Well we did make it home before the weather changed.
This is our deck three days after returning from our camping trip.
The trees are looking heavy with the snow.
El Campista with a small blanket of snow.
We did have another snow fall last weekend ( Dec 20th) but it has all gone again now, and supposedly we are going to have a "green" Christmas.
I think that will be the third one we have seen in 42 years.
Merry Christmas and a very Happy, Healthy New Year to you all.
Monday November 16th 2015.
Yes - you guessed right - Mac Gregor Point.
It appears Mother Nature is a true friend of ours right now. Another few sunny, but cool days a head of us.
Arrived at the park after another very quiet drive here, and bonus - # 52 was available again. Cannot believe our luck.
Took no time at all to get set up and be sitting outside with lunch.
We could hear the Chickadees but couldn't see them. They will be very happy later, as we did remember their sunflower seeds this trip.
About 2 p.m. we set out on our walk.
As you can see this Nuthatch was very happy to see us back here - with food!
As was the Chickadees.
Today at the Turtle Pond we did get to see a good sized turtle swimming along at a good speed. However it was going a bit quick to get the picture.
From there we went to Sunset Point and today the Lighthouse in Southampton was quite prominent in the distance.
There is always something different to see around here.
Like a plant growing through the rocks at the water's edge.
Although not sunset time the scene is still very good with the sun over the lake.
Then we made our way to the beach.
Once again it was all ours, and very peaceful.
Along the trail going towards Merganser Cove we came across a downed tree with a good amount of "shell" shaped fungi growing along it.
A little further along the trail the artists in the area had been busy at work, building what would represent a Tee Pee being built over a very large boulder.
This time we found a different trail leading us to Merganser Cove.
It was very damp and completely covered with leaves.
The cove was really clear and fairly calm.
Once again all the Mergansers had disappeared but we did see a frog, which took off very quickly.
From the cove we made our way to the small pond, where, we had seen a lot of turtles sunning themselves in the summer.
Today however, they were all hiding, regardless of the sunshine.
We wandered back along the very quiet beach area to the trail that leads us back to #52.
It had been a really good walk for a couple of hours.
We had seen 5 squirrels, a frog, a turtle, a flock of Chickadees and Nuthatches, a dog and 6 humans (if you count the nice lady who checked us in and took out money).
It cooled of very quickly late afternoon so the fire got going early too.
It remained very cool so we ate inside and spent the evening playing dominoes, which Mike began the Grand Champion of.
Tuesday November 17th 2015.
It was a bright sunny, very cool (+5 c) morning. A little cool to eat out, so cooked out and ate in.
Then it was time to hit the trails.
Started off on the Deer Run Trail. No deer anywhere to be seen again.
This portion of the trail had some large swamp type areas.
One tree looked as if it was as deep in the swamp as it was into the sky.
We managed to find a different trail we had not been on before. Part of the "Yellow" trail.
It was quite narrow and appeared not to have been used very often. The vegetation either side of the trail was as tall as we were.
Somewhere along the trail we lost our "yellow" markers, so we wandered aimlessly along what might have been the trail for some time.
Then we managed to get onto the park roadway, then the Deer Run Trail.
And finally, after a few hours we made it back to #52 and El Campista.
So time for some tea and a little relaxation before lunch.
A friendly Blue Jay stopped in for a visit and enjoyed the sunflower seeds.
After lunch we decided to walk the boardwalk to the Turtle Pond, where the Chickadees, Nuthatches, Blue Jays and Squirrels were very happy to us and enjoy their seeds again.
On the board walk just past the Turtle Pond we found another friend "Ricky" Raccoon.
This raccoon was completely oblivious of us being there for several minutes, then suddenly it sensed something odd. (Yes, it was us "odd" People).
So it turned and wandered into the bush area.
Slightly different to yesterday, a little more choppy due to the wind today.
We did see an Eagle soaring way above us at the Point. Just could not get the picture it was way too high.
When away from the actual Point and in a sheltered area the lake remained quite calm again.
I did manage to find another piece of driftwood.
With a little imagination it could resemble an animal face.
Just managed to get a shot of the sun beginning to set over Lake Huron.
Then back to our site to get the fire started. That was a difficult chore as the wind was very strong at that point and not helping at all.
It was quite cozy once the wind dropped a little and the fire got going, but it didn't last too long, so we spent the evening inside again.
And yes - Mike became the over all Champion of Dominoes this trip.
Wednesday November 18th 2015.
Had some rain through the night, but all completely dry this morning. Probably due to the 60 km hr southern winds we have right now. Lucky it is a southern wind and not so cold right now. The forecast is for chance of FLURRIES by the weekend.
Once again time to head home. It's been another really great camping trip, and may be the last one for this season. Unless we win the lottery of course, then we would be heading south to see Vince, Barb and Kayleigh. Wouldn't that be great?
Left the park about noon, usual stops along the way, then home.
Catch you all again soon.
Tuesday November 3rd 2015
It seems we have a few days of really good weather ahead of us, so we are on our way to Mac Gregor Point again. This is the only year round park that is open in our area, but we do enjoy it, so no problem for us to keep returning.
It is a bright sunny and warm day, 16c is very good for November. We will take it and enjoy it for as long as we can.
Once again a quiet drive to the park.
We took site #52. Never had this site before, and as it turned out - it was a great site. Another new favorite.
The back of this site is all trees. It is truly like camping in the woods.
Cannot believe we haven't had this site before.
After lunch we set off for our walk.
Took the road way to the Huron Fringe Trail.
Then along the Old Shore Line Trail.
Today I gave myself a photography project of drift wood.
There was a lot of fabulous drift wood here.
Then we made our way to Sunset point.
The point is becoming non-existent as the water level is getting a lot higher than what we are used to seeing.
However, it is still very pretty.
There was some really interesting looking driftwood along this side of the shore line.
The Chickadees and Nuthatches enjoyed following us to the Turtle Pond, but were not too happy with us as we had forgotten to bring their sunflower seeds.
The Turtle Pond was very calm and clear, but no turtles to be seen anywhere.
There were quite a few fish in the pond.
It was still a bright sunny warm afternoon.
From the Turtle pond we decided it was time to return to #52 for an afternoon cup of tea.
Late afternoon and the sun beginning to set, brought the cooler temperatures so we settled in and lit the campfire.
As with the last few camping evenings that is where we stayed for the rest of the evening.
It turned out this was a very dark part of the park, so the stars were in abundance and extremely bright.
Wednesday November 4th 2015.
Bright sunny start to the day. Very little wind so not even too cool, especially sitting in the sun.
Breakfast over meant it was time to plan the morning walk.
It was a great morning for a hike, still bright sunny and warm.
Regardless of the "summer" like weather the trail did take on the look that winter might just be around the corner.
So today's photo consignment is "Christmas Trees". There are so many growing along the edge of the trail all at different stages of growth.
It was quite interesting finding the different trees.
We headed into Huron Campsite via the trail next. And that really was looking like the Fall.
Next stop - Merganser Cove.
No white caps this trip. just cool clear blue water.
Then to the beach area.
You can see how clean and clear the Lake is today.
I found an addition to yesterday's project - more driftwood.
Back on the trail heading to our site we came across a "happy face" log.
We decided to just sit and enjoy the summer like weather for a whole before lunch. It seemed impossible for us to be sitting out in +20 c right next to Lake Huron in November.
No complaints though.
I managed to find some more "wood" pictures after lunch, right around our campsite.
Here is El Campista taken from the wooded area at the rear of our site.
We had a relaxing couple of hours enjoying the summer weather at #52 before heading out for our walk towards The Point.
Where the sky and lake we so blue.
We always enjoy this walk, and each time it looks different to the time before.
From there we took the trail and boardwalk to the Turtle Pond. It too was so blue, and again, like a mirror.
Time allowed us to head back to The Point for the beginning o the sun set.
Back at #52 Mike got the fire going while I prepared dinner, and as before that was our destination reached for today.
We have both really enjoyed today, perfect company, perfect weather and a great park.
Thursday November 5th 2015.
And once again it feels more like June than November. Another warm sunny start to our day.
Regardless of this divine Indian Summer (yes, we did already have some snow flakes around here to enable it to legally be an Indian Summer) we are heading home again today. Things to get done at home, plus the forecast is for Thunder storms starting over night. Wonder if that means our summer weather really may come to an end. Hopefully we can get back before December. But that is up to Mother Nature, however, she has been very kind recently so fingers crossed!
We took our time packing up. Did our usual stop in Port Elgin before a very easy relaxing "summer" drive back to Durham.
Hope to catch you all before Christmas.
