An Adventurous Day - Bluewater Park

We headed out yesterday on our longest day trip yet, stopping in Wiarton, Petrel Point and Oliphant.  It was a glorious late summer day, and we enjoyed all our stops, as well as the drive itself.  The first stop was Bluewater Park, on the beach in Wiarton, where we fought off the 'attack seagulls' to have our picnic lunch in peace.

This Ring-billed Gull led the way, hopping to within 2 or 3 feet to pick up crumbs.  The trick is to stare them down.  At least we weren't subjected to attacks from the air this time.  

We followed the boardwalk out to the end at the Rotary lookout away from the crowds.  I think that's the resting and staging area for the gulls in the distance where they rest up before picking on the next innocent visitor!  The gear adjustments on my new wheelchair which give me a 'Ramp' gear with high torque enabled me to bump up onto the boardwalk quite neatly.

The view out of the long, deep Colpoy's Bay into Georgian Bay is spectacular!  We're probably looking at Hay Island in the distance, one of three islands that occupy the opening into Georgian Bay.  The others are White Cloud and Griffith, with their interesting historical legends.

A closer look shows a large sailboat heading northeast.  Around the corner is Big Bay, site of the 'World's Best Stone Skipping Beach'.and I think that must the just the corner of White Cloud Island.

 On the left is Malcolm Bluff, and two sailboats much closer to hand.

An interesting smaller sailboat with double sails slid past on the far side of the pier.  Sorry I don't know enough about sailing to know what this configuration of sails is called.

Unfortunately the pier itself is currently inaccessible due to high water levels, though it looked as if the outer end was still above water.

This route to get to the pier was certainly not above water!  Note the inaccessible bench on the far right; last year this was dry land.

The Canada Geese didn't mind though.

And this is one for the books - a domestic duck on a leash!  Must be an interesting background story to this!

Next stop Petrel Point.