Wednesday, 26 October 2016

#4: Manitoulin Island, Ontario

Megan's Beach Rating:

(Image provided by: http://jenniferjensen.com/2013/05/amazon-book-reviews-3-stars-or-4/)


Manitoulin Island is located on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay and is rich in First Native culture. It is the largest freshwater island in the world! (ManitoulinIsland.com, 2016). Therefore, since it is an island, I drove 7 hours North and then had to take about an hour ferry ride. "Lodges and cottages camps are found nearly everywhere, but they are especially attracted the shores of the large inland lakes" (Putnam, 1947). I stayed on the Lake Huron side at a campsite called Providence Bay, but explored two other villages in the centre of the island - Mindemoya and M'Chigeeng.
Image provided by Google Maps

Image provided by Google Maps

I am usually not one for camping, however this campsite was one of the better ones that I have visited. There were public washrooms for the campers - male and female - that were very clean. The showers never ran out of hot water and there were multiple stalls so you most likely never had to wait your turn. We visited end of August, but the weather made it felt more like mid-October. It was very cold and rainy, which was not ideal for camping.

The beach did not have white, soft sand. There was a decent amount of long tall grass and where there was sand, it was mostly covered in gunk that washed up from the lake. The water was VERY COLD and there was seaweed everywhere.
Image provided by: http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/North_America/Canada/Central/Ontario/Providence_Bay/photo737179.htm

Image provided by: http://www.manitoulin-island.com/providencebaypark/

The reason as to why Providence Bay gets my rating of a 4 star is because there is a long boardwalk that stretches along the shore with a cafe. I stopped here along the walk and had hot chocolate and listened to the live acoustic guitar performance. The atmosphere is very relaxed and genuine on this island, which is a nice change for people who are from a busy city. The fresh air and natural beauty makes up for its cold water.

Below is a short video to one of the breathtaking waterfalls I explored during my visit and you could actually walk behind the falls and swim in the lake:

Also, a link for anyone who wants to learn more about this serene island and other activities to do there: http://www.manitoulin-island.com/

Me in front of Bridal Veil Falls - Manitoulin Island, ON


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References:

1. [CanadianRoadDream]. (2012, June 17). Bridal Veil Falls, Kagawong, Manitoulin Island, Ontario. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_UKXxOuyYs

2. Manitoulin Island (n.d) Welcome to Manitoulin Island. Retrieved October 9, 2016 from http://www.manitoulin-island.com/.

3. Putnam, D. (1947). Manitoulin Island. Geographical Review, 37(4), 661. doi:1. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/stable/211191doi:1.

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