Baie Fine Cruise - Friday - October 15

We woke up to this beautiful sunny and warm day.

It's a perfect day or a boat trip on Georgian Bay.

Tempting but frigid cold water.

From https://killarney.com:

Motor Cruise to Baie Fine

The Motor Cruise offers an open boat Georgian Bay excursion with a life long Captain at the wheel. The boat is destined for Baie Fine, a famous northern Ontario island fjord, edged by shimmering white quartzite cliffs. Climb to the deep azure Lake Topaz for a swim, or simply relax on the boat and take in the stunning scenery and enjoy a delicious custom-made picnic lunch. Trips return to the lodge by 4:00 PM.

Leaving the resort, passing through Killarney's downtown. 

According to our local guide, "Bungy" (Robert Herbert), these perfect threes lower line is from deers feeding here all summer. 

He is a map of the the Baie Fine and the beautiful Topaz Lake.

Arriving in the far end of Baie Fine, just before getting off the boat for a hike.

Bungy from Bungy's Fishing & Tours was an amazing tour guide. He is a native from the region and told us many stories about growing up here and passing on his knowledge to his grandchildren. 

He was patient and sweet with the kids too, enriching our experience in nature. 

We all had to carry our picnic lunches up the hill. 

It was a half and hour hike up the hill through the forest to Topaz Lake.

Totally worth it!

It's a breathtaking view from up there. 

It reminds me of Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in Alberta. 

Picnic time and thinking: "should I swim or should I go?"

Elevation: 260 meters (853 feet)

MORE ON TOPAZ LAKE: https://www.blogto.com/travel/2020/08/killarney-provincial-park-ontario/

"This scenic lake along the Baie Fine fjord is so beautiful it was actually the inspiration for Group of Seven artist Arthur Lismer's painting ‘Bright Land.’"

Ok, they could not resist. 

Yes, the jumped in the water with 12 degrees outside!

The three real Canadian. 

(I am the Brazilian wimp today)

We are getting better on timer photos.

I LOVE THIS!

Bungy's boat.

Heading back.

Can you see the "Indian Head?"

It's only visible from a certain angle. 

As we were almost back in the resort, thinking this trip could not get any better, he or she appeared. 

A baby back bear - spotted by Mike - decided to cross from one side to the other side of the lake swimming right in front of our boat. What a spectacle!

This is the first time the girls have seen a bear in their natural habitat. 

It was magical.

Back in the resort the girls met up with the other kids (coming from all over for the wedding), starting a heavenly exciting "kids do whatever they want weekend" out in nature. 

Frog whisperer.

For dinner... 

You can't come to Killarney and not try the world famous fish and chips restaurant Herbert Fisheries, right by the water on the main strip.

FROM http://www.herbertfisheries.ca: 

Since 1981 Sudburians and tourists from around the world have sailed, flown and driven to Killarney for some of the best fresh fish and chips available. The familiar red and white school bus with picnic tables on the dock overlooking George Island and Georgian Bay have become a well known landmark over the last 32 years and Canadian Living Magazine has named Herbert Fisheries as one of the top ten fish and chip restaurants in Canada! 

Now, you can enjoy that same fresh fish all year round in Greater Sudbury with the opening of the first Herbert World Famous Fish & Chips restaurant. At the Sudbury location, fresh fish is brought in several times a week, frozen fish is kept in supply. Fish orders can be placed at any time.

The opening of the new restaurant in Sudbury coincides with the construction of the new location in Killarney. The red and white bus has been removed and a new state-of-the-art building will take its place. The plant will be completely modernized and expanded.

 

Fun Fungi - Thursday - October 14

After watching the documentary Fantastic Fungi, on Netflix, we've became even more intrigued by these creatures. 

We couldn't help but admiring them.  

Enjoy the photos of some of the species in the region. 

 

Killarney, here we go! Thursday - October 14

We are so excited for this trip! Not only because our gorgeous and lovely friend Laura is getting married in this beautiful piece of Ontario's paradise, but also because this is our first family trip in 15 months. The pandemic is not over yet but a lot of the restrictions have been lifted because most of people have had their COVID vaccine in the province. The kids will miss a couple of days of school, but they will learn more with this adventure. 

Here we go again!

We planed a 4 hour trip, with a couple of stops. 

First one: outdoor pee stop with this amazing view!

Second stop was in the French River. Mike spent some time here camping as a teenager, so he wanted to show it for the girls. They also learned about how important this transportation corridor was for the Algonquian peoples of this region. It used to be called Wemitigoj-Sibi.

FROM WIKIPEDIA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_River_(Ontario)

The French River is a river in Central Ontario, Canada. It flows 110 kilometres (68 mi) from Lake Nipissing west to Georgian Bay. The river largely follows the boundary between the Parry Sound District and the Sudbury District, and in most contexts is considered the dividing line between Northern and Southern Ontario. The French River was designated a Canadian Heritage Riverin 1986.

                    

This is a great stop for a picnic and exploration. 

It was a great opportunity to see and talk about the First Nations in the region, especially during this week, when the girls learned a lot about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at school.

Right after the French River, we turned left and drove for about 45 minutes to our destination: Killarney.  Mike and Sofia spotted a black bear on the side of the road, but we could not find it again when we we turned around to look for it. 

Killarney is a very quiet town this time of the year, when all the cottagers and tourists have already left for the season. There are about 500 people who permanently live here. 

Finding people to work up here is a problem and the hotel has a program to bring up migrant workers. There are two hotels - same owners. One, smaller stays open all year. The big one, where were stayed, will close end of October for the year. 

FROM WIKIPEDIA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killarney,_Ontario

Killarney is a municipality located on the northern shore of Georgian Bay in the Sudbury District of Ontario, Canada. Killarney is commonly associated with Killarney Provincial Park which is a large wilderness park located to the east of the townsite which occupies much of the municipality's expanded boundary.

In addition to the community of Killarney itself, the communities of Hartley Bay and Bigwood, and the ghost towns of French River, Collins Inlet and Key Harbour, are also located within the municipal boundaries.

The eastern end of the La Cloche Mountain Range is also located within the municipality of Killarney.

We stayed at the Killarney Mountain Lodge, this beautiful and rustic hotel, along the water. It was raining a lot when we got there, but we could have an idea about the beauty of the place. 

KILLARNEY MOUNTAIN LODGE: https://killarney.com

Check out the size of these logs!!!! 

The view from our room.

It's an amazing place for exploration, for the kids. 

No electronics, just nature. 

Our little cottage in the resort: The Pilot House. 

This water plane just landed on the lake, parked here and its pilot went for French fries at the hotel's restaurant, which by the way, has one of the best fries we ever had. 

The girls spent a lot of the time in the game room. 

No electronics, just old games. But just as much fun, if not more.

There are no TVs,  other electronic device, nor internet access, in any of the rooms.

The girls were easily entertained. 

Here they were helping the activities guy/administrative person/waiter making a fire.