Conestogo Lake

Having a limited amount of time this weekend, we decided to find a campground close to home.  Conestogo Lake is about three quarters of an hour drive from Waterloo.  It is a multi-recreational use park and campground covering over 350 acres.

We had not previously camped here but did some boating on the lake in 1989 and 1990.  Although the water level drops considerably over the summer, it is a popular waterway for fishing, sailing, tubing and water skiing and the shoreline is dotted with cottages.

The Grand River Conservation Authority is presently completing some improvements to the lower part of the dam.  While touring the "lower park" we made an interesting discovery.  An "old order" Mennonite couple in their twenties were enjoying a day at the park, tossing a baseball back and forth and using one of the barbeques provided in the park.  Nearby was their buggy and the horse was tied at a special area designated for horses.  It became obvious that the park gets some regular use from these local folks.

Entrance to the Park

Campsite #70



At the docks

Looking Westward

Looking Westward toward the swimming area

Water levels are dropping

By the dam

Swimming area view from parking lot

Civic Holiday 2011

Having boated in Georgian Bay for more than eight years, we still take every opportunity to visit marinas, watch boaters at launch ramps, and visit some of our favorite locks on the Trent Severn canal system.  During those boating years we often took advantage of the Civic Holiday long weekend to make a trek up the Trent Severn canal system, starting with lock 45 at Port Severn and ending at the Port of Orillia on the South shore of Lake Couchiching.

For the August 2011 Civic Holiday we took a day trip to Orillia followed by a visit to the Couchiching Lock (#42) a few kilometres from the North end of Lake Couchiching.  It certainly brought back a lot of memories.

Some of the prettiest and unique locks are off the "beaten path" and hence many tourists never see them.  An example is the Swift Rapids lock (#43) which is the highest conventional lock on the Trent Severn system and is only accessible by boat.  Another very unique lock is the Big Chute Marine Railway (Lock 44) for which we have included a 2005 photograph.

Port of Orillia facing Southward

Port of Orillia facing Northward

A couple of beautiful hanging pots

The Boardwalk

Hobby Boats

"Hotdog Run"

On the Boardwalk again

Lined up for the Launch Ramp

Lock 42 Sign

Waiting to Enter the Lock

Entering Lock 42

Lock 42 Upper Entrance

In the Lock

Lock 42 Lower Entrance

Big Chute Marine Railway (2005)



Sunset View during Homeward Trip

A Warm Summer Weekend in Kitchener-Waterloo

Our RV is in Orangeville for a propane system recertification and a few other repairs, so we were able to take in a few weekend events in Kitchener-Waterloo.  On Friday evening we attended the annual K-W Ribfest event at Victoria Park in Kitchener.

Lining up for Ribs

L

One Hot, Smokey Job

Roasted, Sweet Corn with a Smile

Finger Lickin' Good

Our Grandson Parker's soccer team was participating in a tournament this weekend.  They got into the semi-final games on Sunday morning but unfortunately lost that game.  Fortunately they didn't have to play Sunday afternoon (the final game) in 34 degree heat.

Parker Makes a Save (Saturday p.m.)

Soccer Team Photo (Sunday a.m.)

Day trip to MacGregor Point Provincial Park

Although some commitments have prevented us from using the RV for a little while, today we decided to make a day trip to MacGregor Point Provincial Park.  A few clouds followed us for part of the trip, but the weather at MacGregor Point was just beautiful.  Most of our previous visits to the Park have been between November 1 and May 31 so we were amazed by the lush foliage everywhere in the Park. 

Upon arrival we went straight to the viewing tower at the Ducks Unlimited wetland area, followed by a picnic lunch near the Visitor Centre. We then headed out to the beach area and continued along the boardwalk through Ash Swamp.  A good number of people were taking advantgage of the gorgeous weather to catch some sun at the beach and a few people were actually waste deep in the water. 

When we returned to the Visitor Centre parking lot, a full grown porcupine in a Poplar tree was getting a lot of attention.  We also saw an Indigo Bunting, Garter Snake and Green Heron while hiking through the Park.

Before leaving, we toured some of the campground facilities and continued to be amazed at how different things looked with leaves on the trees.  All in all, a great day.

View of Ducks Unlimited wetland area from observation tower.
No ducks, but lots of croaking frogs.

Wood Lily by the boardwalk

Beach activity

Frog by the boardwalk in Ash Swamp

Full grown Porcupine by Visitor Centre

Pitcher Plants in Marl Swamp

Rondeau - Saturday

Another beautiful day so we decided to walk the South Point Trail (East side).  The scenery was great but the assortment of birds wasn't quite what we've experienced the past few days.

Upon returning to the campground area we visited a Lyme disease display near the Park Store.  They had a couple of live ticks to show us.  The black legged tick had been removed from someone's skin earlier in the day and was to be sent to a lab to determine whether it carried the Lyme disease.

South Point Trail

South Point Trail

South Point Trail

Wild flowers on South Point Trail

Beach on South Point Trail

Cyclists on Rondeau Road

Chatham-Kent Health Unit Lyme Disease display

Black Legged Tick (may carry Lyme disease)

Wood Tick

Our site is almost dry

Rondeau Park - Friday (Victoria Day weekend)

It's Friday evening and Rondeau Park has come to life.  RV's of all sorts and sizes are arriving.  Tents are popping up like flies and the average age of the campers has gone from 50 years of age to about 18 years.  The park staff are even using a breathalizer to enforce the alcohol ban that's in effect for the weekend.

We spent most of the day just resting.  Around 11 a.m. a heavy fog rolled in from the lake but didn't last very long.

Robin taking a bath

Unique bark of Sycamore tree

Site 39 - Campers unable to retrieve their RV

Willow tree in the fog

Fog rolling in on Rondeau Bay pier

Unique kitchenette at rear of trailer

Violets on the Marsh Trail

Full house

Where's the party?

Tent city