Well, I am home. Unfortunately I have come home early. Due to severe rain on the way, car noises, and sleeping alone at night I decided to head home early. I did not go the Chutes and through Manitoulin Island. I debated and debated about it but considering being alone I think I made a good decision. It would have been great to see the island in the summer but it was not meant to be. I had to try to get something of a vacation.Here are the camping experiences I did have, though...
My first two days were spent at Awenda Provincial Park. I did some hiking and toured Saint Marie Among the Hurons. I have included just my camping pictures here, though. The trees were covered in fuzzy caterpillars (ew!), I was paid a visit by a raccoon and it rained heavily my second night so packing up the next morning was not fun! The raccoon was very brazen. He walked right up to me while I was sitting at the camp fire. His visit put me off my sleep the first night! Here is my campsite, my fire and a picture of the beach during my hike. Georgian Bay is sooo beautiful.
My second camp ground was Killbear Provincial Park. Again, I stayed two nights. My camp site was on Georgian Bay so I have included a picture of my view. Spectacular! I will definitely return to this park. My only misgiving was the thought of bears while I was sleeping. Needless to say, what sleep?!
Oh, did I say that I set up in a rush because of the threat of more rain?!
The chipmunks were very friendly and I did the Thirty-Thousand Islands cruise. I can't say it enough - spectacular. I would have a cottage here in a heart beat!
The wind really picked up and the night temperature was around 12 degrees. With the dampness I was cold sleeping that night. The following day on my way to the next campground I bought another sleeping bag.
My last camp ground was Grundy Lake Provincial Park. I set up my campsite in the rain, again! My first night was a little boring since all I could do was set up and go for little walks in between the raindrops. I sat and read in the car that first night - too wet for a fire. I was visited at night by a growling, snorting animal that chased another animal. Don't ask me to tell you what it was since I was too afraid to check. It was either a bear or a big raccoon. Needless to say, again, I did not get a lot of sleep. The next day the sun was shining so I spent the day hiking,reading and sketching. What a lovely day. My campsite was right on a lake and there were three loons on the lake. Another breath-taking view. My last night the wind picked up again and threatened rain. In the morning I got up early to quickly pack. I packed just in time for the rain did indeed roll in. I headed home rather than go any further. Setting up in rain and looking at the upcoming possible taking down in rain did not thrill me.
Overall, I had a lovely time. I always enjoy camping and sleeping in a tent, although I would have been more comfortable with having some company at night. I learned a valuable lesson - I can set up a campsite and manage all by myself but I would be a much happier camper having company to sleep with at night. Too many noises in bear country doesn't sit well with my imagination. Rain and an active imagination did me in!
