WELCOME TO 2013 CAMPING

MACGREGOR POINT Wednesday May 1st 2013.                           312403

Finally after 5 months of snow followed by 4 weeks of rain and 2 days of spring it is now summer.  Well, that is what the weather is indicating.  If only it would last through to November life would be good.

Our winter was extremely busy.  We gutted our kitchen and rebuilt it all with new walls, cabinets, plumbing, floor and anything else we found that happened to be in the need of repair.  It was well worth the hard work and looks great now.  Bonus - we have now completely re-done the whole house.  Now time for camping!

With a forecast of good weather for the next 4-5 days and both of us suffering from "cabin fever", El Campista got packed for a couple of days away at Mac Gregor Point.  Easy ride to the park in brilliant sunshine.  Very little traffic on the roads and when we checked into the park, it too was peacefully quiet.

Took site # 18 in Ash Woods.  It was a good site and came complete with Robins, Chickadees, Grackles and several cheeky Red Squirrels.

Later in the afternoon a pair of Gold Finches came for a visit also.

After a leisurely lunch we took a walk , as we thought towards the Turtle pond.  There should quite a few out at this time of year and such good weather.   This is the one time we did not have the park map with us.  Too bad, we took a wrong turn and ended up in an area of the park we had never been before.  It even took us out of the Park Boundary.  Still a very pretty area, right on the lake.  Which is still very low. Few small sand dunes and lots of birds.

Anyway, we re-traced our steps  and walked the Fringe Trail, then around to the Turtle Pond, where we several Turtles sunning themselves on the logs.

Tried to hook on the Internet with the Tablet at the Welcome Centre, but it was not hooked up there yet.  Will have to try again next time.

The Chickadees were very happy to see us return to the park!

The weather was really good.  And as you can see the Lake was still low and a long way out to what we have been used to.  However. just as pretty.


Back to camp for a relaxing time reading, before supper.

The camp fire was great.  We now know how much we have missed camping since November 2012, but hopefully we have at least 7  months of good camping ahead of us.

Sat around the fire for some time, putting the world right again.  And yes, it is a good place now!

The evening weather was as perfect as the day.  Even the moon showed it's face.

Let's hope tomorrow is equally as god.

Sweet Dreams everyone.






Thursday May 2nd 2013

Good Morning, and a beautiful morning it is too.

Sun shining, cloudless blue sky, birds singing (since 4.45 am), squirrels charging around the camp, who could ask for more?

Took our time over BBQ breakfast and planned our walks for the day.

Headed out on part of the Deer Run Trail, where we found lots of winter damage in the wooded areas, along with a lot of flooded areas.

Already quite warm but no humidity so really good for hiking.

Got to the Shore Line Trail and headed to the Point.

There have been some very artistic people along the shoreline, very clever.

As you can see the lake is very clear right now, and take it from me, quite cold!

Hiked along the rocky edge of the shore line to the camper's beach.  Once again the Lake was very low.

Wandered along to the Huron Fringe Trail where we saw a large Hare.  It's legs were very long making it look like a kangaroo.  Of course it wouldn't hang around for pictures- too bad.

Once again we hit the Turtle Pond, nothing disappointing there.  We were lucky enough to see 10 turtles sunning themselves today.

Most of the shrubs and trees along the trail were in bud and looked very healthy.  Guess all the snow and rain over the past few months did a good job.

Not so many chickadees on the trail today, guess they are still at our site.

After an enjoyable few hours hiking we made it back to our site and was greeted by a cheeky chipmunk, who enjoyed sharing the sunflower seeds with the chickadees.

Relaxed for a while after lunch.  Did some reading and watching the birds, ssquirrels and chipmunks.  It doesn't take much to keep us amused!

Still a gorgeous day. 

Mid afternoon we set off again on another part of the Deer Run Trail which took as through Nippising Camp Ground then towards the beach.  Very quiet area as Nippising is not open yet.

At the beach we saw 5 beautiful White Swans.  We will have to check what actual Swan they are, as we have been told that this particular Swan lands here once a year, every year.  Until today we have never seen them.

Checked the Turtle Pond on the way back to camp, but as the sun was not quite so warm now all the turtles had moved on.

We had been back at camp about an hour relaxing in the sun and a pair of Cardinals came visiting.  We could hear them this morning, but did not see them.  They seemed quite at home here.  Only minutes later a light coloured pudgy "sparrow" like bird settled on the feeder.  Will have to check that one in the book also.  Much to the surprise of all the other birds here, this little guy looked like he was here for the night.

As dusk fell the Cardinals returned for their snack before bed.

Some time later we could hear the owls.  Naturally it was too dark now to see them.

So all in all this has been a good entertaining day with our feathered and furry friends.

However, also tiring, so time to retire for the night.

Friday May 3rd.                                                         312490

Guess what?  Another fantastic morning, quite breezy but not cold.

After breakfast the birds and animals all started showing up.  I tried to do my writing but they kept interrupting me.

Now that is the kind of interruptions I really enjoy.

The next interruption is one I am not looking forward to.  That is to pack up and head home.  This has been a perfect few days break.

Stopped in Port Elgin before going home.  Hopefully this "summer" weather will stay here now.                                                                                                                312576

        

Merry Christmas and Happy New 2013

Yes - we are into 2013 by 12 hours now.  So far so good.  And Happy New Year to you all.

It is a beautiful day here in Durham, brilliant sunshine, deep blue sky and very cold.  I am watching The Rose Bowl Parade as I am writing this blog and it appears to be cool there today.  We have been to Pasadena and driven the road that the parade is using.  Good memories of our days Trucking.

New Year's Eve was good.  No big parties for us this year.  We spent some good quality time on Skype talking with Vince, Barb and Kayleigh, that's always fun.  Natalie and Elijah were here with us.

  Mother Nature was kind to us again Christmas Day and we took our drive to the beach.

No that is not white sand - it is snow!

Quite a nice day really, cool wind off the lake but could have been a lot worse.

Elijah, Natalie and Mike braving the element's of the wind.

As you can see the lake is still very clear.
Do not want to know how cold it is though!






 

I enjoyed the walk too.

 



Back to El Campista for our picnic lunch.
It's hungry work hiking the snowy beach.

The Pirates had docked in the Marina.
Luckily we just saw the ship, not the pirates.

Time to get back to El Campista and head home to check if Santa really was good to us.

Looks very promising, wouldn't you say?
This could take a while.

After such an exiting day, it was time to enjoy a traditional Christmas Dinner  having fun with family.

Merry Christmas!






 December 26th 2012.

After a day of eating and drinking far too much it was time to hike the Conservation Area here in Durham.

As you can see the ice is beginning to form at The Falls.

And the ice is forming on the Saugeen River.









Now we have to start making plans as to where and when we will be camping in 2013.
See you then.

Guess where we are?

Fabulous weather for the next few days, so I am sure you all know where we are.  Three guesses, and the first two don't count.  Now I doubt that didn't tax your brain too much.
Yes we are at Mac Gregor.  It is about the only year round park that is open and that we enjoy.
November 20th 2012                                           311272

Weather is really good for this time of the year and sounds even better tomorrow, but rain by Friday evening, and then the inevitable happens - or so we have been told.  Snow to start Friday evening.

So this may be the last camping trip for 2012.  Not sure I am  up to real "Winter Camping"

 

Took site # 65, never had this site before, but will certainly take it again.  Far better than a couple of weeks ago when we had #83, which we were not very happy with.

There was no one around, even though there were a good amount of "seasonal winter" trailers set up.  It was extremely quiet and relaxing.

Temps in the low teens.

After lunch we got ready for a hike.

As you can see the Chickadees were very happy to see us return.

 It looks as if the lake is even lower than it was a couple of weeks ago, as you can see from the picture  of the beach. 

 We have never seen it look like this. 

On the marine forecast it was mentioned that Lake Huron is down 1.5 metres, and yes we could see the difference to previous years.

As you are aware we have some fantastic friends and family, if we didn't you wouldn't be reading this.

Anyway, Heather and Martin were away on a tour of the canyons in Arizona.  They also stopped in Vegas and while there they couldn't resist buying me a gift.   Knowing my passion for Elvis, they bought me an Elvis doll/teddy bear, who is accompanying us on this trip.

Let me introduce you to

"Elvis Campista"

  

He takes care of things for me.

Thank you guys.  He is great.

Now when I get back from this trip I will be the proud owner of two Elvis discs that I do not have.  And I must Thank You - Tony -

for those.  It won't matter if is it a snowy weekend I can listen to Elvis.

Thank you to all my friends.

 Had a great hike along the beach, Huron Fringe Trail and Turtle Pond, where this little squirrel decided he needed feeding as well.

You can see what a gorgeous fall day it is.

Headed back to camp to light the campfire before dark, and time to settle in for "Happy Hour".

Once again our little tent/add-a-room worked like a charm.   It did cool off about 8.30 p.m. so went in and played dominoes.  That was fun.  I won (again)!

Night Night.

Wednesday 21st November

Another beautiful day and not at all cold.  BBQ breakfast then ready for hiking.

Hiked some of the Deer Trail, up to Huron Campsite then on to the Old Shorline Trail.

We actually met another Human Being on this trail walking her 11 month old puppy.

The water still very low, but must admit it does still  look pretty here.

From there we hiked some more of the Fringe Trail, turtle pond and back to camp for a couple of hours .  It was a great hike, but time for lunch and a little time to relax and catch up on some reading, Patrica

Cornwell this time, very good.

 Later in the afternoon we took off along the remaining part of the Old Shoreline Trail that we did not do this morning.  We met another couple there walking there dog.  Had a nice chat with them, and they told us of another good park to try next year, Arrowhead, near Huntsville.  Looking forward to that.

The turtle pond was extremely calm this afternoon.  Did not see any turtles, frogs, raccoons, or deer, but the birds were as happy to see us as they were yesterday.

As you can see this Nuthatch was extremely happy to see us.

Walked to the Point to watch a beautiful sunset, before heading back to camp for a nice fire, BBQ, and another game of dominoes.

Oh yes, I did it again - I won.

What can I tell you?

Thursday 22nd November 2012.                                                         311352

Unfortunately we are heading home today.  Weather is still good and very warm for November, +20c.  Forecast for rain, changing to snow tomorrow for the weekend, and who knows how much longer.

The Chickadees came visiting and begging me not to leave.

Looks like this could really be the last trip this year unless I get talked into this "winter camping" thing.

All packed and ready to leave about 11.30. 

Headed to Port Elgin and Owen Sound to do some shopping  before going home.

This has been a really good trip, it feels as if we have been away for a week, not a few days.

Anyway, we will catch you again when out and about next.                                    311458

Saturday 23rd November.

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"  here in Old Durham Town.

                            This is what we woke up to this morning - yes it's pretty!  BUT!!!!!

                                        

            

             

MAC GREGOR POINT

NOVEMBER 7TH 2012                        311103                   11 a.m.
Although quite cool out the sun was nice and bright so packed up El Campista and headed to Mac Gregor (our winter camping place).

Very quiet drive through the country to the park.  Now it is beginning to look rather wintry along the road side.

Due to the "seasonal winter" trailers we did not have much choice of sites, but took #83.  It was an OK site but not a lot of shelter from the trees and a long way from the hydro hook up.  Guess all the "winter" campers took the good sites.  That's not so good for campers like us.

Set up our little tent/add a room, which did a great job sheltering us from the wind.

Quite cozy really.

Here is the sitting room in the tent.  Just enough room to relax with a "cuppa" tea, or something a little stronger to beat off the cold.

Here is the cooking and dining area.

After lunch we walked around the turtle pond, where there was far more water than the last time we were there.  Did not see any turtles or frogs.  May be a little too cool for them.

The Chickadees were, once again, happy to see us.

From there we walked along the shore to the beach are, where the tide was way out.  We had never seen it like that in all the times we have been here.

Then we wandered along the shore trail to the Point, where the wind was almost at howling point, and we felt as if our ears had fallen off.  We knew that hadn't happened because our hat was still on our head, and we could still see!

So time to head inland a little, into the treed area of the trail, where it was considerably more comfortable.  Then back to our site for a nice "cuppa".

It appeared the wind chill was -3c, so yes, it was on the cool side.  Got the campfire going where we stayed for some time in the warm, before we had BBQ supper.

Then relaxed in the cozy warmth of El Campista..

All in all it's been a really good day.

Thursday 8th November.

Very cool morning -5c.  Luckily no wind and lots of sunshine.

After breakfast we hiked the Deer Run Trail.  Still a little cool but bright and sunny, so comfortable to walk.  We didn't see many birds or animals and certainly no people or deer.

Along the trail we could see the damage that the remnants of Sandy had left.  So many trees broken and downed.  This is the second time we have camped here after a big storm and the devastation is very visible.


 

If you look closely you may be able to see the ice on the water along this part of the trail.

It was a great walk and a super way to spend an hour or so before lunch.

Hope the weather holds out like this for this afternoon.

Yes - the weather was perfect for an afternoon hike, so we walked the Old Shore Trail to the point, and this time we were in no hurry to leave.  There was no wind at all, just brilliant sunshine.
 

It was so clear out here that we could just see The Lighthouse in Southampton from the Point.  Hope you can see it too.


From the Point we headed along the trail towards the Turtle Pond and back to our site.

It was a fabulous afternoon.

Got campfire going and spent the next couple of hours there before BBQ sausage - always soooo good.

Decided it would be "movie" night. Cannot remember when we  last did that.  Watched "The Deadliest Sea", based on a true story.  Very good.  But I don 't think we will be going anywhere on the water for some time after watching that.


Friday November 9th 2012.  311184

Bit cloudy, but also quite a bit warmer.  Time to head back home today.  It's been a good few days, and hope to be able to get back before the end of the year, Mother Nature allowing, that is.                                               311190

Stopped in at Port Elgin on the way home, found a few bargains - now that is fun too!

Catch you all again soon.