The Great White North

2019-09-02
Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario, Canada

Today I crossed the border into Canada. Josh told me that morning border crossings were the easiest. After trying it this morning, I believe it is slightly more nuanced than that. I got there at 7:50 and there was only one lane open. I waited in line until I was the third car back, just inside the concrete barriers, when they opened the other two lanes at 8:00 and I watched the line of cars behind me disperse. I must not have answered the questions correctly because he grilled me for about 5 or 6 minutes (while maybe eight cars went through the other two lanes), ending with a line of questioning about whether I have a concealed weapons permit and when was the last time I handled a firearm. It was odd, but I stuck with it and they eventually let me in.

Once I was in Canada I continued to use Google Maps to find my way to the park. Before leaving I had switched on some AT&T thing that costs $10 per day for what I hope will be more than enough usage. I did tell it to avoid tolls. It added about 15 minutes to the trip, but I don't have any Canadian money and I've been burned by this before. Earlier this year I was in Florida and I turned onto a ramp that required a toll (which is no surprise for anyone who has been to Florida). This one required exact change. In coins. I barely carry cash, and you have to go through a metal detector to get on a plane... So rather than risk that I just went the back roads.

Light holiday traffic got me to the park in the early afternoon, after the drizzle had stopped. Well, light traffic going my way; I passed 5 or 6 kilometers of slowly moving cars leaving the peninsula. I am also learning French from the signs here that have both languages. For example, "Yurt Camping" is "Camping en Yurte." That's pretty easy to remember; I can't wait to use it in conversation with my Canadian or French colleagues!

I registered for my campsite and parked there, but then immediately hiked to the Grotto and the swimming area in Georgian Bay of Lake Huron. Because The Grotto is so popular, you have to have a reservation to visit, either for a campsite (like me) or for a parking space. This keeps down the wear and tear on that section of the park.

The trail out to the swimming area is very easy, but the return trail around Marr Lake was primarily rock fields so it was challenging albeit not too difficult. Luckily for the most part the rocks had time to dry; the places where they were still wet was quite slippery.

After completing the loop, I came back to my campsite to pitch my tent, having given the ground more time to dry. I then went for a stroll along Lake Cyprus, which has the distinction of having no invasive species. It is also shallow, so therefore pretty warm.

I always get request for specific types of pictures, and this year Bird Xmas comes early. Here's a nice Ring-Billed Gull for all the bird photography fans! He was much more interested in the couple eating a snack so I didn't need a long lens for this one.

Hiking Distance: 6.5 km