Grey-Bruce Adventours: June 2013

Thursday 20 June 2013

Explore Kincardine

Grey-Bruce Adventours: Kincardine

By Sandra J. Howe for June/13 MOSAIC

Kincardine takes its Scottish heritage seriously, so for all things Scottish this is a great daytrip option. Starting June 22, Saturday evenings at 8 pm in Victoria Park downtown, everyone is invited to join the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band for the march along main street. This tradition has been on-going on Saturday summer evenings since 1948, and makes a fun outing for the whole family. Kids of all ages love it! The Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band first appeared in 1908, and has the longest unbroken service record for all Ontario pipe bands. Across the street from Victoria Park, at Kincardine’s Scottish Shop you can rent a kilt for the occasion, or sample such delicacies as haggis, black pudding, bridies, and scotch eggs. Take your taste buds on an adventure!

Kincardine has excellent walking trails with a beach boardwalk bordered by community gardens, and an extensive system of inland trails. Geddes Environmental Park features the Labyrinth Peace Garden, providing a meditative walk through rainbow shades of flowers. Parks, beaches, and picnic areas are abundant, and well-maintained; these make great places to relax with a book on a quiet day. Two bookstores downtown offer a vast range of reading options: Condor Fine Books focuses on used, antique, and out-of-print books in good condition. Finchers, across the street, specializes in new books, and has a wonderful selection of local authors, and interests.

A thriving arts scene focuses around the old townhall, now The Kincardine Centre for the Arts. This historic building was completed in 1872 for the massive sum of $8000, and is still quite elegant. It houses galleries, theatre space for both the Little Theatre Guild, and the Bluewater Playhouse, the Wood Turners Guild, and the Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games headquarters. There is lots happening so check out the website for event details: www.sunsets.com/kincardine

With summer upon us, there is so much to see, and do in Grey-Bruce. Visitors come from around the world to enjoy the bounty of adventures in our playground. Grey-Bruce Adventours encourages you to get outside, and appreciate our cultural, and natural heritage. If I can be of service in guiding your adventures, let me know. Sandra J: howesandraj@gmail.com Have fun!!!

Colour Angel Stone at Labyrinth Peace Garden

The Labyrinth

Historic Centre for the Arts

Kincardine Marina Run by Yacht Club

Beautiful Lighthouse Contains Museum

Shipwreck Remains at Station Beach

Renowned Sunsets

Treasure Hunting on Misty Beach

Saturday 8 June 2013

Explore Tobermory

Grey-Bruce Adventours: Tobermory

By Sandra J. Howe for MOSAIC, May/13

Tobermory wakes up from its sleepy, off-season state to a lively, harbour town in May. The ChiCheemaun, and other boat tours resume their excursions, and are a great way to explore the islands, and shipwrecks of these crystal, clear waters. Since childhood camping trips to Cypress Lake, Tobermory has been a favourite destination of mine. Be sure to drive all the way to road’s end at Big Tub Lighthouse. Built in 1885, it is looking fine in a new coat of paint, thanks to the Spruce the Bruce program.

The Bruce Peninsula Orchid Festival (www.orchidfest.ca) runs May 31 to June 2, highlighting the abundance, and beauty of our native orchids. Talks, walks, and workshops for the whole family invite active participation, and learning. Some activities take place at the Parks Canada Visitors’ Centre. Did you climb the Lookout Tower for spectacular island views? The Bruce Trail also passes through, offering a light stroll into Tobermory, or a rigorous workout along the Niagara Escarpment.

Tobermory, named for a seaside village in Scotland, has a fascinating mix of tourist, beach, and wilderness outfitter shops. Plus eateries ranging from fresh, local whitefish to wood-fired oven pizza to tasty, fruit smoothies. Walking the compact downtown is a sensory adventure- children feeding ducks in Little Tub Harbour, boats from kayaks to yachts, art galleries, fish frying, fresh fudge in the making-its all here!

My favourite stops include the Reader’s Haven Book Store (www.readershaven.ca) for what’s new to read, gourmet popcorn, and a chat with Susan. A Mermaid’s Secret Boutique (www.amermaidssecret.com) offers fun, and funky handcrafted clothing, and accessories, and is expanding their local Native clothing, and craft selection this year; Janet is an adventurer with a deep commitment to supporting fair-trade initiatives. The KukuHut (www.kukuhut.com) imports hand-crafted, ecologically-sourced gifts from Africa; Amanda shares powerful stories of the people who craft these goods. I always finish with ice cream at The Sweet Shop ( www.sweetshop.ca ).

Happy spring adventures to you from Grey-Bruce Adventours! For more trip ideas, visit my blog at www.howesandraj.blogspot.com .