The Stone Skipping Capital of Canada

A week ago or more ago it was a beautiful day, so we decided to take a drive, this time up to Big Bay, the 'Stone Skipping Capital of Canada'.  It was a place we've visited many times before, and we always enjoy it.  But when I started this post Blogger decided to upload all my pictures backwards!  I'm going to try and fix it. .... There. this time they got it right!

This one has nothing to do with Big Bay.  It's a painting of me canoeing in the outer delta of the French River about 15 years ago.  I took it when I was trying to figure out how to turn off the 'Live' function on my new phone camera.  But it's also one of my favourite memories.

The day was gloriously sunny, with thin wispy cirrus clouds when we set out..

And hour and a half later we arrived.  I headed out to the pier, while Mrs. F.G. headed out to search for flat round rocks.

This is that famous beach.  Not a bit of sand in sight just smallish flat worn rocks, perfect for stone skipping.  The bay is a huge crescent of rocks.

A closer look - these rocks are worn down from the thin layers of the Manitoulin Formation, a thin-bedded dolostone below the chunky upper layers of the Niagara Escarpment.

The small waves were lapping gently against the boat ramp as I went out onto the pier.

Just a few Goldenrod rooted among the huge boulders that protect the pier from winter ice.  The bigger bay beyond the immediate waters is Colpoys Bay, which extends more than 12 kilometers to the left of this picture, down to the town of Wiarton.  This island is one of three out here, the mysterious Griffith Island.

Then down below the Goldenrod I spotted a flower which I always look for at this time of year, the beautiful  purple New England Aster.  So far this year I've found none, so I was glad to see it here.

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