The weather sounds pretty good for the next few days so we packed up and decided to head to The Pinery Provincial Park in Grand Bend, Ontario. We have never been there before so we were both looking forward to it.
Very misty start to the day, but the forecast was for sunshine by mid day and +10c. Sounded pretty good to us for November.
Although it remained misty, even foggy in some places, the drive to Grand Bend was quite nice. 167 km from Durham.
We arrived at the park about 1.45 pm, drove around the camp grounds and straight out of the park. The Pinery certainly was not a place we would ever enjoy. The sites were very small. If you owned a trailer and pulled it with a pick up truck you would have to park both vehicles side by side and probably open your trailer door and step into your fire pit! We think you would be able to tap on your neighbours window or door without even leaving your own site. No thank you.
Only one thing left to do - you got it. Head back to Mac Gregor, where the sites are very large and have lots of privacy. What a waste of time and gas. Only good thing is we now know that we will not be going to the Pinery.
There was a lot of construction along Highway 21, but we made it to Mac Gregor before the office closed for the evening. Still quite misty, but not as bad as this morning.
Took site #69. 4.00 p.m. 306037. So today it took us almost 5 hours and 317 km to do a 45 minute drive from Durham. Win some - lose some - right.
All set and sitting around the camp fire by 5.00 p.m.. Not a total waste of a day in the end. Our little dining room worked very well. BBQ supper out there again.
Relaxing evening, after a very different day.
FRIDAY 25th November - Yes one month to Christmas!
Today the sun was shining and it was great to be here camping again. Had a nice BBQ ham and eggs for breakfast, then all cleared away ready for the trails.
Decided to hike the Old Shore Road Trail this morning. A great morning to be out on the trails.
This is the longest trail here, if you do the whole thing. Not sure if we will manage that.
Quite a few white caps on the lake today, mainly due to the 50 km winds. It certainly took away most of the seagulls. But what a beautiful day.
Made it along the Shore Line to the beach area.
It was extremely quiet and peaceful there, and for a while the wind died down some.
The plan we made was to head towards Merganser cove and then decide from there.
We hadn't done this part of the trail for some time so Hiker Mike checked the map, we did not want to get lost out here.
We just wandered along the Old Shore Road Trail, still heading to Merganser Cove. Came across No Man's Pond. We had never been here before. Very pretty area, with boardwalks around the pond.
We made it to Merganser Cove. It was very calm and peaceful, and other than ourselves, there was no one to be seen.
Still nice and warm for November + 15c.
Followed the trail along the side of the stream and into Huron Camp Ground then through to The Deer Run Trail and eventually back to our camp. This was a welcome sight as we had been hiking for three hours ad covered + 20 km. Very interesting hike as there were parts of the trails we had never done before.
You can still see the downed trees from the storms along The Deer Run Trail.
After lunch we relaxed at our site until
mid - afternoon when we decided it was time to go to the Turtle Pond and feed the Chick-a-Dees. They were very happy to see us.
Even the Blue Jays were happy to see us.
We followed The Huron Fringe Trail and about 3 feet from us a White Tailed Deer wandered out of the bush area, not at all bothered by us being there. Now guess what? We did not have the camera turned on, so just enjoyed the moment.
Lit a great camp fire when we got back, and sat around that until it was time for BBQ in our dining room, about 7.00 p.m.
Played dominoes again before bed. Mike won again!
Night Night.
SATURDAY 26 November 2011, 306037
Cloudy start to the day, but not cold, + 8c.
After breakfast we started packing up. Would rather stay, but things to do, and the weather is supposed to change later today, possible snow flurries by Sunday.
All packed and ready to leave about 1.00 p.m.
Took ride into Port Elgin, then Owen Sound. Stopped for a late lunch at Montana's. Very Good! And a nice way to end the trip. 306142
Catch you next time, may not be until 2012, but we will be back.
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