At least once each winter we would take a family trip to Wahnuhke. Most times our method of following the frozen channels was by walking, skiing, horse-drawn sleigh or, when there was almost no snow on the ice, on skates. It was before the days of scoots, snowmobiles or ATVs. Most of we older membersContinue reading “Silver blades and wobbly ankles”
Category Archives: Memorable Moments
When the ice ran out
If you supplied ice to cottages back in the 1950s, before electricity reached many islands, what would the cottagers, and you, do if you ran out before the end of a hot summer? You found some ice PDQ (without delay)! For the Ojibway’s iceman that fall-back source was Oldfield’s commercial fishery on Range Island, PointeContinue reading “When the ice ran out”
Royal visitors steam into the Bay
The St. Lawrence Seaway was officially opened in 1959 by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. They came to Canada and proceeded up the new waterway system to the Great Lakes aboard the royal yacht Britannia. Doing so, they demonstrated the purpose of the Seaway in opening the centre of theContinue reading “Royal visitors steam into the Bay”
The Group of Seven
Most art lovers familiar with Canada’s iconic Group Of Seven might know of their connection with Georgian Bay. Some of their best known works, and those of their contemporary Tom Thomson, depict in their unique individual styles the waves, rocks and pines of the islands. A big reason for this was that their prominent patron,Continue reading “The Group of Seven”
A trip around the Bay
Georgian Bay’s coasts, communities, islands, people and their history are begging to be explored. For the early part of my life I was able to soak up the southeastern part of the Bay that way. But by mid-life I was getting frustrated at not knowing, first-hand, the rest of what I privately considered my homeContinue reading “A trip around the Bay”
Keewatin memories, and a plea to keep her here
Alan Howard, a friendly and loquatious marine enthusiast of Toronto, knew all about the Canadian Pacific white fleet that steamed weekly between Port McNicoll and the Lakehead. In the early Sixties, he and other steam buffs had taken the trip on the almost-twins Keewatin and Assiniboia, as they correctly guessed that the service would soonContinue reading “Keewatin memories, and a plea to keep her here”
More about ice
You may have read the post below about The Iceman. This one is different. It’s about what not to do when dealing with ice on the Bay in the very early spring. It was April in the mid-Sixties and I was living in Midland on the south shore of the Bay. Every year at thatContinue reading “More about ice”
Of unsung heroes
By the time the big launch had crept through the growing darkness past Eshpabekong Island, waves pushed by a strong east wind began to make it roll. Giving a wide berth to a shoal at the north end of Giant’s Tomb Island, the skipper ran south along the boulder beds of the Tomb’s west shore.Continue reading “Of unsung heroes”
The mighty Laker
Today, anglers venture into the open waters between the eastern shore of Georgian Bay and the Western Islands in search of salmon. Up to the 1930s, however, these waters were said to be the place where the mighty lake trout began its autumn migration from the depths to their traditional inner spawning waters. Fishermen andContinue reading “The mighty Laker”
Betsy’s mysterious anchor
Some of the granite islands in eastern Georgian Bay have sand beaches, mostly small, which make ideal swimming areas especially for children. But for real beachcombing the large outer islands — Christian, Hope, Beckwith and the Giant’s Tomb — are ideal. These are just over the geographic line separating the sandy soil and deciduous woodlandsContinue reading “Betsy’s mysterious anchor”
SWEETWATERS 