The Great Canadian Camping Adventure traveling from Arran Lake Carefree RV to Craigleith Carefree RV

We departed Arran Lake Carefree RV Resort after a great night with newly found friends. That is the greatest aspect of camping! It really is something that only happens with campers ... within a few hours of meeting your neighboring campers you are sharing stories, drinks and usually a meal or two. Thanks to Angela, Debbie, Nathan and the “men” for a great meal and the night of great laughs around the fire! Can't wait to do it again! Maybe the outdoor dart board will be all done and ready for a challenge!

Heading North on 21, we came into the village of Allenford, which is located on the banks of the Sauble River. Originally known by the Indian name Driftwood Crossing, its name today is a combination of the name of the first settler, James Allen, and "ford" which was added because this was the place where the river was the most easily forded. In 1851 the Indians had surrendered a narrow strip of land across the base of the peninsula to accommodate a road between two Indian Reserves. The parcel of land, known as the Half Mile Strip, contained farm lots as well as a trail which would later become a road. This road was chopped and cleared in 1865, graveled the following year, hence known as the North Gravel Road and remained unpaved until 1940. In 1854, a serious dispute arose from differing interpretations of the 1854 Saugeen Treaty. Lord Bury and the Indian Delegation met at Driftwood Crossing (known as Allenford, now) for a pow-wow. The parties sat, ate, danced in the traditional manner and eventually smoked a "pipe of peace". Today, a Historical Plaque, placed on the banks of the Sauble, commemorates this event.

We drove through the township of Georgian Bluffs. Georgian Bluffs is a collection of communities stretching north from Chatsworth to just south of Wiarton. The Georgian Bay is often referred to as the sixth Great Lake, it features more than 30,000 islands and 1,200 miles of shoreline. Georgian Bay's beauty is serene. Windswept pines, majestic towering cliffs, endless beaches and clear blue water. The Georgian Bay Coastal Route presents the best that Georgian Bay has to offer. Copper Kettle, Cobble Beach, Slough of Despond, Big Bay, Oxenden, Balmy Beach, these are just some of the names that paint a picture of the Georgian Bluffs canvas along the Georgian Bay Coastal Route.  Discover the rich marine heritage and lighthouses that dot the coastline, relax on a beach, explore the great outdoors or cruise the best roads on your adventure. You can hear the waterfalls roar in the spring as winter snow melts, feel the cool breeze off Georgian Bay on a hot summer's night, smell the crisp fall winds and taste the cold winter air as snowflakes drift down. The Georgian Bay Coastal Route is a 15 day - 805 mile adventure around the Georgian Bay coast line, including a ferry ride.

Several popular waterfalls spill from the rocky Niagara Escarpment near Owen Sound, rushing into nearby rivers and streams. Three of the waterfalls – Jones, Inglis and Weaver’s Creek – are linked by the Bruce Trail and other pathways, offering many look-out points along the way. Weavers Creek Falls is an intimate, hidden gem at the end of a short boardwalk through hardwood forest. It is a miniature plunge and cascade waterfalls. In summer, it’s a cool, shaded oasis along the spring-fed Weavers Creek.  In fall, the autumn leaves of the surrounding woods are bursting with color. Weavers Creek flows from the falls through Harrison Park to meet up with the Sydenham River. From mid-September to Thanksgiving you’ll find Chinook Salmon swimming in the river, making their way upstream to spawn near the base of Inglis Falls. Inglis Falls is a 60-foot high cascade waterfall just south of Owen Sound, where the Sydenham River meets the Niagara Escarpment. This waterfall is a must-see in every season with spectacular ice formations visible during the winter. The Jones Falls plunges 40-foot over the Niagara Escarpment on the Pottawatomi River.  The short hike from the parking area carries you through various tree types and flora and fauna to the top of the falls, with a view of the surrounding lowlands.  In spring, you will find lots of trilliums, columbine and a powerful spring runoff cascading over the escarpment.

In early August of 2015, The 153^rd Anniversary of the Emancipation Festival was held in Harrison Park. This is an opportunity to celebrate the journey of our ancestors within the Underground Railroad’s most northerly safe haven.  Individuals interested in history, family, culture and community have been congregating every August 1st weekend since 1862 in Owen Sound. It is the longest continuous running Emancipation picnic in North America. Descendants of blacks, who came via the Underground Railroad to settle in freedom, gather to reminisce and enjoy a time of fellowship. John “Daddy” Hall, Owen Sound’s First Black Settler and Town crier’s life is celebrated at this festival. Celebrating cultural history, art, and music; community collaboration and integration; multiculturalism and heritage

Along Route 26, you can see the Blue Mountains in the distance. The Blue Mountains are a visually prominent section of the Niagara Escarpment rising to heights of over 1,000 feet above the area and Georgian Bay. When you first see them in the distance, they do have a blue hue. But that is not where the name comes from. Blue Mountain's name comes from the unusually blue clay that can be found around the mountain.

We turned off Route 26 and easily found our way to Craigleith Carefree RV Resort.

Traveling along Lake Huron from Woodland Lake Carefree RV Resort to Arran Lake Carefree RV Resort

At Woodland Lake Carefree RV Resort we enjoyed a few days of visiting with the wonderful seasonal residents in the park. I got to sit in on the ladies craft hour, where everyone had a different stitching, crocheting, knitting or other craft they were working on. If gave the ladies a chance to visit, share ideas and enjoy some quiet time. The park offers a lovely lake, tons of structured activities, hiking and biking trails. Natalee and her team made our stay very enjoyable! If vacationing in the area or looking for a seasonal vacation get-away, Woodland Lake is the place! 

We departed Woodland Lake Carefree RV Resort and headed northwest on Huron 25. We came upon the town of Walton. It was declared “Motocross Town” in 2007 to honor the Walton TransCan GNC Motocross. As other tracks come and go, the track and tradition of Walton Motocross is one of the oldest in Canada. The land of the Walton motocross track was originally part of the acreage farmed by the Lee family. An early interest in motorcycles evolved into an interest in off-road riding. This led to the track becoming a local center of activity for many casual riders and aspiring competitors. The track was slowly turned into competition grade track. In the mid 70’s Molson Breweries sponsored a provincial championship series for experts and Walton was the favorite site of both fans and racers. Racers competing in the Molson series came from Sweden, Japan, England, Czechoslovakia, Finland, and of course across Canada and the USA. The track sat dormant until a new Lee generation was getting involved in the sport, so a two day event was organized in 1991. While reflecting about the success of the 1991 event, we noted that there was a lack of a really major, prestigious event (such as Loretta Lynn Amateur Nationals in the USA). A concept was born. Walton would hold an annual event drawing on all the best things in the sport, an annual coming together for bragging rights, a celebration of Canadian motocross! In 2003, the Extreme Sport Series came to the track. In 2004, for the first time in Canadian Motocross history a full line of women lined up for the women’s championship. A big facility change greets the very best riders in the country for the 2012 Walton TransCan. The 2013 Parts Canada TransCan continued with records crowds and great racing to make the week one of the best ever. Every year, over 30,000 visitors have full access to pro and amateur racing pits, where fans are welcomed to mingle with racers, get autographs and posters. Walton also hosts the biggest off-road motorcycle trade show in the country along with live entertainment, freestyle demos, riding demos, beer gardens, helicopter rides, hospitality tent and lots of contests, games and giveaways.

We also passed through Blyth. It is the center for the nationally acclaimed theatre, the Blyth Festival. Since its inception in 1975, it has premiered 121 Canadian plays. Plays developed at the Blyth Festival have won Governor General's Awards and a number of Chalmers Awards. It plays to audiences of between forty and fifty thousand annually. In 2001, Blyth won the Communities in Bloom National Award. This award recognizes civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and the challenge of a national program, with focus on enhancing green spaces in communities. “People, plants and pride… growing together” is their slogan. Established with the guidance of Britain in Bloom, Tidy Towns of Ireland and Villes et Villages Fleuris de France, Communities in Bloom held its first edition in 1995.

In Belgrave, we found the home of Extreme Bird Houses. Most of the bird houses are created using reclaimed wood.  A lot of this wood is not only decades old but in many cases centuries old!  Each birdhouse takes many, many hours and even days or weeks to build.  Woodworking is no business or hobby for the owner, it's his life, literally. Whether you stop to admire or buy, this is the place to do it. These beautiful structures have been recognized as some of the best birdhouses in the world, placing in every contest that they've entered.  You have visited to see just how incredible these monstrous bird mansions really are.

We saw the D L Farms Alpacas where alpacas insinuate themselves into your heart. It is a mid-sized farm in Bruce Country, Ontario, not far from Lake Huron. The alpaca came to this farming enterprise shortly after the owners retired from teaching. They purchased a bred Huacaya female and a male. The spell was cast and they were drawn into a world of alpaca personalities that mesmerize visitors and we as owners alike! They have been improving the genetics by actively participating in a breed-up program, which is working, as the progeny are placing in the show ring. Their present focus is breeding elite black animals. Anytime we find an alpaca farm, we think of our friends in Norwich New York, Brenda and Matt Thall and their Red Barn Alpaca NYfarm.

Looking for a little escape? The Rural Retreat is the answer! It operates from the Morrison’s century homestead on a 5th generation family farm. The farm property with woodland trails, vegetable & flower gardens, holistic health & wellbeing services, Juice Bar & Farm market, offers visitors a chance to experience what it feels like to just slowdown in this fast world. A visit to the retreat provides an opportunity for people to take a drive in the countryside, relax and enjoy the healing of the Retreat that is deeply rooted in the connection of Mother Earth & living in harmony with her. Everyone who takes the journey here has the opportunity to nourish the body, cultivate the mind and grow the spirit. This Morrison homestead is a Century Farm located in Kinloss Township. This 175 acre farm is one of the few farms which has remained under the same family name since it was taken out from the crown in 1875 to Samuel Morrison, Sr.

The town of Lucknow boasts of a strong Scottish character that dates back to the 19th century when it was home to the Lucknow Caledonian Games.  Lucknow has a statue that honors Donald Dinnie. He was a famous Scotsman who lived from 1837-1916. At age 16 he began entering athletic competitions, and was soon named "The Greatest Athlete of the World." During his 50 years as a competitor he entered 11,000 events, and was a regular participant at the Caledonia Games held in Lucknow. The statue in his honor is kind of freakish, with Dinnie having a dark brown body, a white mustache and lips, and a copper-colored kilt. In his right hand he has a throwing stone that he is getting ready to toss, and a rock-and-chain "hammer" lies at his feet. The village was named in 1858 out of respect for Colin Campbell, a fellow Scot who led the relief of Lucknow during the Sepoy Rebellion in India the previous year.  Several Lucknow streets such as Campbell, Ross, Otran, Havelock, Rose, and Canning are named for British army officers who fought in the Indian mutiny.  Today, picturesque Lucknow is home to over 1,100 residents with much to see and do.  Shaded walkways line the banks of the village’s three streams where anglers can catch rainbow and brook trout. 

Along the banks of Lake Huron, we passed many wind farms. We found the Ripley Wind Power Project and the Ripley Wind Farm. The $170-million Ripley wind farm in Ontario generates economical, clean power. Suncor Energy Products and Acciona Energia developed the wind power generation facility in Ripley. The project has 38 wind turbines and includes two power substations. The wind farm generates enough zero-emission electricity to power 24,000 homes, while offsetting 66,000 tons of carbon dioxide production.

The Tiverton Fall Fair is held annually in October. The theme for 2015 is “Sow it, Grow it, Show it.” The events included in the fall fair include an Ambassador competition, pie and cake auction, nightly entertainment, a pancake breakfast, parade, poultry show, miniature horse show, a petting zoo, antique tractor show, a midway, local entertainment and Saturday night dance. Also, a saddle horse show, track events, community worship service, Bush truck pull, beer garden, agricultural and home craft exhibits. There is definitely something for everyone at the Tiverton Fall Fair.

We passed through more Indian land. The Saugeen First Nation is located on the shores of the beautiful Lake Huron at the base of the Bruce Peninsula on Highway 21. The original people of Saugeen are Ojibway. They became known as Chippewa by people who could not pronounce the word Ojibway. Like other Aboriginal people in Canada, in the early 1970s the Chippewas of Saugeen began referring to their community as a "First Nation". One of the earliest documents recognizing Nation to Nation relations between the Crown and Indigenous peoples, the Royal Proclamation of 1763 stated "Indian land" could only be sold to the Crown. The permanent settlement at the outlet of the Saugeen River which lent its name to the region and its people was called Zaageeng, meaning "mouth of river."

We turned off 21 and headed out to Arran Lake Carefree RV Resort on a dirt and stone road. Turning into the park, you are greeted by a wide driveway with a peek at the lake. The driveway takes you into the resort and a better view of Arran Lake. Fishermen will find a variety of fish, including perch, lake trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, rainbow trout and sunfish. Whether tou are fly fishing, bait casting, spinning or trolling your chances of getting a bite here are very good. So grab your favorite fishing gear and make a reservation at Arran Lake Carefree RV Resort.     

Traveling 50 Miles from Silver Birches RV to Woodland RV, What Can You See?

You can see a lot! We enjoyed a few days of Lake Huron and its beautiful beaches. Silver Birches Carefree RV Resort offered us a chance to meet some of the seasonal residents, who treated us like we were longtime friends. We enjoyed morning coffee with them. It reminded us of being home at Majestic Oaks Carefree RV Resort and enjoying coffee with our friends. It is amazing how living in an RV resort can make everyone seem more like family than friends! We did enjoy a visit from friends that winter in Florida, Linda and Bert, it was great to see them! We took Route 21 from Silver Birches Carefree RV Resorts onto our next stop.

The Pinery Provincial Park is located along Route 21 before Grand Bend. It offers towering oak trees, flecks of golden sun on a carpet of leaves, shrubs, wildflowers and a rich abundance of unique and rare organisms; to many, this is Pinery. It contains much of the remaining Oak Savanna woodland found in North America. You can explore the unique ecosystem, along park roads, trails, beaches or through the quiet reaches of the Old Ausable Channel. The panoramic view from lookouts presents a seemingly endless forest canopy, meeting Lake Huron's brilliant blue waters on the horizon.

The Lambton Heritage Museum celebrates the history and heritage of the communities that make up Lambton County. The Museum is a popular destination for tourists and local residents alike. At the time of its founding, the Museum displayed just two private collections, but now it is home to more than 25,000 artifacts and 10,000 photographs depicting the history of Sarnia Lambton area. The Museum is also home to Canada’s largest collection of pressed glass. Visitors can discover the only horse-drawn ambulance in Ontario, explore historical buildings including a blacksmith shop, pioneer home and nineteenth century schoolhouse, or walk by the steam engine which supported the largest industry in Bosanquet for most of the last century. You can also see a rare stump puller produced by the Peterson Foundry in Sarnia; it is the only one of its kind remaining.  The museum’s antique engines and stoves include models not known to exist in any other collection, private or public. You will come to the conclusion that there are too many artifacts on display to absorb during one visit and will need to make a return visit. 

We left Highway 21 and turned onto Huron Route 83. Highway 83 passes through the communities of Dashwood, Thames Road and Farquhar, as well as the town of Exeter. Outside these locations, the surroundings of the former route consist of a mix of farmland and woodlots. West of Hay, is the Hay Swamp, a provincially significant wetland and conservation area. Hay Swamp is situated at the northern limit of the Carolinian Biotic Province and is categorized as 98% swamp and 2% marshland. Apart from the Ausable and the Black, its primary source of water is considered to be the local Wyoming Moraine aquifer. Hay Swamp is an important regional habitat for wildlife populations including white-tailed deer, great blue heron, ducks, geese, as well as a significant beaver presence. The swamp is also home to several plant species at risk, including green dragon and Riddell's goldenrod. Endangered fish and mussel species present in Hay Swamp include, eastern sand darter, greenside darter, northern riffle shell, snuffbox, wavy-rayed lamp mussel, rainbow mussel and kidney shell. The swamp contains several sites of abandoned 19th and early 20th century farms, including the location of the former community of Sodom. Hay Swamp is administered by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority.

The watersheds of Ausable Bayfield Conservation are located in Southwestern Ontario bordering the shores of Lake Huron. This conservation authority proudly carries the banner of being the first of 36 conservation authorities formed across Ontario. Municipalities in the Ausable River watershed formed the Ausable River Conservation Authority  (ARCA) in 1946 to deal with serious problems of local flooding, soil erosion, water supply, and water quality. The jurisdiction was enlarged to include the Bayfield River drainage basin in 1972 and the organization's name was changed to Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA). Ausable Bayfield Conservation encompasses the drainage basins of the Ausable River, Bayfield River, Parkhill Creek and the gullies between Bayfield and Grand Bend draining directly to Lake Huron.

While driving through Dashwood, town one may think that it is just another small village in rural Ontario; however, an examination of the history of the town shows that Dashwood is a unique and special place whose citizens share a legacy of industry, responsibility and a strong commitment to community. Dashwood was incorporated as a police village in 1900. This village can best be characterized as a town with a strong sense of community.  Residents of Dashwood and the surrounding rural area have time and again gathered together to support community needs and functions, whether it be to establish their own Municipal Hydro System, to raise money for the Community Centre and the Medical Centre, to raise money for the rebuilding of Zion Lutheran Church, to cheer on the Dashwood Tigers, the Dashwood Bears or the Bluewater Tug-of-War team, or to volunteer time and talents toward the successful running of Canada's Centennial Celebrations, Friedsburg Days and the International Plowing Match. A remarkable sense of industry, however, marks the early days of Dashwood. It was the lure of abundant water and of timber--virgin Hemlock and Blue Beech hardwood forest--which attracted the areas first settlers Absolem and Noah Fried. They purchased 150 acres in the Huron Tract of the Canada Company lands and built a stone grist mill and a saw mill. The name Dashwood was adopted for the new settlement combining the name Dash with wood, reflecting the staple of the community's economy. By the turn of the century Dashwood was a booming business center for the area with milling being at the center of the local economy.

We spent most of the day traveling through “Ontario’s West Coast.” Exeter is a Canadian community in the municipality of South Huron. The community proclaims itself the "Home of the White Squirrel", owing to the presence of the unusually-colored mammals. Exeter's mascot, "Willis The White Wonder" can be seen at many community events throughout the year, including Canada Day celebrations, the Exeter Rodeo, and the Santa Claus Parade. Exeter was first founded in the winter of 1832 by the Irish settlers James and Jane Willis accompanied by the explorer Sir Michael Jacques. By 1853, Exeter had grown into a community of over 300 with the help of Isaac Carling bringing immigrants from the Exeter and Devon areas of England. The original Carling homestead, a designated historical landmark still stands on Huron St. Paintings of some of Exeter's historical citizens, by the late artist Harry Burke, may be seen at the Exeter Legion Hall.

Exeter is also home to the Northlander Park Model Factory. Northlander is a family owned and operated business since 1964. Northlander Industries is a Canadian company, founded in tradition, quality, innovation and teamwork. It is owned and operated by the Hamather family, Northlander is in its 51st year of business. Many generations of family members have worked here since 1964. Carefree does have many Northlander park models in our communities.

We traveled by many farms and dairy farms today. Dairy farming is one of the largest agricultural sectors in Canada. Dairy has a significant presence in all of the provinces and is one of the top two agricultural commodities in seven out of ten provinces. In Canada in 2011, there were just shy of one million dairy cows on 13,000 farms across the country. Almost all the dairy produced in Canada is consumed in Canada, and almost all of Canadian dairy consumption is from Canadian farmers.

Along this route, there is the Morrison Dam Conservation Area. It is the perfect retreat for nature lovers. You can conduct a range of activities here from canoeing and fishing to hiking and cross-country skiing, in the winter! You can discover South Huron's beautiful hardwood and pine forests as you travel along a three mile loop! It is a very relaxing enjoyable place to commune with nature.

Turning off Route 11, we traveled to Woodland Lake Carefree RV Resort. Yes, it has a lake! It has many seasonal sites that surround the lake. It offered us a very large pull-thru site with some shade. It was a great place to ride bikes, enjoy the lake, visit with new found friends and enjoy the many activities the resort has to offer its residents and guests!

Traveling from Sherkston Shores to Silver Birches Carefree RV Resort, So Much to See!

We departed Sherkston Shores after a relaxing few days, that included touring the latest park model for sale there, the Black Diamond by General Coach. It is an ultra-modern park model! Some floor plans include spiral staircases, second story decks and two sided glass fireplaces! WOW! This is not your grandparent’s trailer! It is a great manufacturer, a perfect lay-out partnered with a top of the line vacation destination!

We traveled on Highway 3 West for a good portion of our day. It looks like it would be a great road to travel!

We discovered the Humberstone Speedway. It is home to the Sportsman Super DIRTcar series, RUSH Late Models, Street Stocks, Pro 4 Trucks and Mini Stocks. All of their races are simulcast on 90.3FM. Anytime we see these small local tracks, it reminds us of our friends, Ken & Anne who love the dirt tracks!

The beautiful Cottonwood Mansion is a must see. It is on farmland north of Selkirk, Ontario,

and was built around 1865 by William Holmes Jr on property inherited by his first wife, Mary (Hoover). Many of the subsequent owners lived only in the back part (servant’s quarters and kitchen) and the main building gradually deteriorated. In 1988 the property was purchased by an interested Hoover descendant, Larry Hamilton. He set about the difficult task of restoring it, established the Cottonwood Mansion Preservation Foundation, and built his own apartment behind the Mansion. No one knows for sure where the Cottonwood name comes from, but it is listed as such in the Historical Atlas of Haldimand … County, 1877. In recent years cottonwood trees have been planted around the perimeter of what remains of the original property. In February of 1989 the Cottonwood Mansion Preservation Foundation was established to restore the Mansion and to secure artifacts for it that reflected the Victorian and Edwardian periods. In 1994 the bulk of the restoration was completed. Dedicated volunteers and some paid professionals continue to make the mansion a living, hands-on museum. The Mansion is growing in popularity and is becoming a ‘must-see’ location for history buffs and tourists from near and far.

Off of Route 3, we headed North on Route 24. We would have liked to take Route 3 further west, but it is very slow going and this is one of our longest days of travel! So, we are heading up to the four-lane highways!

Tobacco fields in Ontario? Is that what I really see? In 2008, there was a chance to get out of the tobacco industry for good. High taxes and increased contraband had already sapped demand for Canadian-grown tobacco. As a result, there were simply too many tobacco farmers with quotas to fill and not enough buyers. With a $1-billion settlement from Imperial Tobacco and Rothman’s Benson & Hedges, the quota system ended and they offered a $300-million program to transition tobacco farmers into other crops. The catch was anyone who takes the money can’t return to tobacco farming. It seemed to work, estimates say 90% of the farmers took up the offer. But then something interesting happened. Production in the years since increased over 140%, while the number of acres devoted to the crop doubled. In 2012 the federation noted that farmers had figured out a way around the conditions in the transition program. By signing control of his farm to relatives, a farmer could resume growing tobacco. It’s still the most lucrative cash crop you can grow per acre. In 2016 about 250 farmers will be licensed to grow the crop. It’s a slight increase over 2015, but they don’t expect the number to grow much higher. Many of the farmers who took the buyout sold their equipment and kilns to American growers. Companies like Grand River Enterprises, a cigarette manufacturer and tobacco processor based in Six Nations, Ontario would like to change that. Currently, Grand River has a contract to ship about 12 million pounds of tobacco to China. The Tobacco Transition Program created a more diverse agricultural base in the growing area. However, a few years ago, you really had to drive around to find a tobacco field, now they are out there, and you don’t have to drive far to see them.

We had to travel on a few four-lane expressways to get across Ontario in a timely manner. We traveled on 403 West and 401 West.

I saw a sign off the 401 and had to check it out … Wally World at East Park. That immediately took me back to my youth and the Chevy Chase movie, of the same name! Before Wally World, there was just East Park. It has been a constant in the London area for over 50 years. It is a place where people make time to “play”. Whether they are hitting a little white ball down a fairway or sailing down a waterslide, visitors and Londoners have made “playtime” a priority. That is why East Park has become London’s Place to Play! It begs the questions … what brought the 10 prominent London families together in 1963 to create East Park. With the vision and foresight of Roy James and the other founding partners including his son Roscoe, Mowbray Sifton and James Windsor and the inspiration provided by T.J. Branton, the first owner of the property who had dreams of a Country Club Style resort he called Branton Acres – East Park was launched on its path of ‘fun’ for the first 50 years. In its early days, East Park was mostly about golf. There was also a larger-than-usual mini-golf course called Putt-R-Golf. Over time the original owners started adding new attractions such as batting cages, waterslides and a go-kart track. In 1988, Harry Stone and his son Ian, along with Neil Kapp purchased the park from its founders. The new owners kept the long standing tradition of evolving and changing the park. First, by adding a bridge to the go kart track, then in 1997 a 2nd mini golf course was added. In 2000, the indoor Intencity Fun Centre was added that included rock climbing, bumper cars, a jungle gym play area as well as a video arcade, a concession and bar. In 2004, the Wally World at East Park Waterpark was opened to complement the existing 2 slide structure along with a splash pad and a 2 ½ story water climber with tipping bucket was also added. Other innovative programs include the East Park Corporate Challenge, various Team Building Events and now, the very popular East Park Amazing Race. Of course, Golf Tournaments and Corporate & Family Picnics are still a mainstay of the summer happening at the park.

In 1901, Prohibition began in Canada through a provincial legislation in Prince Edward Island. In 1916, prohibition was instituted in Ontario as well, affecting all 64 breweries in the province. Although some provinces totally banned alcohol manufacture, some permitted production for export to the United States. Labatt survived by producing full strength beer for export south of the border and by introducing two "temperance ales" with less than two per cent alcohol for sale in Ontario. However, the Canadian beer industry suffered a second blow when Prohibition began in the U.S. in 1919. When Prohibition was repealed in Ontario in 1926, just 15 breweries remained and only Labatt retained its original management. This resulted in a strengthened industry position. In 1945 Labatt became a publicly traded company with the issuance of 900,000 shares. John and Hugh Labatt, grandsons of founder John K. Labatt, launched Labatt 50 in 1950 to commemorate 50 years of partnership. The first light ale introduced in Canada, Labatt 50 was Canada’s best-selling beer until 1979. In 1951, Labatt launched its Pilsener Lager; when it was introduced in Manitoba, the beer was nicknamed "Blue" for the color of its label and the company's support of Winnipeg's CFL franchise, the Blue Bombers. The nickname stuck and in 1979 Labatt Blue claimed top spot in the Canadian beer market. It lost this status in the late eighties to Molson Canadian, but over the next decade, periodically regained top spot as consumer preferences fluctuated. In 2004, Budweiser took the top spot, pushing Blue to third for the first time in twenty-five years. Moreover, Labatt Blue remains the best-selling Canadian beer in the world based upon worldwide sales. Labatt's innovations include the introduction of the first twist-off cap on a refillable bottle in 1984.

We got off the four-lane highway of 402 West onto Route 21 North. It was great to not have the cars and trucks whizzing past you, and be back to a slower pace!

Off Route 21, we turned onto Army Camp Road. It looks like there used to be an Army installation there. So, I did some research. It used to be called Military Camp Ipperwash. It is a former Canadian Forces training facility. In 1941 the Department of National Defense identified a requirement for an army training facility in southwestern Ontario. There was a large parcel comprising the eastern third of the Stoney Point Reserve, controlled by the Chippewas Stoney Point First Nation. Camp Ipperwash was formed 1942 on this land using land expropriation. By July 1942, sixteen Stony Point families had been moved further west to Kettle Point, giving DND full access to the new military training area. Following the end of World War II, DND indicated it was willing to return the majority of the expropriated land and would lease back any areas that were still required for training, however this offer was refused. It was generally thought that Camp Ipperwash would be identified as surplus to DND's requirements, which would enable the expropriated property to be returned to the Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point. However, this was not the case and Camp Ipperwash remained in use as a training facility by the regular and reserve forces of the Canadian Army, and as a summer training centre for the Royal Canadian Army Cadets. In 1972, the Minister of Indian Affairs stated the land claim for the expropriation was valid, however DND still did not relinquish control. Through the 1970s to 1993, Ipperwash saw use as a firing range training facility for the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, Primary Reserve units, local and provincial

police and the Canadian Cadet Movement. During the late 1980s, the Stoney Point First Nation began to pressure the federal and provincial governments to revert ownership of the entire property as per the 1941 expropriation agreement. The adjacent land at Ipperwash Provincial Park was claimed by the Stoney Point First Nation and was reputed to contain a burial ground. In May 1993, members of the Stoney point First Nation began an occupation of the property, setting up tents on the firing ranges in a bid to pressure the federal government to revert ownership. The military identified the base as surplus and agreed to transfer the facility to the Stoney Point First Nation by 1995. The caretaker staff departed on July 29, 1995 when the Canadian Forces decommissioned the facility. Following the military's departure, natives became more vocal over the following days and weeks in demanding the ownership revert. The shooting death of Stoney Point First Nation protester Dudley George by the Ontario Provincial Police has come to be known as the Ipperwash Crisis. The federal government and Stoney Point First Nation reached an agreement on the transfer of the IRTA on June 18, 1998. Most of the World War II era "temporary" buildings on IRTA remain, however some are in use by the Stoney Point First Nation.

Just down Army Camp Road you arrive at Silver Birches Carefree RV Resort. It is a nice sized campground tucked away in the woods. There is plenty of sunshine and green grass, but it is nicely shaded at the same time. The campground roads are set up in a figure eight, so it is one way in and one way out, which is great for your safety and security! Less than one mile down Army Camp Road from the campground is several public access beaches on beautiful Lake Huron. We road our bikes down on the wide shoulder of the road and enjoyed the calm water and clean beaches!

 

What is between Woodstream Family Campground and Sherkston Shores Carefree RV Resort?

Woodstream Family Campground is a great place to camp with a group. It is located on the shores of East Koy Creek. Wyoming County’s East Koy Creek runs right through the campground. It is a prime trout fishing creek for its generous access and propensity for growing large brown trout. East Koy pools average about 20 feet across and 2 to 4 feet deep. We enjoyed a weekend of camping there.

Departing Woodstream we worked our way to Route 19, heading north. Along this route there are many, many windmills south of the town of Rock Glen. What makes an area good for a wind farm? With the hills and valleys of Wyoming County, a complex and highly variable wind regime is created. Trees and buildings can add to the complexity of the wind on a smaller scale. Hills,

plateaus and bluffs provide high ground on which to raise a wind turbine into an area of higher wind speeds. Valleys, which are lower and sheltered, generally have lower wind speeds. However, all valleys are not necessarily poor wind sites. When the wind turbines are oriented parallel to the wind flow, valleys may channel and improve the wind resource. A constriction to the valley may further enhance wind flow by funneling the air through a smaller area. A wind turbine located on a hill may produce power all night, while one located at a lower elevation stands idle. Understand why the hills of Wyoming County are perfect for wind power?

Entering the village of Warsaw is a Kodak moment. It is nestled in the picturesque valley at the crossroads of State Route 19 and 20A. The surrounding hills provide a changing backdrop with each season. It offers the white of winter snow, the lush greens of spring and summer and the colorful display of fall foliage. The hills into and out of Warsaw are steep and not for the “big rigs”. We saw an 18 wheeler in town with smoking hot breaks! We turned onto 20A in Warsaw and headed due west!

You pass through many small towns as you

traverse the hills. Varysburg is a small town with a large haunting history! The Varysburg Hotel had an episode of “Behind the Shadows” filmed there. The Hotel originally built as a Saddle Barn in 1856 and was converted to a stage coach stop in 1886. A town fire in 1908 caused the structure to burn to the ground. In 1909 the building was rebuilt and continued its existence as a local hotel, offering shelter to wayward travelers throughout the region. The Varysburg Hotel has long been believed to be haunted. Some of the better known apparitions include a “man in a blue jacket,” a small child who runs up and down the staircase at odd intervals, and a white-haired woman said to spend her time down in the Varysburg Hotel basement.

The town of East Aurora has been previously covered in other blogs of mine. But did you know that East Aurora is also the birthplace of and was home to the Corporate Headquarters for Fisher-Price, from 1987 to 2007.  The Fisher-Price village and the Toy Town Museum held an annual Toyfest Festival, which included a parade featuring giant replicas of classic Fisher-Price toys. The three-day event included rides, circus-like attractions and a Fisher-Price play area where children could play. Sadly, the museum closed in 2009.

East Aurora was the home of the inaugural owner of the NHL Franchise Buffalo Sabres, Seymour H. Knox III. The Knox Estates, now known as Knox Farm, is a 600-acre New York State park. It is located on the north-west edge of the village. The park is made up of a variety of habitats, including 400 acres of pastures and hayfields, 100 acres of woodlands, ponds and several wetland areas. While at Knox Farm you can observe wildlife, hike, cross-country ski and ride horseback along beautifully scenic nature trails. Be sure to visit the Knox Farm Visitor Center. It contains exhibits of historic and natural interest. 

The next town on Route 20A is Orchard Park, however it was not always Orchard Park. In 1803, Didymus C. Kinney and wife Phebe purchased land and built a cabin in the southwest corner of the township which has since been turned into a museum. The following year, a migration of the Quaker settlers began. The town was first named Ellicott, after Joseph Ellicott, an agent of the Holland Land Company. Within months, the name was changed to the town of East Hamburgh. Around 1934, the town was renamed Orchard Park after its principal settlement. In the early 1900s, a large fire burned down most of the central part of the village of Orchard Park.

Orchard Park is also home of the Buffalo Bills and Ralph Wilson Stadium (originally Rich Stadium), which opened in 1973. An original franchise of the American Football League in 1960, the Buffalo Bills played their first thirteen seasons at War Memorial Stadium, a minor league baseball park in downtown Buffalo. In early 1971, owner Ralph Wilson was exploring options to relocate the team, possibly to Seattle, with other cities such as Memphis and Tampa soon expressing interest as well. The potential loss of the team hastened the stadium project and Rich Stadium opened in 1973. Rich Products, a Buffalo-based food products company, signed a 25-year, $1.5 million deal ($60,000 per year), by which the venue would be called "Rich Stadium"; one of the earliest examples of the sale of naming rights in North American sports. After the original deal expired after a quarter century in 1998, the stadium was renamed in honor of Wilson.

We turned onto Route 62 North and entered the village of Blasdell. The name is derived from Herman Blasdell, the first station master of the Erie and Pennsylvania railroad depot. The village considers itself the "Gateway to the Southtowns" of Erie County. The community grew as a railroad town around the Erie Railroad.

Lackawanna was the next town we drove into. Originally part of the Buffalo Creek Reservation, the area was not open to settlement until 1842 when the land was sold by the Seneca Indians. In 1851 the town of Seneca was formed, the name was changed to West Seneca in 1852, with the area now known as Lackawanna being called West Seneca or Limestone Hill. Lackawanna was a center of steel manufacturing throughout most of the 20th century. In 1899 all the land along the West Seneca shore of Lake Erie was purchased by the Lackawanna Steel Company. Construction was started in 1900 and the plant began operation in 1903. The Lackawanna Steel Company moved to the area in 1902 later. The Lackawanna Steel Company was acquired by the Bethlehem Steel Company in 1922. With the 20th century growth of the Bethlehem Steel plant, at one time the largest in the world, came the continued growth of the city and its institutions. In recent years, efforts have been made to convert the former steel plant brownfields to other uses. The site does have a diversity of tenants; some occupy buildings remaining from the former steel plant and a few in newer buildings. Wind turbines were built on the former Bethlehem Steel property in 2007.

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens were originally called the South Park Conservatory. Upon opening in 1900, the conservatory was the third largest public greenhouse in the United States and was ranked as the ninth largest in the world. The 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo helped to spur the success of the South Park Conservatory by providing trolley rides from downtown Buffalo to the conservatory. Tens of thousands of people visited the breathtaking conservatory and delighted in the exotic collection of plants and flowers. The South Park Conservatory continued to grow both literally and figuratively throughout the early 1900s and six greenhouses were added in 1905. In 1929, the City of Buffalo considered demolishing the conservatory due to poor management, low attendance and structural disrepair. Fortunately in 1930 federal funding became available to help repair the conservatory, which allowed the renovation of the deteriorating building. Post Great Depression and WWII, the Botanical Gardens' budget was reduced in the 1940s partly due to the drastic decline in attendance. However, by the 1950s there was a rejuvenation of interest in the South Park Conservatory and visitor attendance increased. The future of the conservatory was once again threatened when the infamous blizzard of 1977 damaged the conservatory. Fortunately in 1979, passionate group of citizens and volunteers rallied to raise public awareness about the conservatory. This effort resulted in the creation of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society, Inc. In 1980 Erie County purchased the conservatory and the surrounding acres within South Park from the City of Buffalo for $1. This called for a name change, thus creating the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. If you truly enjoy the beauty of horticultural, this is the place to visit!

We got off the two lane roads and headed onto the 190 around downtown Buffalo. We noticed a place that our sister-in-law, Judy and many friends would like to go, Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino. It is located in the heart of downtown Buffalo's growing Inner Harbor area. It offers you gaming excitement in an intimate environment. The casino features 808 slot machines and 18 game tables of Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, and Three Card Poker. This casino plays an important role in the development of downtown Buffalo. Opened in 2007, the name Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino refers to the Seneca Nation of Indians' original Buffalo Creek Territory, which occupied lands surrounding the current nine-acre casino site. To help encourage the growth and development of the surrounding neighborhoods, the Seneca Nation and Seneca Gaming Corporation recently established a $1 million fund to support beautification and community revitalization projects in the area surrounding the casino.

We once again crossed the Buffalo and Fort Erie Peace Bridge. This trip I learned that a major obstacle to building the bridge was the swift river current, which averages 7.5 to 12 miles per hour. Construction began in 1925 and was completed almost 2 years later. On March 13, 1927, the first car drove across the bridge. On June 1, 1927, the bridge was opened to the public. When the bridge opened, Buffalo and Fort Erie each became the chief port of entry to their respective countries from the other. At the time it was the only vehicular bridge on the Great Lakes from Niagara Falls to Minnesota.

We followed the coast of Lake Erie along Lakeshore Drive. Along this route, you can visit Old Fort Erie, home of Canada's Bloodiest Battlefield. There are over 200 years of living history within the walls of Old Fort Erie. The first fort built in Ontario by the British, in 1764 during Pontiac’s Rebellion. A base for British troops, Loyalist Rangers and Iroquois Warriors during the American Revolution. Canada’s bloodiest field of battle with over 3000 troops killed and wounded during the Siege of Fort Erie in 1814. The fort was also a major crossing point into Canada for the Underground Railroad. It was occupied by the Irish Republican Army, (the Fenians) during their largest raid in 1866.

Along this two lane road, you can gain access to Waverly Beach. It offers you a little of everything for the true nature and history lover. There are beautiful view of the Buffalo Waterfront Wind Turbines, grassy woodland trails and a sandy beach bordered by the beautiful remains of the historical Waverly Beach pool and dance hall. It is a great place to spend the day or just a few hours. Parallel to this route is the Friendship Trail, a path in Ontario County. It extends across the Town of Fort Erie, running parallel to the north shore of Lake Erie. From Port Colborne border in the west, this relaxing and picturesque trail takes visitors through lush farmland, quaint villages, pristine watersheds, and quiet residential areas as it ends at the historic Old Fort Erie. The trail provides easy access to the lakeshore and beaches, as well as commercial and recreational facilities, including Crystal Beach and Sherkston. Much of the trail is located upon an abandoned rail line. The trail is used by walkers, hikers, cyclists and roller bladers in the summer, and hikers and cross-country skiers in the winter.

Along the north shore of Lake Erie, the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s is a partially forested, 30-acre property at Point Abino Woods secures a future for the rare birds, reptiles and amphibians known to inhabit this highly significant natural area. The shoreline has become increasingly threatened by development encroachment from both the east and west. The land in this area is largely in private ownership and much of the adjacent area has been developed for seasonal recreation. The remaining natural area consists of a highly diverse mixture of mature woodland, beach and dunes, wetland, scrubland, and globally rare alvar. Point Abino Woods is a priority area for forest birds. Rare birds documented in the area include red-headed woodpecker, cerulean warbler, Acadian flycatcher, and hooded warbler. Point Abino is also known for its reptiles with rare turtles such as Blanding’s turtle observed here as well as milksnake and eastern hog-nosed snake.

Near the eastern end of Lake Erie, Point Abino juts out from the Canadian shore, creating a serious navigational hazard. One of the early residents of the point was Father Claude Aveneau, a Jesuit missionary working with the native First Nation, and the point’s name is a corruption of his name – this helps explain the interesting way Abino is pronounced by locals. In 1898 the Buffalo Courier recorded an early request for a lighthouse on Point Abino. Point Abino, however, is in Canadian territory, and as there are few Canadian boats interested in the matter of a lighthouse there, it would be almost a miracle were one ever erected. The Shipmasters’ Association petitioned the United States government in 1907 to place a lightship in American waters, just over the international boundary line off Point Abino, to serve as a guide for vessels approaching the port of Buffalo. A bill was introduced in Congress that same year, but it failed to pass. Three years later, a lighthouse bill approved in 1910 authorized construction of a lightship to be stationed between Sturgeon, New York and Point Abino. A ninety-five-foot-long, steel-hulled vessel was placed on station off Point Abino on August 3, 1912 as a means to mark the approach to Buffalo. In November 1913, two massive storm fronts converged on the Great Lakes producing what is now referred to as the “Big Blow,” the “Freshwater Fury,” the “White Hurricane,” and most commonly the “Great Storm of 1913.” The most destructive natural disaster ever to hit the Great Lakes, this blizzard with hurricane-force winds caused major shipwrecks on all the lakes except Lake Ontario. The lightship stationed off Port Abino was lost. Two other lightships were stationed off Point Abino until 1918. A new combined lighthouse and fog alarm building went into operation October 1917. The station is located on the flat limestone beach, 225 feet south from the wooded shore on the south extremity of the point, with a keeper’s dwelling house erected nearby. This light is elevated 87 feet above the water and is visible 15 miles. A 1969 article in the Buffalo Courier-Express noted that while automation, as relentless as an auctioneer’s hammer and his cry of “going-going-gone,” had claimed most of the lighthouses on the Great Lakes, Lewis Anderson was still serving as keeper of the Point Abino Lighthouse. Anderson’s job lasted longer than just a few more years. He was retained as keeper until the light was automated in 1989, and then continued to serve as a caretaker. Point Abino Lighthouse was discontinued in 1995. The significance of Point Abino Lighthouse, which was built in a Classic Revival style, was recognized when the lighthouse was declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 1998.

Beach Road runs you into Empire Road and on into Sherkston Shores, where we were set to spend a few days. There is much to do at the resort, or you can venture out to some of the surrounding areas we toured on our way there. If you are going to stay at Sherkston Shores Carefree RV Resort, be sure to check out the variety of vacation homes there are for sale. Owning at Sherkston Shores is a great way to extend your vacation from a short stay to a lifetime of vacation with friends and family.