Walking on Ice - the Superior kind...

Walking on Ice - the Superior Kind!

Date: Monday, January 12th 
Time: 5:15 a.m. 

A Facebook message popped up on my computer, 'What time do you want to head out?' 
'Whenever you're ready,' I replied. 
'How about we have our shakes while watching the rest of the 'Golden Globes [which we had recorded the night before], then aim to leave at 6:30?'
'Done!'

Such is modern technology, which enables us to communicate with our partner in the other room!!! 

That's how our day started, though we had planned it the day before. Mark had checked the forecast for Sault Ste. Marie and Agawa Bay, and sunshine was promised - though we knew how temperamental Lake Superior weather can be. He also wanted to drop by Iron Bridge to see the deer while they were having their breakfast!

Setting off 15 minutes later than planned, the car didn't take too long to warm up and we were on our way. 

Unfortunately for Mark, there were no deer to be seen, so we continued on towards the our destination. 

Long Road Ahead

Once Hwy. 17 turned north from the Soo, the sense of excitement (which we always feel when we visit this part of the Superior coastline) mounted. (You can click the pics to make them larger).

Ridges in the Distance

'Up On the Rooftop...'

The scenery - very different from Summer and Fall - beckoned us forward until we arrived at the Voyageur's Lodge at Batchawana Bay. You can see the amount of snow that had fallen over the previous few days. The guy shoveling snow in the background gives a whole new take on 'Up On the Rooftop'! 

Batchewana Bay

The bay, itself, was mostly frozen over and the wind coming off the lake lowered the temperature somewhat. However, you could feel the warmth of the sun on your skin when you turned away from the wind. 

A few clicks further on, we found our spot just north of Pancake Bay. We had been thrilled at the power of the waves when we had visited the area in the Fall, last year. Nothing could have prepared us for the beauty and splendour we were to behold where water meets ice and snow. Nature had chiseled out some amazing cliffs, caves, and sculptures... and we were able to walk along the frozen shoreline to discover some breath-taking views. 

Rob & Jenn

Looking back towards the car from our point out on the ice, we noticed another couple who were preparing to venture forth in our direction. You can imagine our surprise when it turned out to be our friend, Rob, from the Soo, together with his girlfriend, Jenn.

Rob is an amazing adventurer who often kayaks on Superior in all seasons. (He was the first to tell us about the Ice Caves at the Apostle Islands last year). What are the odds of meeting up with friends while out on the ice, nearly 4 hours away from home? 

Rob led the way to some even more splendid sights, including a cave that had been hollowed out by the action of the water.

Us in the Cave

Inside the Cave

So glad that we happened upon each other, as we would probably not have explored further along had it not been for his suggestions.

The experience of the waves of Superior lashing at the ice-cliffs and forming ever-changing, ever-new vistas was something to wonder at. The pictures don't really do justice to the reality, but we're still very pleased with them. 

                These two short movie clip gives a better idea of what captured our awe. 

Reluctantly, we returned to the car, and headed a little further north, noticing the contrast of the seasons in familiar places.

In the Fall

In Winter

Although we had planned to go as far as Old Woman Bay, we decided to start the return journey as we had spent quite a long time out on the ice - and we both agreed that, after that experience, there would probably be nothing to eclipse it for the rest of the day!

Deer in Iron Bridge

Of course, we had to stop by at Iron Bridge on the way home - just in case the deer were having their supper. Much to Mark's delight, we spotted a few, one with antlers, which made his day.

Antlered Deer

The server at the gas station told us that there were fewer deer in Iron Bridge this winter as there are several wolf packs that have moved into the area and so the numbers have dropped considerably. Now - if we could see a wolf - it would be ME who would be delighted!

Arriving home just after 7:00 p.m., we were tired, but elated at the wonderful day we had spent - magnificent scenery, awesome experiences, warm friendships, and a deeper appreciation of Winter, with all its beauty and splendour. 

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Clearing Out the Clutter

Clearing Out the Clutter

So, another year is well and truly on its way, and many of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere are already counting the days to Spring!

While I love the winter, here in Canada, the warmth of Springtime is always welcome. After all, 4 months of cold weather is rather a long time - even when we can appreciate the white wonderland of the environment around us. 

Many people have already found that the New Year's resolution that they made is no longer intact, though a few may be holding on and persevering - good for them!

What does it mean to resolve to do something? Usually it involves getting rid of something -  making changes - out with the old, in with the new (a concept well illustrated by the old European tradition of opening both the front door and the back door at the strike of midnight on Dec. 31st. 

In order to make room for something new, we generally have to get rid of anything that gets in the way, or blocking the road ahead - whether it is a physical object, a habit, or sometimes an unhealthy relationship. This may be a relationship with a person, with food, with our body, with money, or with anything that we feel may be holding us back from the freedom we desire. Only when we are ready to let go of that which is no longer serving us will we be ready to embrace the new and unfolding future - with its promise and affirmation. 

Those who feel that they have already gone back on the resolutions they made, probably have not completely let go of that which was holding them in the old patterns of behaviour and ways of thinking. They had good intentions, but their mindset did not match them. 

Letting go - clearing out the clutter - may be one of the hardest things to do... and book after book has been written about the best ways to release negativity. Sometimes, we prefer the comfort of the familiar (with all of its discomfort), than the risk of the unknown and the new. 

A dear friend of ours once shared that for some people, the pain has not become big enough to motivate them to make the changes they would like to see in their lives. 

It's all about timing and maybe January 1st is not necessarily the right time.  



Most of us have been able, at some point, to let go of stuff, and take those first few steps forward into the next stage of our journey. Experience will remind us of how freeing those times were. Looking back, we may be able to discern the personal growth we made as a result of those decision. Clearing out the clutter at some level was worth it, in the long run. 

So, when we find ourselves feeling disappointed that our good intentions have come to naught (no matter what time of the year), let's not beat up on ourselves, but remember that there is a 'time for every season' - and it will come to us when we are ready.

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Footprints in the Snow

Footprints in the Snow

The Beautiful Quirke Lake

After several dull days, it was great to see the clear blue sky with the sun shining gloriously this morning. The snowfall of the last few days still had some of the branches covered in sparkling white and so we headed to one of our favourite walks at the end of Panel Mine Road, just north of Elliot Lake. We decided to walk to the beach where, last winter, we promised ourselves that we would swim in Quirke Lake. Alas, our promises were made null and void when the access road was closed for most of the summer for bridge repairs! 

This morning, the cool air welcomed us as we set off along the trail that follows the edge of the lake. Although we have been on this trail several times, we are still in awe of the spectacular scenery as it unfolds before us. 

Along the trail, we noticed two sets of footprints which, we think, may have been made by foxes. We know that there are two in that particular area as we spent some time with them in the Fall of 2013. It was interesting to follow the prints as they revealed the story of what had happened earlier. Sometimes, the two sets of prints were overlaid on top of each other suggesting that one fox had followed the other. 

Trail left by foxes?

At other times, they separated for a short distance, sometimes going off into the bush and back again. 

Deer tracks?

There were also some larger prints that were left by a deer that had been foraging for food earlier in the day (or at least since the last fall of snow). 



It got me thinking of a text book that I used to teach comprehension to my students. Brought over from the U.K., the page being referred to showed the aftermath of a cyclist's collision with a car after a dog had run across the road in pursuit of a cat. The whole story had to be reconstructed by the tell-tale marks left in the snow. It was always a favourite lesson. 

It also reminded me that we leave footprints in life... and in the lives of others. The things we do and say, no matter how small or large, leave an imprint that touches others for better or worse. It behooves us of the need to tread carefully. 

Maybe at this time of year, in our interactions with those around us, we can leave each person feeling better for having been in our presence; feeling uplifted because of something we have said or done. The gift of ourselves and our time is worth far more than anything wrapped and placed under the tree.  
The footprints left in the snow will gradually disappear. The footprints we leave in the lives of others will stay with them for a very long time - maybe for the rest of their lives. 


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  The Power of Forgiveness

Cheeseplate? I don't think so!!!

Cheese plate?  I don't think so!!

Since we first moved to Barrie, back in 2004, we were drawn to participate in the annual 'Homes for the Holidays' event, exquisitely organized by the May Court Club of Barrie. This weekend-long event usually occurs towards the end of November and features 6 homes which have been staged by local sponsors, home owners, florists, and decorators. 

Each year, the 'Homes for the Holidays' tour raises thousands of dollars for local charities, families, and individuals. The homes selected each year vary in size, style, and location. Patrons get to visit each home in any order, and are treated to a lovely scone baked on site, together with butter, strawberry jam, and tea or coffee. This year, the venue for the 'Tea Room' was the Lion's Gate Banquet Hall on Blake Street. 

Normally, we leave the tea room experience to the end. This year, however, as we were heading back to Elliot Lake, after visiting friends and family in Southern Ontario, we went straight to the tea room, and visited the two homes in town before viewing the ones just outside of Barrie, and a little further north in Oro-Medonte.

The homes ranged from being over 100 years old, to recently built, and the decorations served well in planting the Christmas spirit firmly in our hearts as we start off our annual season of movie-watching, CD listening, and card-writing etc. We had missed last year's event, but timed our visit to coincide with this year's occasion. 

Beauty - in town!

Near Snow Valley

Near Snow Valley

Beautiful Farmhouse in Oro-Medonte

Terrific view of Kempenfelt Bay

Eco-friendly home

So..... what's this got to do with cheese plates?  

Well, as some of you may know, I have a slight hearing issue which results, not so much in being unable to hear, but in mis-hearing what is said - something to which some of my recent students may attest!! 

When I went into the May Court Club store to purchase the booklets (which act as tickets), I asked if the routine was the same - that it had to be presented at the first venue. When the wonderful woman at the desk replied, I could have sworn that she said, 'You have to present a cheese plate!' 

My first reaction was to think, 'That's new!'.... and I thought that maybe they were encouraging contributions so that visitors could have a nibble as well as view the interior of these beautiful homes. 

In astonishment, I asked if this was just at the first venue, or whether it was for every venue, thinking that 6 cheese plates would add considerably to the cost of the event! When she repeated that it was to be presented at every venue where they would check off the box for every home, I realized my mistake. She had really said, 'You have to present (the ticket) at EACH PLACE!' Now, maybe you can't hear the similarity between 'each place' and 'cheese plate', but when you have a hearing issue where the consonants can be confused, you can see clearly how the misunderstanding could have occurred!!

It was with relish that I shared my error with the two women in the store and we all saw the funny side of it and enjoyed the moment of humour. You can imagine my joy when I realized that I had a new funny story to share!! 

I can thoroughly recommend this annual house tour. It is extremely well-organized, and the volunteers are exceptional in their desire to furnish information about the homes, as well as outstanding in making each person feel important and looked after. 

If you have never been to this event, watch out for it next year. We will, for sure - with or without cheese plates!

Courtesy of: http://www.cheeseplate.org/cheese-plate-design/  

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The End of the Road....

The End of the Road

November 6th, 2014

I have always been the kind of person who wonders...  who wants to know and experience new things. Nothing makes this more obvious when presented with a trail, a track, or a road that I haven't been on. I have this burning desire to KNOW what is at the end of that road.

Within the first few years of my arrival in Canada, this quest led me to discover Airport Road, just N.E. of Toronto. I remember driving on my own as far north as Hwy 9 and thinking, I'd better turn back as I felt I'd ventured into the far north!  Little did I know!!   On another adventure on this road, I discovered Wasaga Beach was at the end of the road - but there were some beautiful vistas to be encountered on the way - Hockley Valley among them. The thirst to know where roads lead to has not left me. In fact, it has been enhanced since I've hooked up with Mark, who also has this unquenchable thirst for exploring.

Yesterday, we headed out for a drive and a short hike. I wasn't feeling 100%, so didn't feel like going too far. Little Lake Bog, just off Hwy 17, gave us some excellent shots of some interesting fungi. After a quick bite for lunch in Blind River, we headed north along Hwy 557 towards Cataract River and Falls - one of our favourite places. Before we arrived there, the question had been presented - where does this road lead to? Mark remembered going to the very end of it last year,
but I couldn't remember, so we decided to 'do the falls' on the way back.

Along the way, we saw several roads, leading off from the left and the right, that intrigued us. We decided that they should be investigated after on the return drive.

One such road took us to Lower Cranberry Lake and Lake Duborne - connected with each other by a river with rapids and two small waterfalls. 

Another road - Hope Lake Road - led us to the southern end of Chiblow Lake, where we discovered some great trails along the shoreline. Both the rapids and falls of the earlier lakes, and the vistas afforded by Lake Chiblow  added to the experience and provided reason for pics to be taken.

Interesting Ridge alongside Lower Cranberry Lake

Different colours in the water

Hunting Platform on the trail

Negotiating the trail wasn't without its challenges

What had started out as a plan to stay local and keep it short, ended up with exploration which took over 3 hours of hiking. Not only that, but being in nature restored my spirits and gave me back my energy. As a friend told me earlier that day - just being out in the fresh air and getting the muscles moving works wonders!

It certainly did!

We never did make it back to Cataract Falls yesterday, but I'm looking forward to future trips to find out what is at the end of the road!

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