Manitoulin Island Trip - August
1 - 4, 2003
By Linda Pennock
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(Chapter Directors Note: The
following is an account of a trip Toronto Wings Chapter spent
together on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, Canada during the first
long weekend of August 2003. Toronto Wings members Linda Pinnock and
Rose Ruprecht wrote this chronicle of events to let everyone know
how much we enjoyed the trip. Weekends like this demonstrate how
“Destination Friendship” is predominant within Toronto Wings and
GWTA. We all shared the laughter, the sights and experiences the
weekend had to offer.
Kevin Welch
Chapter
Director)
My trip to the island
exceeded all my expectations. We left on a Friday at 6:30 am with
our bikes loaded and our hopes for good weather high in spite of a
forecast indicating a wet weekend. We arrived at the ferry in
Tobermory at 10:50 am having survived the fog only to be told “there
was no way you are getting on the 11 am ferry”. We were assured by a
certain member of our group that “there is always room for bikes on
the ferry”. We decided to wait until 11:00 am before exploring
Tobermory. After all we still might get on. Suddenly we heard the
call from above ….. “Lets go ……the bikes”. Quickly we paid for our
passage and with a smile on our faces we motored up to the ferry, to
tie our bikes down on the deck.
Once on the island (with rain
still threatening) we started our ride to Little Current. Our first
stop was at the 10 Mile Lookout. There we could start our all
important shopping. We still experienced some fog as we took in the
views from the very high vantage point this rest stop offers.
We continued our ride to Little Current.
Upon arriving we sought out our accommodations. Most of our group
was staying at the Wagon Wheel Motel. The rest of us rented a
cottage on the other side of this quaint town. Little Current was so
small that we were a mere 2 minutes away from each other on the
bikes.
Friday night we decided to eat
at the Town Legion which held its annual Steak Barbeque. With our
local guides (Gary & Sandra) accompanying us, we enjoyed the
hospitality of the town with a steak, baked potatoes, salad and all
the fixings. After eating we needed a little exercise, so we went
into town along the waterfront. The air was fresh and warm with the
local band playing on the waterfront for our entertainment, as well
as great views of the harbor and the Swing Bridge. The swing bridge
is the islands only fixed link to the mainland. As the name Swing
Bridge implies: the bridge rotates 90o to the road, thereby allowing
boat passage on either side of the open bridge. Friday night we all
crashed early, as the 6:30 am departure took its toll on the
group.
On Saturday we were to meet at 10 am
to embark on our first adventure across the island. Trying to get
this group out for 10 am is quite an undertaking. As you might have
gathered it took us a little longer to get going. Some early birds,
however, did get up early, to do some yard sales, then tank up the
bikes and were ready to go. At 10:40 am we departed for Providence
Bay lead by a local Gold Wing rider and our guide for the weekend,
Gary Buzwah who is a good friend of our Chapter Director Kevin
Welch.
In Providence Bay we explored
the interpretative center and the boardwalk along the Bay. The
threatening rain held off. The lovely sandy beach was a little cool
for the August long weekend, but there were a few brave souls who
ventured into the water for a swim. Mind you we chose not to take
the water plunge and simply watched the people enjoy themselves in
the water.
Our next destination on route
was the all important lunch stop at “MUMS” in the town of Mindemoya.
This establishment came highly recommended by our local guides, and
well deserved! The group ordered quickly and received large portions
and excellent food. Only a few had room for dessert after the
fulfilling meal.
Our final destination
before returning to Little Current was to Wikwemikong to take in the
annual First Nation POW WOW. We guess the natives were not doing a
rain dance since the sun made its first appearance. We had many
photo opportunities with the First Nation people as they prepared to
partake in the various age group competitions. Their costumes were
covered with beautiful feathers, beadwork and color. They
demonstrated agility, stamina and footwork as they preformed before
the judges.
There were many vendors at the
POW WOW selling native craft. It was too bad we were all full from
having eaten at MUM’s so we were unable to sample the variety of
native foods. That would come at another time.
Upon returning to Little
Current everyone was still full so we skipped supper. What was that
motto.... Ride to Eat , Eat to Ride? So instead we snacked a bit and
went to bed early again.
We departed Sunday at 9:00 am
for a hiking trail called the Cup and Saucer just outside of Cold
Springs. This hiking trail is part of the Niagara Escarpment. Most
of us spent over 2 hours hiking and enjoying the views and trails.
The bugs were not a problem as we had lots of Deet. This hiking part
for me was a highlight. The scenery was breath taking and that was
not only due to the hike up the blue trail (way to go Nedda). My
favorite part was the “adventure trail”. This really is not for the
faint of heart. Down ladders, through crevices and tunnels we made
our way getting a little sweaty and
dirty.
After transcending the escarpment
and getting dehydrated, we proceeded to Gore Bay. We stopped at a
high vantage point which allowed us to view the Bay and its
surroundings. Then down to town for lunch at Twin Bluffs restaurant
so we could refuel our spent bodies from the great hike. At this
point, some of the more adventurous riders decided to ride to the
furthest westerly point of the island. A light house was located
there near Meldrum Bay. It could only be accessed along a 6 km
gravel road. The western part of the island is known for its deer as
there are no natural deer predators on the island. They saw 3 deer
and an eagle. They also were the only ones who got wet during our
whole trip on Manitoulin Island.
The
remainder of the group, after lunch, headed to Kagawong to view the
Bridal Veil Falls. As if the earlier hike was not enough, we went to
the base of the falls and were able to walk behind the falls. What a
great view looking out from behind the falls. Way to go BOB!
A trip to Manitoulin Island
would not be complete without a stop at the famous “Chocolate
Works”. We were told several times that this is the BEST place for
chocolate, and it is! There we sampled fudge and many kinds of
chocolate. Hmmmmmm!
Upon returning to
Little Current we were pleased to discover that the town folk were
throwing us a huge party. Ok ….Ok… it was for all the tourists not
just us the Toronto Gold Wing Chapter. Boy do they know how to throw
a party. A street party with music, more vendors, tons of food, and
a boat parade in which boats were completely covered in lights. To
finish it all off there was a grand fireworks display. I can only
say that HAWEATERS (those native to the island) really know how to
throw a party.
In closing I extend my thanks
to everyone there for making my first weekend bike trip such a fond
memory. It was an opportunity to bond with my Chapter buddies, which
included: Bill, Bob, Bruce, Kevin, Lynn, Nedda, Rose, Sy and
William. The diversity of our group and the Manitoulin Island
adventure brought us closer together. Hats off to Kevin Welch (our
chapter director for Toronto Wings) for organizing and making sure
all had a wonderful experience. See you all next year as I smell a
reunion in the works!
Behind the waterfall
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