On day 4 of our canoe trip, we headed off across Ox Bay in search of the 'Elephants'. These are apparently huge rocks that somehow remind one of elephants. We never did find them, but we had a wonderful paddle exploring the shoreline.
The sun was shining brightly as we headed out, gleaming off the water. It turned out to be a beautiful day.
We spent most of the time puttering along the shoreline once we got across the bay, a typical northern rocky shoreline, with White Pine and Red Maple.
The White Pine, growing right out of the rock, is the iconic symbol of this country for me.
We found a campsite (hardly anyone camping at this time of year), but pulled in for lunch. We were exploring these huge bare bedrock hogsbacks. Didn't really look like elephants, but they were big rocks!
From the top you could look out into Ox Bay to the west - gives you a good idea of what the French River delta looks like. Ox Bay is where the French and the Pickerel Rivers mix and mingle before heading out to Georgian Bay together. The two white buildings in the distance are the lodge we stayed at.
One of my canoe buddies wanted to try out my little single canoe. I think he enjoyed it!
The solid bedrock captured a bit of water in the low spots, moss grew, and on top of that we got a little patch of Cotton Grass, and then some Cranberry. Yes, that's a real wild cranberry.
Sharkbytes asked about this picture I posted yesterday. These are veins of rock, obviously harder than the surrounding rock, standing out about 6-8" from the other bedrock.
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For those of you who missed it and have asked, we're moving to trade a summer of gardening and property maintenance for time to travel, explore, take more photos, and write. We're also trading winter isolation in the snowy highlands for accessibility in town. The house is new, but the yard is tiny! It will be a challenge for Mrs. F.G. to design a garden, but lots of fun I'm sure. We'll be in the town of Meaford, which is on Georgian Bay, so expect more pictures of the bay, in all its moods! Two sleeps left.
Good reasons to move, FG.
ReplyDeleteThe tree in the third photo is spectacular!
Those large flat rocky shorelines are very unique. As is the tree growing out of the rocks. Happy move!
ReplyDeleteThe elephants were off exploring in their own canoes.
ReplyDeleteSo anxious to see pictures of your new place as well as Georgian Bay. Your countdown is very exciting too!
ReplyDeleteThe excitement of a move and setting up, decorating, designing the gardens and lots more traveling. Hope all gores well and you enjoy.
ReplyDeleteGreat pix! The only time I saw that shoreline was on a rainy and windy day when we drove along it. I know where Meaford is! We may have driven through there. We turned south and ended up in Guelph somewhere, but I don't remember what roads we took. I'm sure I wanted back roads and Om probably didn't. Maybe we compromised.
ReplyDeleteHello, gorgeous views and scenery. Lovely photos. I think you will enjoy having to take care of less and do more traveling. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteI love to see trees growing out of cracks in the rocks. I smiled when I saw the title of your post and hope that one day you will find those elephants. Thanks for the tour! :-)
ReplyDeletethe resilience of the white pine is remarkable, this landscape in this area is beautiful. 2 sleeps left, i love that...i always do that in december, when i am waiting for santa ;)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful river shots ... love that rocky shoreline. I definitely have this area in mind for next year now. With moving into the new house in the fall, Mrs G has all winter to plan the gardens and see where the sun and shade are. Best wishes for an uneventful move :)
ReplyDeleteWendy
Your recent photos fill me with longing to return to the area. Georgian Bay, and yes, the French River, make my heart swell. Your photos are magnificent!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck this weekend. I had cousins in Meaford.
Found your blog thanks to Sharkbytes nominating you for a blog award (I was the one who gave it to her). Adding you to my daily blog reader list!
ReplyDeleteMagnificent landscapes!
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos. I really like those huge rocks.
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful with all those Autumn colours.
ReplyDeleteHow did you get onto the huge rock? Super white pine photos, and the rock formations, what a great place to be, 2 sleeps!!!
ReplyDeleteSome of those rocks certainly could qualify as elephants' backs. We have a similar looking formation called "The Whaleback".
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