Colpoy's Bay Adventures

Colpoy's Bay: A Natural Retreat

by Sandra J. Howe

Winter sun shimmers across the expanse of Colpoy's Bay. The limestone bluffs of the Niagara Escarpment rise along the far shore, topped by ancient white cedars. Solitary cottages and the hamlet of Oxenden populate that south shore. Here on the north shore, the sleepy village of Colpoy's Bay breathes with the relaxed contentment of retirement. It is a peaceful place, soothed by the flowing music of Colpoys Creek and the gentle waves lapping on cobble beaches.

Nature and history are powerful presences in this remote community. The bay, in all its moods, is ever-present. Watersports are popular in other seasons but in winter, people are more cautious of the the clear, frigid waters. The storms that can rage suddenly. The fierce, chilling winds that can blow. Still the fishermen gather predawn to cast for luck from Gleason's Wharf. Occasionally the old fishing boat leaves the dock. Colpoy's Bay forever shapes its namesake village.

The old mixes seamlessly with the new in Colpoys, historic homesteads and modern cottages mingling in a friendly way. People wave as they drive by. I am housesitting for a month, and a neighbour dropped by to invite me up for wine. A lovely gesture! She described her home at the top of Whicher's Hill near the cemetery. I snowshoed along the Bruce Trail near there recently, exploring an orchard of heritage apple trees frequented by deer. The rugged farm fields are returning to forest. From the hilltop, the vistas west up the bay to Wiarton or east to Skinner's Bluff and the outer islands on Georgian Bay are superb.

Sitting in a cozy window seat with a woodfire crackling in the fireplace, Colpoy's Bay feels like a timeless place. The land and water remember many generations who have come and gone from these shores. Fishing, forestry, farming, and now tourism continue to mold this landscape but it will always hold true to its own wild form. Colpoy's Bay will remain a place to step back, slow down, and catch up with yourself. I am grateful for the opportunity to unwind in this natural retreat!

Yurt Camping at MacGregor Point Provincial Park

MacGregor Point Yurt Camp

by Sandra J. Howe

“I just love to be out at MacGregor Point in winter. The yurt is rustic but not too rustic, sort of an elevated camping. We dress warmly, keep active, and have cozy places to go inside. I come up from Toronto every year for this event,” says Karen Valleau about the annual MacGregor Point Yurt Camp. Sydenham and Peninsula Bruce Trailers have been organizing and enjoying this activity for several years. The group was small this time with only 3 participants. Others hoped to go but circumstances changed.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park near Port Elgin offers many km of trails to explore by ski or snowshoe. The snow was sparse this year so we leapt from snow patch to puddle for a while before settling into long walks. The shoreline was open with almost no ice. It is odd to walk a sandy beach in February but still very lovely. Mild temperatures, calm winds, and even some blue sky made a fun-filled weekend.

The yurt was spacious and cozy with electricity and a gas fireplace. We strung Christmas lights to make it homey. Scrabble, Chinese checkers, and storytelling filled the evenings. We ate loads of wonderful food including Greek dinner with spanakopita, tabouli and ouzo. Chili, cornbread, and kale salad were also big hits. Hearty breakfasts cooked on the BBQ kept us nourished for outdoor explorations.

The Yurt Camping Weekend is a great opportunity to get out and enjoy winter fun together. It happens each year in January or February but requires advance planning because the yurts fill up fast. Watch for event notices in late summer or early fall so you don't miss out on this excellent adventure. Hope to see you there in 2017!

Lion's Head Winter Hike

The new day dawned crisp, cold, and clear with amazing blue skies like we haven't seen much this winter. All my plans for indoor projects went out the window, and I headed out the door. We were off to explore on the Bruce Peninsula, one of Ontario's most wild and spectacular areas. All the winter gear-skis, 2 pair; snowshoes, 2 pair; ice skates; extra clothes-stay in my car for the season so no great packing to do. Just food and water into a backpack, and we're on Bruce Rd.9 headed north.

At first I thought we were headed to Bruce Peninsula National Park for a walk into Indian Head Cove and the Grotto. Plans changed though as a cloud bank moved in from the west. To make the best of blue skies and sun, we pulled in at Lion's Head. What a postcard perfect village! The bay is crystal clear and that lovely turquoise colour. The cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment rise high as ramparts up both sides of the bay. The lighthouse and marina are well-kept and scenic. It makes a delightful daytrip with lots to see and do, and some great food to sample.

We fortified ourselves at Marydale's Family Restaurant, a traditional rural diner, with homemade potato soup, a hearty sandwich, and of course, superb butter tarts. Try the tarts with "the works", heated with ice cream and caramel drizzle- oh my!!! Rachel's Bakery and 50's Diner is another delectable eating option, and is fun with authentic 50's decor. Several other eateries in and around Lion's Head come highly recommended but I have yet to sample their menus. More work to do; hooray!

You can catch the Bruce Trail right in the village along the water but we drove out McCurdy Dr. on the south shore to the hikers' parking lot. Excellent signage makes the area very accessible, and there are a variety of trail options- long, short, inland, coastal. All are rugged escarpment terrain so good footwear is essential. Walking poles are also helpful. These trails are great for snowshoeing but a bit rough for skis. on this day, trails were well-packed so we just walked.

I love to be out exploring the Niagara Escarpment, and the Bruce Trail is such an incredible resource. No wonder it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking the trails in winter, you see the shape of the trees, rocks, lands, and waters so clearly. We took our time on the hike, checking out side trails, potholes, animal tracks, and bird sounds. The views from the cliffs are truly awe-inspiring. I recommend following the loop from McCurdy Parking Lot counter-clockwise: Head into forest on Bruce Trail marked by white blazes; continue for 2-3km, about an hour walking, past the potholes to Lion's Head Lookout on the cliffs over Isthmus Bay; return to Moore St. Side Trail with blue blazes; this follows old roads to street and back to your car. Round trip about 5km, maybe 2 hrs easy walking. Enjoy the hike!!!