Dorcas Bay - Singing Sands

 We drove down the highway from Tobermory as far as Dorcas Bay, a large bay on the west side of the peninsula known for its Jack Pine forest on the dunes, and a large wetland described as a 'fen', one of the rarest habitats in southern Ontario..  My first trip up here in 1962 coincided with the Federation of Ontario Naturalists buying this gem from a bankrupt developer.  I've visited here many times but not of course in the past 8 years since I became paralyzed.  Now it's part of the national park and things have changed!

Here the National Park has taken over, building new parking, and controlling beach access with a new walkway and boardwalk.  This was the surprise of the trip, to say the least!

Replacing the narrow gravel lane I remember, leading to half a dozen parking spaces, is controlled access, with parking now entirely on the other side of the sideroad, and a broad brick walkway leading us into Sing Sands.  We pulled right up to the beginning of the walkway, even though we shouldn't have, and got out.

There were two buildings there, one for washrooms and one presumably for admission (and I hope, some information).  But that building was closed.

Beyond it one side of the wooden deck led to the beach. protecting the dunes but giving access to the open sand.  I stopped at that point.

But it was wonderful to see that view out to Lake Huron, the beautiful blue water bringing back great memories.  This bay is known for its very shallow water; you can walk out an incredibly long distance and find it's only up to your knees, great for families with young children.

Besice me the dunes looked as if they were being successfully protected,  In previous years, people traipsing over the dunes and destroying vegetation were a major problem.

I turned to go the other direction to see the wetland, finding a wide elevated boardwalk that gave people access while protecting the fen.  There's a low narrow line of dunes that holds the water of the wetland back, except for a small creek that breaks out to the bay.  Here a big sign beckoned me on.