MAC GREGOR POINT

Wednesday October 18th 2017.                                                      166807

Fabulous looking day, although very windy.  Yes, it is that time of year when MacGregor Point is the place we camp, as there are not many parks open for camping at this time of year.

Due to our cool, wet summer,  and warm sunny fall, the leaves are falling from the trees, but not as colourful as usual.

Once again we were lucky enough to get our favorite #8 site.

All set up and having lunch by 12.15 p.m.

Luckily. although windy, the sun made it possible to sit outside and enjoy a wonderful fall day.    And that was where we stayed until about 2 p.m.   Then time to explore.

First stop, the Turtle Pond.    This time there was far more vegetation growing in the pond.    We do notice the pond looks different almost every visit.

There we no turtles or chickadees to be seen today.

Then on towards the Lake,  which,  due to the high wind,  was extremely choppy.

From there on to Sun Set Point.

The waves at Sun Set Point were so large, when they happened to break over one of the many rocks there it left a misty spray over the rock.   The wind was now blowing at

65 KPH.

 

                                                    The waves crashing on the rocks.

To get out of the wind we got on to The Old Shore Road Trail, which led us in to Nippising

Camp Ground, then on to the Deer Run Trail.   There were no deer today, just a few squirrels and a lone snake sunning itself.  The snake took off real quick when we arrived.   Not that I mind!

That lead us back to our camp ground, and that was where we spent the remainder of the day and night.

It was very windy all evening, but it did make for a very good campfire.

Thursday 19th October 2017

Nice bright sunny morning and not quite so windy.








This morning we decided to wander another section of The Deer Run Trail.

We could really see some of the fall colours here today.

Now the trail was covered in leaves.

There were not any deer,  but we did see two Grouse, a few squirrels and 4 humans.

This part of the trail takes us along what could have been a large farmland area many years ago.   You could see the remains of a stone wall, a large cedar fence and a huge apple orchard.  There were still apples there on the trees.

The weather was perfect for a hike like this,  and two hours went by real quick.

Made it back to #8 in time for a late lunch.  Then like yesterday we sat outside relaxing and enjoying the sunshine.

But the inevitable happened - itchy feet - time to walk again.

This time we did a shorter walk, starting  at, yes you guessed it - The Turtle Pond. 

The Chickadees were waiting for us today.

Along with the Nuthatch.

There were no Turtles.

From there we walked the Boardwalk around The Huron Fringe Trail. 

Usually this area is almost a swamp and water, and where we can hear and see lots of frogs.   Today, however, there was a tiny amount of water and a huge amount of vegetation, which was growing very thick.    So different to what we are used to seeing here.

And so we made our way back to our campsite.

As the sun began to set it got quite chilly.   Luckily the campfire worked as well as it did yesterday, so we were toasty warm sitting out around the fire all evening.

Another really great day.

Friday 20th October 2017.

Well, it's another great looking day, although quite cool this morning.   Not cold enough to eat inside, so breakfast was enjoyed outside again.

Today we head home.  We do have a lot left to finish around the house this weekend, as the weather forecast is for a very wet week ahead.

I know the yard will be covered with leaves, as it was bad enough when we left.

And so the Birthday Celebration draw to a close.  It's all been great.

                                                           --------------------------

As you all know it has taken me a while to get caught up with this blog, but unfortunately that was the last camping trip Mother Nature allowed us in 2017.

We have got a good deal of the work down around the house.  Including installing two new windows in the living room.   

So glad we managed to get that done (and we did it all ourselves)  as it kept us a lot warmer when the temps dropped to -33c and lower.

 

Now we are planning on this year, 2018, camping trips.   2017 gave us a lot of camping adventures, who knows what is in store for us in the coming year.   Fingers crossed it is all good.

Catch you then!

Tuesday October 17th.2017

Today is my birthday.  It's a real nice day too.  So Mike and I are cruising the local countryside.

First stop - Eugenia Falls.


The last time we were here there was hardly any water at the falls.

Due to the recent rainfalls, it is extremely pretty right now.

The ravine is very deep, and you cannot see the bottom.

It is almost like standing in the tree tops.

Back to the road and on to the next destination of the day.

Which will be Walters Falls.

We have never been to Walters Falls, so this is a new adventure for us.

As we pull into the parking lot it looks to be very impressive.

The "Gazebo" looked really inviting.

If you have never been here,  it seems it could be a neat place to explore.  There is a wonderful looking Inn - Walters Falls Inn.

First stop here for us was the Mill with the large water wheel.

Then on to the Falls.

                                          We could just see the bottom of this ravine here.

It was well worth the visit.   We will return.   Now, however, it is time to enjoy the countryside on the way back home.

Elijah, Natalie and Mario are joining us for dinner.   Too bad Vince, Barb and Kayleigh can't make it.

I got thoroughly spoilt, and it's been a great Birthday.   NOT over yet.   Mike and I are camping tomorrow to conclude the Birthday Celebrations.   Catch you there.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Niagara Falls  -  The start of my birthday celebrations - October 12th

              70 years!!!!



Cannot believe I am this old, well almost this old.   A few more days to go.   
But no complaints.
It's all been great fun.

So today we are celebrating at Niagara Falls with Natalie and Elijah.

My 70th Birthday Picture.

Horseshoe Falls.

U. S.  Falls

Natalie, Elijah and myself.

The guys offered to pay for me to take the Zip Line across the Falls.

(No this is not me)

I declined the offer.

I told them I hope to return when I am 80!

Clifton Hill always looks good.

So much to see, so much to do.

The Maid of the Mist.

We all had a great time, and I can't thank them enough for making it all happen.

More Celebrations to come!!!

INVERHURON PROVINCIAL PARK.

Monday October 2nd 2017                                                               166635

Well here we area at Inverhuron.     166720

Since the last time we were here, 2 or 3 years ago the park has built a whole new camping area.   So we have a site in the area, #260.

It's a great site.  We can hear Lake Huron lapping the shoreline, and just see the deep blue of the lake through the trees.   From the site we can walk a short pathway to either the trail or the shoreline.

After lunch we took the pathway to the shoreline.

The lake was way higher than the last time we were here, and very calm clear and blue.

A great start to the trip.

Right at the entrance to the shoreline we came across a very artistic collection of rocks and stones.  It was very well done and so impressive.

Further along the shore line we found several "Hoodoo's".   All very artistic, and extremely interesting.

Further along the shore we came across an interesting piece of driftwood - almost "monster" looking.

There was quite a bit of driftwood floating in the lake also.

Then we made it to the Northern Perimeter of the Park,  which was the Border of the Bruce Power Nuclear Station.

The trail was an easy one to follow.

Unbeknownst to us, the park had built 6 cabins in a treed area here.  They all looked really good, and the view from the porch. of the lake, was magnificent. 

So, back to the trail and eventually back to #260.

The sun was still shining and it had turned onto a wonderful warm October afternoon.   Which we spent the remainder of relaxing.

The campfire tonight was one of the best we have had this year, so that is where we parked ourselves until bedtime.

Fabulous evening.  The stars and moon were magnificent.






Tuesday October 3rd 2017

It started out as a cool. misty morning, but by the time breakfast was all cleared away the sun had blessed us with it's presence.

Today's walk was to go along the shoreline to the Southern Perimeter this time.

Lake Huron was not very calm today.

Quite a few white caps visible.










There were more signs of art along the stony shore.

We could see The Nuclear Plant from the trail.  

Almost looking majestic, through the trees.

Some parts of the shoreline were not passable due to the high tide, so we took to the trail.











We could see the lake through the trees.

Then we made it to the beach.   Which was a tiny beach to how we remembered it a few years previous.   All being due to the lake being so much higher now.

The Dune area looked as good as usual, though may be a little greener than usual.

Then on to the river.

All very pretty.








From the river we headed back to the beach area, where I was lucky enough to find some more driftwood.

And so it was time to head back to #260.  It had been another couple of wonderful hours spent walking the beach and the trails.

It was getting quite warm now, so after lunch we relaxed, enjoying this lovely late summer - well worth the wait for summer!

OK, so we cannot sit too long.   Time to take the trail to the Northern Perimeter again.

The Lake was still had a lot of white caps, and it was very windy.    Although still quite warm.

We took the same route as yesterday, which meant we had done the south to the north   perimeters of the Scenic Trail today.  There is still a section left to do, and it's a loop trail.   So looking forward to that next time.

When we got back to our site, although still warm we could feel the fall chill in the air.

So Mike got the fire ready to light after dinner.

I took a 60 second walk to the shore and took a picture of the sun setting.  I do enjoy sunset pictures.

A little later some clouds rolled in.

When the clouds disappeared again our site was lit by the massive moon.

Such a pretty night to be outside.

The clouds came back, and all that lit our site then was the glow of the fire.

Suddenly Mike jumped and said  "What the heck was that?".   He grabbed the light and saw 2 small raccoons looking at him.   So close one had touched his leg.

Anyway, they took another look at Mike and ran away!   UMMM

About an hour  later something caught my eye just at the edge of the bush.   I thought it was the raccoons back again, but alas, it was not.   As it wandered out of the bush towards me, all I whispered to Mike was "SKUNK".   Mike took the light again and shuffled his feet along the gravel.  Hopefully to make the skunk go away.   But this skunk wanted to stay.  It was in no hurry to go anywhere.

Well it really was another very good fire, and I think the skunk liked it as much as we did.

We did managed to get it to move away from us and the fire.   Then after about 15 minutes,  felt like 15 days,  it wandered off in the bush towards the lake.

The remainder of our time outside was taken up looking for any other monsters that were hanging around.

About 10.15 p.m. we decided that really was enough excitement for one evening and headed inside for a night cap!

Wednesday October 4th 2017                                                     166720

Very windy, cloudy morning.  There had been s shower earlier this morning, but not too bad when we were ready to cook breakfast.    Managed to eat outside.   Still not cold, but it really does look like we could get a lot of rain or a storm.

Time to head home today, make plans for Thanksgiving  this weekend and birthday celebrations to follow.

First stop was the beach area.  It was extremely windy now, and the rain had started.  The lake looked quite menacing.

Next stop was The Kings Pearl, for lunch.   another favorite stop of ours.

Then time to head home in the very heavy rain we now had.

It's been another fun filled adventure.