Aug 6, 2019
We had an early start today as we were going to Sudbury, then doubling back, hitching up our trailer, and going to the Manitoulin Islands.
The drive into Sudbury was about an hour’s drive and was uneventful. As we approached Sudbury you could see the tall stacks of the smelters and nickel mines. We were not going to see much of Sudbury as we had to get to Manitoulin Island, however, we felt that we may see more of it on our return trip.
After picking up her new card at the bank, Debbie took time to go to a walk in clinic to see if there may some diagnosis for her cyclic bouts of stomach cramps. The doctor felt that she may be suffering from dehydration and a lack of electrolytes.
We headed back towards our trailer, but stopped in at the Massey Museum before going to the campground. This small museum is on the main highway through town and is maintained by a lady who has been the curator for 31 years! She pointed out that the game of broomball was actually invented in Massey, Ontario. The museum contained interesting exhibits of the logging days and what the town looked like during that time.
We hitched up the trailer and headed south on Hwy #6. Debbie had learned that there was a quilt shop in the town of Espanola, which she wanted to visit. She enjoyed a short visit at Cindy Bee’s Quilt Shop and learned that there was another shop in Little Current on the island!
Manitoulin Island reminded us of a miniature Vancouver Island. A one-lane swing bridge lets you onto the island and brings you first to a town of Little Current. This quaint “sea side” town was a delight to visit. Debbie immediately found the quilt store and I decided to walk the boardwalk along the shore. I ran into a couple from Georgia, USA., Rick and Cindy. Rick had recently retired and they decided to sail their 37 ft. Beneteau sailboat from Georgia into the Great Lakes. We talked about their trip through the 34 different locks and canals to get here! We also had so many similarities, in terms of living space, relationships and visiting the many different places.
A Victory Line cruise ship was moored at the main dock. This is one of several cruise lines that ply the Great Lakes. We later remarked that this could be another interesting vacation. Little Current is a vacation, boating town and has eclectic shopping and restaurants.
Debbie was finally able to drag herself out of the Needle Box sewing shop. This shop is sandwiched between two other stores. It is only 15 feet wide but stocked very well. The proprietor, Linda, has owned the shop for 32 years. She showed Debbie several beautiful quilts that she had entered into various quilt shows.
We headed south across the island. Our destination was South Baymouth, the terminus for the Chi Chewan ferry that would cross Lake Huron to the Bruce Peninsula. We had reserved a commercial campsite, because we had to board the ferry by 8:00 am the next morning. (We had reserved ahead.)
When we arrived at the campground, South Bay Resort, we were directed to our campsite. It literally was less than 10 feet from the water’s edge. (Throughout this trip we have had people commenting about how high the water level of the Great Lakes is this year.)
As I was setting up our barbeque, Joe and Heather rode up on their bicycles. They are from Mississauga, and saw us pull in. They are renting a cabin at the resort and are wanting to buy a trailer. They were totally infatuated with the Armadillo. After showing them the virtues of the trailer, we learned that they are volunteers to help wayward youths in Mississauga. We had a wonderful visit and gave them our blog card as well as a business card for the Armadillo trailers. They wished us well, and let us get on with barbequing. After supper, we enjoyed sitting at the water’s edge beside a campfire and watching the sunset and then the stars.
Quilting in a Kayak 