of the lobster I have had was tough and tasteless. Every morsel of this one was tender and flavorful. Butter wasnâ??t even necessary. Mags worked on the tail and I tackled the rest. There was so much meat, the we ate only half of it. Looking forward for leftovers.

Sad to say, we left Tete dâ??Indien and drove the Southern shore of the Gaspe. The land on this side is more rolling and conducive for farming and resorts with sandy beaches. There are not many attractions on this side, except the sun and surf. One important Naval Battle occurred at Pointe de la Croix. During the final days of the Seven Years War, AKA the French and Indian War in the Colonies, after the fall of Quebec, the French sent six ships with supplies for the remaining French soldiers. Only three made it across the Atlantic. There they met the British Navy and were subsequently destroyed.

The French settlers, Acadians, were dispersed, their lands confiscated. All along the Eastern shore of New Brunswick, their heritage continues, French being the primary language spoken. We pulled into an empty parking lot in Bathhurst and dry camped for the night.