Day One
Bags packed and in the car, I am off for something that has not taken place in a number of years. Girls weekend, with my sister and my brother's four girls, my nieces.
A number of years ago we used to do this but then life got in the way and it stopped. Then last year at my great nieces wedding we decided it was about time.
Years ago it was either at my sister's in Haliburton, or at the eldest niece's in Dowling, north of Sudbury. This year it is the youngest niece that will host.
I've decided to do it in two stretches to make the drive a bit easier. While I love driving, I thought that 8+ hours might be a bit much for me. Not getting any younger, and I want to enjoy myself.
A number of years ago we used to do this but then life got in the way and it stopped. Then last year at my great nieces wedding we decided it was about time.
Years ago it was either at my sister's in Haliburton, or at the eldest niece's in Dowling, north of Sudbury. This year it is the youngest niece that will host.
I've decided to do it in two stretches to make the drive a bit easier. While I love driving, I thought that 8+ hours might be a bit much for me. Not getting any younger, and I want to enjoy myself.
Leaving Northumberland County
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The little hamlet of Trent River is the last little village I pass before leaving the township and the county. Just a few miles north is Havelock and once past there I am "north of 7". The landscape changes dramatically from the rolling hillsides and dairy farms of Trent Hills to rocky granite crags and marshes bursting with life.
The creamy white water lilies have just come into bloom and the bogs have a film of yellow pollen bringing back wonderful childhood memories. I can almost smell the liquorice scent that has left an imprint in my mind. Tree stumps and grasses for as far as the eye can see. A beautiful but unforgiving land that caused great hardship for the original homesteaders.
The creamy white water lilies have just come into bloom and the bogs have a film of yellow pollen bringing back wonderful childhood memories. I can almost smell the liquorice scent that has left an imprint in my mind. Tree stumps and grasses for as far as the eye can see. A beautiful but unforgiving land that caused great hardship for the original homesteaders.
Just a little farther up the road before I make the turn to head toward Apsley I see a sign that directs one to a waterfall call "the Gut", I have yet to see. I am told it is quite lovely. Perhaps it will be featured in a future meandering.
The road toward Apsley is more of the same and at one point I stopped and took pictures of a couple of wild turkeys and their poults. There were actually two adults and about eight little ones.
The road toward Apsley is more of the same and at one point I stopped and took pictures of a couple of wild turkeys and their poults. There were actually two adults and about eight little ones.
Apsley
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The next town to pass is Apsley. Typical of the small tourist communities that dot the countryside it consists mainly of a grocery store, liquor store and a gas station.
Those are the mainstays. There are other shops that come and go depending on peoples fancy. The former three however are needed. Tourists must have their creature comforts, and in cottage country, food, booze and gas are staples.
From Apsley I head north on highway 28 until I hit the Dyno Road, south of Bancroft. The scenery remains much the same until I hit 118 and then the lakes begin to appear. Glimpses through the trees of rocky shores and black water. Something dear to my soul.
Before I know it I am rolling into my destination for the day.
Those are the mainstays. There are other shops that come and go depending on peoples fancy. The former three however are needed. Tourists must have their creature comforts, and in cottage country, food, booze and gas are staples.
From Apsley I head north on highway 28 until I hit the Dyno Road, south of Bancroft. The scenery remains much the same until I hit 118 and then the lakes begin to appear. Glimpses through the trees of rocky shores and black water. Something dear to my soul.
Before I know it I am rolling into my destination for the day.
Haliburton
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This town is so familiar to me it is almost like home. I spent childhood summers on a lake not far and still own property on another just east of the village.
My sister lives here and it is there I am headed for my first night. Before going to her house I drove through town, that follows the edge of Head Lake. Just outside of town I filled up the car then turned back through town once more and on to my sister's.
My sister lives here and it is there I am headed for my first night. Before going to her house I drove through town, that follows the edge of Head Lake. Just outside of town I filled up the car then turned back through town once more and on to my sister's.
Day two
The road to Bracebridge
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Up and at 'em we left Haliburton bright and early and headed over toward Bracebridge which is in the heart of Muskoka. First we pass the little village of Carnarvan, the eastern most town in Haliburton County. So far the roads and routes are familial to me. As I have traveled them often. The stretch of road from Carnarvan is a particularly pretty one, wild and rocky with a beautiful view of Little Boshkung Lake. It is also a dangerous one as many a soul has struck a moose in this area. Not an animal one wants to hit.
Bracebridge is the portal to the Muskoka community and is ever expanding as more people settle here as with many of the smaller towns both in Haliburton and Muskoka.
Bracebridge is the portal to the Muskoka community and is ever expanding as more people settle here as with many of the smaller towns both in Haliburton and Muskoka.
Parry Sound
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Stopped in Parry Sound to have lunch at this nice little family run cafe called the Country Gourmet Cafe on James Street in the downtown area. I was amazed at the choice of light lunches, sandwiches. They were a bakery and had a good choice of dessert squares and sweets.
I had a slice of spanokopita packed with spinach. The flavour of the feta and dill was just right but unfortunately the phyllo was not crisp. This led me to believe it had been warmed in the microwave. Robin opted for a turkey sandwich with asian pear, havarti chesse and some sort of reduction. It was on a ciabatta bun and grilled and it was very tasty.
We each bought a square for our afternoon road stop. Altogether it was less than $15 for the two of us.
I had a slice of spanokopita packed with spinach. The flavour of the feta and dill was just right but unfortunately the phyllo was not crisp. This led me to believe it had been warmed in the microwave. Robin opted for a turkey sandwich with asian pear, havarti chesse and some sort of reduction. It was on a ciabatta bun and grilled and it was very tasty.
We each bought a square for our afternoon road stop. Altogether it was less than $15 for the two of us.
Highway 69 to Sudbury
Back on the road the next stretch was the long one. The only really pretty area is near the French River but there is really no place to stop unless one leaves the highway and we were anxious to see the family.
Highway 17 to Blind River
We made a pitstop in Espanola and ate our squares. Visited the Northwest Trading Company to stretch our legs. This is your typical souvenir gift shop. Not much to see and overpriced but we needed the stretch.
It was then back on the road and through several other small towns, We still had 1 ½ hours before the final destination and we were getting anxious to see my brother's daughters. While living far from each other we are still a close family, and the fact that my brother was so much older makes these nieces more like cousins, or in fact a sisterhood.
It was then back on the road and through several other small towns, We still had 1 ½ hours before the final destination and we were getting anxious to see my brother's daughters. While living far from each other we are still a close family, and the fact that my brother was so much older makes these nieces more like cousins, or in fact a sisterhood.
Huron Shores
West of Blind River we came to the turn off for Tess' place. As we turned we faced a little but long single lane bridge that crosses the Mississagi River. Picture perfect.
We pulled in the driveway at about 4:30pm, greeted by (sign) and our four gorgeous nieces. Tess, who was hosting at her new retirement house on Dean Lake had asked her husband Eric to give us a boat tour of the lake before he was banished for the next couple of days.
We pulled in the driveway at about 4:30pm, greeted by (sign) and our four gorgeous nieces. Tess, who was hosting at her new retirement house on Dean Lake had asked her husband Eric to give us a boat tour of the lake before he was banished for the next couple of days.
Final Destination
Hugs and kisses in abundance we began the weekend. Lasagne and garlic bread and lots of red wine. A perfect ending to a long drive. (see Off to the Great White North part 2).