Elora Gorge Conservation Area

While it's nice to take extended trips to Northern Ontario, there is much to be enjoyed within a three quarter hour drive from home.  An example of this is the Elora Gorge Park, managed by the Grand River Conservation Area.

Aside from the camping facilities in the Park, the main attraction is "tubing" on the Grand River which runs through the Park.  From the tubing launch area to the low level bridge approximately 2 km down river, the "tubers" have an opportunity to shoot rapids as well as drift through calmer sections of the river, all the while surrounded by the limestone walls of the gorge and never ending cedar trees.

Some people use the big yellow "shuttle bus" to get to the launch area, some walk the distance carrying their tubes, while others get someone from their group to chauffeur them, carrying the tubes on the car roof or trunk, or just hanging onto them through an open car window.  Although tubing is more popular with the younger crowd, some participants had some grey hair.  However, we were content to just be bystanders.

By the way, if you are camping on the opposite (from the main entrance) side of the river and driving / pulling a good sized RV, you'll have to ask the park staff to open the gate for you on Middlebrook Road (at fire address 7295).  Otherwise you are likely to "bottom out" at the approach to the low level bridge.




Our campsite # 422



View from the edge of the gorge



"Tubers" under way

Returning to the tube launch site



Tube launching  area



Shooting the rapids

 


End of the ride



Big yellow shuttle bus

A Warm Weekend at Conestoga Lake

Itching to get away from the city for a couple of days, on the "spur of the moment" we booked a spot at the Conestoga Lake Conservation Area.  Given the 30 degree plus temperature on Friday we were somewhat concerned about keeping cool.  However, the "in dash" AC kept us cool while driving and the rooftop AC units made us comfortable while parked.

On an adjacent campsite were a couple from Timmins, Ontario who were trying to run  their rooftop AC unit on a 15 amp circuit but the circuit breaker couldn't handle it.  We happened to have a spare 30 amp cord we loaned them until they were able to purchase one in Listowel the next day.  Happy campers they were.

There was a slight breeze Saturday afternoon which enabled us to sit outside under the awning.  Down by the lake there was quite a strong breeze which brought out sailboats from the Conestoga Sailing Club and created a few waves for the Sea Doo enthusiasts.
 


Site 75

 



The beach was a popular spot

1

TriGator for Kids

This morning we had the opportunity to attend the 2012 TriGator for Kids triathlon (ages 6 through 14) at the Woolwich Memorial Centre in nearby Elmira.  Grandsons Colbey and Drew (twins) and Parker were registered for the Swim, Biking, Running triathlon.

There was certainly a "family atmosphere" to the event with parents and grandparents everywhere, cheering on the participants and taking photos and videos.  Although not a a race, it provided an excellent opportunity for each participant to show what they could do.  Each participant also received a medal and had their name announced as they approached and crossed the finish line. Even the weather cooperated with seasonal temperatures and most importantly, no rain.

It was obvious that the event required a ton of organization and help from the many volunteers that seemed to be everywhere.  Kudos to Manulife, Canadian Tire Corp. and other sponsors, as well as to the many volunteers.

Sizing up the competition. Colbey & Drew are in the green swim trunks.

Drew and Colbey in the final stretch.

Colbey & Drew heading toward the biking lap.

Parker in full stride, finishing close behind the fastest participant. 

Proud of our grandsons

MacGregor Point Winter Program

To all the other Winter Warriors at MacGregor Point Provincial Park, it's now official... we'll be back for the 2012 - 2013 season on our usual site #61.

Grundy Lake Provincial Park

We left Chutes Provincial Park mid-day Monday and headed to Grundy Lake Provincial Park for a three day visit.  While filling up with diesel fuel in Massey, Judy got a nice shot of a butterfly on some Lilacs.

Upon arrival at Grundy Lake the park staff had posted a sign at the entrance stating "Active Bear in Campground".  On Tuesday evening while out for a walk Peter came upon a young bear in Trailer Campground.   Around 11 pm that evening a couple that were camping several sites away from ours, awoke to a thumping sound.  Realizing it was too loud to be a racoon, they turned on an outside light and saw a large black bear manhandling their barbeque.  The next morning they saw some very large paw prints on the side of their trailer as well as on the ground. 

Throughout the duration of our visit we periodically heard the loud drumming of a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker on a nearby washroom roof.  It sounded like a jackhammer at times and we never did figure out what this crazy bird liked about the roof.

Typically we visit Rondeau Provincial Park in mid to late May to observe the spring migration of birds.  However, we were amazed at the variety of birds in Grundy Lake Provincial Park at this time of year.  We will definitely be returning next May or June and oh yes, the mosquitoes and black flies have been quite tolerable.

Lilacs at Massey

Hwy 17 heading East toward Sudbury

Trumpeter Swan on Gurd Lake

Grundy Lake Beach

Tall, tall Pine trees on our campsite

Young black bear in Trailer campground

Pakeshkeg Lake

Camping and Chipmunks go together

Unusually close view of Pileated Woodpecker

Another view of Pileated Woodpecker

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker that enjoys "drumming" on washroom roof

Chutes Provincial Park & Massey Area

We began the day having breakfast with Maynard & Lorraine at the Crocks restaurant in Massey.  Across the street at the Motel and the gas sation were a number of "iron horse" artistic pieces made by some imaginative welder.

The remainder of the day was spent just touring the area and taking additional photographs.  On a sideroad we happened upon a Red Fox lying in tall grass beside the road.  For a moment we thought he may have been sick but as we approached him he awoke and ran full speed to a safe distance.



Maynard, Lorraine & Peter (the horse didn't have a name)

 

Blue Heron Resort on Spanish River

Red Fox caught (literally) napping

 















 

Elliot Lake

Today we had the opportunity to visit Elliot Lake to attend the memorial service for our friend Frank Spence.  Over the years we have heard a lot about Elliot Lake as a retirement area but since it's about a half hour off Highway 17, we had never taken the time to visit.

Highway 108 leading into the town is winding and hilly.  Much of the town sits on a hill overlooking Horne Lake on the East side and Elliot Lake toward the West. 

Hwy 108 heading toward Elliot Lake

Horne Lake



Miners' Memorial

 

Beach on Elliot Lake



Waterfall on Hwy 17 near Serpent River

Memorial Service for Frank Spence

On April 26, 2012 Mr. Frank Spence, a friend of ours died suddenly near his winter home in Elliot Lake, Ontario.  A memorial service was held for him on Saturday, May 26 at Trinity United Church in Elliot Lake.

Frank was responsible for stimulating our interest in Winter Camping at MacGregor Point Provincial Park.  We attended one of his & Lucy's seminars in 2009 and Arkay Design & Print printed his book entitled Four Seasons RVing.  Frank and Lucy were also the campground winter hosts for a number of years up to and including the 2009-2010 winter season.  Although they spent the last two winters in Elliot Lake, Frank continued to keep in touch with the MacGregor Point "winter warriors" via e-mail, blog and Skype.

A number of other winter campers also attended the memorial service.  We will miss him dearly.

 Some memories of Frank (see photos below)