Last Sunday afternoon we decided to go for another drive, and this time we ended up at Sauble Beach. This is one of Ontario's most beautiful beaches, an 11 kilometre stretch of sand on Lake Huron, almost directly to the west of us. It's the second longest beach in Ontario, after Wasaga Beach, directly to the east of us.
We actually rented a cottage here about 40 years ago. It was a tiny little building, but it was right on the water. However, we've never been back since, so we wondered what it would be like.
We started out going west on this drive, aiming for straight through Owen Sound. This is the valley of Keefer Creek.
Then it was down over the cliff of the Niagara Escarpment, and into the valley of Owen Sound.
After a stop at Tim's to pick up hot chocolate, we eventually ended up at the north end of the beach. As you can see, this is one of the access points, and that sign on the right is emblematic of the efforts they're put into policing the beach - no dogs, no fires, no littering, and above all, no vehicles. When we visited cars drove up and down on the beach and parked there - what a change!
The result is that dunes have built up substantially; in fact you hardly ever get a glimpse of the lake, even though we were driving down Lakeshore Blvd. the road closest to the lake.
This is the main public access point, with washrooms. As you can see, this part of the beach is owned by the Saugeen First Nation. There has been a long extended lawsuit here, finally settled in favour of the first nation.
Going out on the ice is one of the biggest dangers on this beach.
For the most part our drive just extended past dune after dune; you'd never know Lake Huron was out there!
Finally, at a low point between the dunes, we did see the lake, and two people, apparently trying to fly a kite. And that was the end of our drive down Sauble Beach. We have little inclination to return.
What a change! You remind me that near Sarnia there was an Ipperwash Beach, I think on the reserve. I wonder if that is still the case. I think I was on Sauble or near to it a very long time ago. I was taken by residents from up that way. And I certainly remember cars at Wasaga.
ReplyDeleteI always love seeing that one LONG road!!!
ReplyDeleteLots of changes in the last 40 years.
Though it will be full of Tourists at the beach, revisiting it throughout the Summer might brighten your views on it again.
ReplyDeleteStay Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
What do they say about "you can't go home again"? An old inn (built in 1909) where five generations of our family had stayed, beginning in the 1920s, recently burned to the ground -- we'll never go back again.
ReplyDeleteThe older I get the more I understand that!
DeleteThat had to be disappointing. It reminds me of our drive down the A1A in Florida. In the early 70s when I was there it was beautiful, lots or water views, but last year the shore is so built up with houses and high rises, or in a very few spots with high dunes, that you can't see the water at all. Only at Flagler Beach was there a nice long run of ocean views.
ReplyDeleteThings and scenery change over time, seems like they are never as great as we recall.
ReplyDeleteIt looked like a nice day for a drive, but disappointing that the beach wasn't accessible.
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ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that the beach is being better protected. We were there long ago.
ReplyDeleteThere is a sense of freedom when one looks at your shots of the open road stretching on and on....
Nice days drive. Too bad certain things changed.
ReplyDeleteThere's something about that road in the second picture that made me go back and look at it a couple of times.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing the endless road and hope you visit again when the snow is melted.
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