PIC STOP

The first pic stop of the day, at the portage between McDonald and McCrae Lakes, the latter my destination, this time via water and kayak, having only reached there before by hiking. The route is an easy and scenic one, the cons are it's easy accessiblity and lack of regulatory camping, making this a busy place, often with partyers.

A DAY AT MCCRAE

It was muggy hiking in and buggy on the way out, but worth the day spent at McCrae Lake with a couple of friends from The Rosseau, swimming, then lounging in the sun and lassitude afterwards. The scenery is spectacular but sadly the lake contains zebra mussels, an invasive species harmful to swimmers and the aquatic ecosystem.

(SITTIN' ON) THE ROCK OF THE BAY

Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come
Watching the clouds roll in
And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah
I'm sittin' on the rock of the Bay...

NEVER ALONE

Directly below me at this viewpoint of Georgian Bay I discovered by accident a large alabaster statue of Jesus on a crucifix, attached to the cliff face and at the portage nearby, just above the water's edge and built into the rock ridge, a shrine dedicated to the Madonna of Georgian Bay, so although I was there by myself I was never alone.

NATURE AND MYSELF

I spent the past couple of days camping at the portage that connects Georgian Bay with McCrae Lake, after hiking in. This was a new area for me and after setting up camp, went off exploring, swimming and taking pictures. It was nice to disconnect from the world and others, a getaway from the everyday, and reconnect with nature and myself.

MUSKOKA TRAILS

Along with launching their new website, the Muskoka Trails Council has initiated a passport challenge for everybody to hike six different trails in the area and experience their diversity, each with an unique passport number to record. Upon completion of all the trails, submit their numbers and you'll receive a certificate for your achievement.
[The Muskoka Trails Council newsclip provided by TVCogecoOntario.]