The Great Canadian Camping Adventure traveling from LaFountaine Carefree RV to Trailside Carefree RV Resort

Departing Lafontaine Carefree RV Resort, we headed east along Route 26 to Route 93 into Penetanguishene. Penetanguishene is a community rich in cultural heritage. The past of the most historic town west of Quebec City is proudly displayed in their 135-year-old Centennial Museum. Built in 1875, the former C. Beck Lumber office and General Store became the Town's Museum in 1967 in celebration of the Country's 100th birthday. Condemned to close in 1991, an extensive fundraising campaign by the Friends of the Museum saved it. The museum also houses an active and vital genealogical research center that is maintained by dedicated and friendly volunteers. It is located on the shores of Penetanguishene Bay. The Museum grounds offer a quaint and beautiful setting for gathering of music and tales of their heritage. The naval and military base (now called Discovery Harbour) near Penetanguishene is another historic icon. There are reconstructed buildings from the historic Penetanguishene Naval Yard and two replica sailing ships from the 1812 period, HMS Bee and HMS Tecumseth. The King's Wharf Theatre located at Discovery Harbor has a program of popular plays and musicals every summer. Penetanguishene, along with Midland and Parry Sound, is one of the departure points for Georgian Bay's 30,000 Islands boat tours.

There are two notable and historic churches located in Penetanguishene. The oldest is St. James on-the-Lines, a small wooden Anglican church built in 1836 to serve the military garrison and civilian population. The most prominent is the large limestone Roman Catholic Church named St. Anne's. Originally named "Ste Anne's Jesuit Memorial Church: Canadian National Shrine", it is sometimes referred to today as the "Cathedral of the North". The Church was constructed between 1886 and 1902 by pastor Theophile Francis Laboureau. Laboureau secured major funding for the church from the Bishops of Rouen and Normandy in France as well as the governments of England, France and the United States. As it serves a bilingual Catholic community, services are held in both French and English.

We traveled along 12 East into Midland, along the beautiful Southern Georgian Bay area, and came upon Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. Ontario’s first European Community, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons was the headquarters for the French Jesuit Mission to the Huron Wendat people. In 1639, the Jesuits, along with French lay workers, began construction of a fenced community that included barracks, a church, workshops, residences, and a sheltered area for Native visitors. By 1648, Sainte-Marie was a wilderness home to 66 French men, representing one-fifth of the entire population of New France. Sainte-Marie's brief history ended in 1649, when members of the mission community were forced to abandon and burn their home of nearly 10 years. After extensive archaeological and historical research, Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is now recreated on its original site, where the mission’s compelling story is brought to life. This world-renowned reconstruction illustrates the interaction of the French and Wendat nations. Visitors get a unique opportunity to see the earliest Canadian pioneer life, through guided or self-guided visits, interactive education programs, and special events.. Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is operated by Huronia Historical Parks, and is an Attraction of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

As we headed north, we went through Muskoka. The name of the municipality derives from a First Nations chief of the 1850s. Lake Muskoka was then the hunting grounds of a band led by Chief Yellowhead or Mesqua Ukie. He was revered by the government, who built a home for him in Orillia where he lived until his death at the age of 95. Muskoka has a large number of permanent residents, but an additional 100,000 seasonal property owners spend their summers in the region every year, making this a major summer getaway. Many of the seasonal properties are large mansion-like summer estates, some of which have been passed down through families from generation to generation. Most of these expensive properties can be found along the shores of Muskoka's three major lakes: Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau, and Lake Joseph. In recent years, various Hollywood and sports stars have built retreats in Muskoka, including Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Martin Short, Harry Hamlin, Cindy Crawford, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

Muskoka is also famous for a comfortable chair, in the United States we call them Adirondack chairs, here they are Muskoka chairs. What is the difference between the two? Nothing! They both feature short legs, wide arms, high backs and slanted seats. However, according to Woodmill of Muskoka, the Adirondack chairs are two inches higher off the ground and two inches wider between the arms than the Muskokas. Difference or no difference, the Muskoka and the Adirondack are the epitome of summer comfort. Anyone who slips into one cannot help but be consumed by a sense of calm and wellbeing. You can sit there for hours, confident in the opinion that nothing can go wrong and no harm can come to you. 

Also located in the Muskoka area, is the Wahta Mohawk Territory. A Mohawk group of people relocated to this area in 1881 from the Quebec. The Wahta Mohawks are mainly descended from Mohawks who were members of the Five Nations confederacy, which also included the Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca. When the Tuscarora joined in the in the early 1700’s they became the Six Nations Confederacy. The Mohawk Nation is the Eastern Door of the Iroquois Confederacy. It was responsible for protecting its easternmost territory, the trade relationship with the Dutch and later the English trade center at what is now Albany, New York. The Confederacy still exists and the People continue to refer to themselves as Haudenosaunee or People of the Longhouse. Today there are eight communities that comprise the Mohawk Nation: Akwesasne, Kahnawake, Kanesatake, Six Nations, Tyendinaga and Wahta as well as Kanatsiohareke and Ganienke in the United States.

Iroquois Marsh & Cranberry Store, largest cranberry marsh in Ontario. If you are a regular blog reader, you know how I love my Cranberry bogs! Iroquois Cranberry Growers (ICG) was started in 1969 by the then chief as an economic development venture. At that time people were able to traditionally pick and sell a’io (cranberries) from a bog just north of the Musquash River. That same spot had all the requirements for a commercial a’io (cranberry) operation. A good supply of water, impermeable peat soils, and an abundant supply of sand comes together at the site. Iroquois Cranberry Growers was started with just a few acres and has grown into the current 68 acre farm. It has provided employment for community members and has helped to support an economic base for community government. 

Seguin is the most southerly town in the District of Parry Sound. It is just a two-hour drive north, away from the hustle and bustle of the City of Toronto. Seguin, the sign says it is “the natural place to be.” As the Natural Place to Be, it is truly the natural place to plan your vacation. You can escape to their four-season paradise and take in the natural setting of lakes, rivers, forests, beaches and winding trails. Seguin is our little piece of paradise ready to be discovered.

Driving through the beautiful Parry Sound area of Georgian Bay, we arrived at Trailside Carefree RV Resort. At Trailside, you are sandwiched between Linger Long Lake, McDonald Lake, Vair Lake, Murdock Lake and Otter Lake.  Carefree’s Jewel in the Wilderness, with over 300 acres of wooded wilderness, Trailside RV Resort is one of Carefree Resorts larger destinations for summer fun. There are three picturesque lakes that provide nature trails offering unique hiking experiences. Explore the area by renting a boat, kayak, or paddleboat and shove off for adventure from one of the two sandy beaches. Camp in the natural beauty where there are so many trees sometimes you can’t see your neighbors’ camper. Ahhh, this is a million dollar view!