New Day Trips Available!

Welcome to

Grey-Bruce Adventours Local Daytrips!

Saugeen River Kayak:  Suitable for ages 12, and up, this easy downstream paddle provides great wildlife, bird, and fish viewing.  The rolling forests, and fields of Bruce County are lovely from the river.  No paddling experience is necessary but being comfortable on water makes this 3 or 6 hour excursion, with picnic, more fun.  Cost:  $80/person.

Bruce Trail Hike:  The Bruce and related side trails meander throughout Grey-Bruce, varying from strenuous rock-scrambling to light forest-strolling.  Hiking provides a unique vantage on the Niagara Escarpment’s beautiful flora, fauna, and vistas.  We will choose a hike suited to your personal abilities, and interests.  Cost:  $40/person.

Escarpment Caving:  Caves provide a fascinating view into the geology of the Niagara Escarpment.  Both crevice and wave-action caves are accessible in Grey-Bruce through easy hikes.  These are non-technical adventures which will be enjoyed by all ages.  Cost:  $40/person.

Garden and Studio Tours:  For a relaxing day touring our backroads, we will explore bountiful gardens, and visual feasts.  Some locations offer art classes in a variety of mediums.  Get your creative juices flowing in our beautiful landscapes!  Cost:  $40/person.

Biking Rural Roads and Rail Trails:  This is a great way to explore the Grey-Bruce countryside.  Daytrips or pedaling between Bed & Breakfast locations is possible.  Prices determined on trip basis.

Grey-Bruce Adventours offers fun, affordable adventure tours to support your amazing vacation experience.  Group rates available.  We customize all tours to your individual needs, interests, and abilities.  Grey-Bruce has so much to offer - if you don’t see it listed, please ask!

Sandra J. Howe is your guide.  Reach me at:  519-477-1537 howesandraj@gmail.com,   www.facebook.com/greybruceadventours, or www.howesandraj.blogspot.com 

Happy Adventouring!!!

The Bruce Trail and I

Along the south shore of Little Tub Harbour stands a rock cairn marking the northern terminus of the Bruce Trail.  For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by this magical footpath tracing the wilds of Ontario from Niagara to Tobermory.  My childhood adventures included an annual camping trip to Cypress Lake with a hike to the Grotto.  For me, it was a pilgrimage-a coming home to rocks, trees, and waters that absorbed all my youthful curiosity.  The Bruce Trail and I grew up together.  This year marks milestones for each of us.  The Bruce Trail Conservancy begins celebrating 50 years of trail commitment.  I begin my first End-to-End Hike.  Let’s get this party started!

In 1962, enthusiastic volunteers began the daunting task of establishing a trail along the Niagara Escarpment to raise awareness for its protection.  The trail required route planning, landowner consultations, clearing, construction, public education, and myriad other challenges.  Community support grew along the Escarpment, such that all nine member clubs were formed between 1962 and 1967.  Our local Sydenham Club began its ambitious work in 1962 and now maintains over 170 km of beautiful hiking trails.    “Fifty years of determination, support, vision, and hard work have created Canada’s oldest and longest marked footpath, and made the Bruce Trail Conservancy a leading land trust in Ontario.” (Bruce Trail Magazine)

The journey continues.  My earliest memories of the Bruce Trail are of hikes in what is now Bruce Peninsula National Park.  I knew the white blazes could take me south to Niagara or north to Tobermory.  I was called to walk but it seemed too far.  Did anyone really hike those distances?  It seemed impossible so I contented myself with short, random excursions with my family.  I was drawn to rocks and high places, especially loving the cliffs and fossil beds.  I would spend hours studying stones.  I ordered maps, tourist brochures, and flora and fauna guides.  These were favourite reading materials, and I longed to walk more of the Escarpment.  It became a life goal of mine to see the whole Bruce Trail.

In childhood, I walked mostly Bruce and Grey County trail sections.  I loved the Colpoys Bay shoreline hike with the spiral staircase climbing the cliff.  The views in Beaver Valley were spectacular, and may have contributed to Mom’s graying hair as we scrambled on high edges.  The coolness and mystery of Duncan Crevice Caves was amazing to me.  Inglis Falls crashing to the rocks below was another favourite walking area.  I feel so blessed to have had these opportunities as a child.  They were instrumental in my on-going love of nature and outdoor activities.

In 2012, I joined the Bruce Trail Conservancy for the first time.  I expect we will have a long and fruitful relationship.  As a member of the Sydenham Bruce Trail Club, I take part in hikes, work parties, social activities, and generally have a blast.  It is a most welcoming and friendly group.  In May, we will begin a systematic walk of our trail section from Wiarton to Blantyre.  I am very excited to get started on this long term goal.  Chatting with other members who have hiked the full 885 km, Niagara to Tobermory, has been inspirational.  It makes this daunting challenge seem feasible.  I find that moving through an area on foot creates a feeling of home.  The fast pace of our lives reduces the depth of connection with our land.  Walking can reconnect us.

And so it has.  In 1967, at the new rock cairn in Tobermory, the Bruce Trail was officially opened to the public.  The work of the Bruce Trail Conservancy continues to raise awareness and help protect the Niagara Escarpment.  In 1990, the Niagara Escarpment was declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, a globally significant natural heritage.  This is an incredible resource right here in our own backyards.  Are we appreciating, enjoying, and protecting it adequately for future generations?  Great accomplishments have happened; much remains to be done.  I plan to do my part in enjoying and protecting this priceless natural treasure.  I hope to see you on the Bruce Trail!

-Sandra J. Howe

Follow the white blazes

Through Boyd Crevice

Stunning views along Georgian Bay shoreline, Bruce Peninsula National Park

Head south along the beach

Explore Paisley

Grey-Bruce Adventours Paisley Day Trips

By Sandra J. Howe for Mar/12 MOSAIC

Welcome to 2013 and a new year of Mosaic!  Spring is coming, and bringing with it abundant opportunities to explore our wealth of cultural, and natural heritage.  Grey-Bruce Adventours seeks to be your guide, in print, on-line, and in-person, to great home-grown adventures.  Since childhood, I have loved learning about new people, places, flora, and fauna, and about their history.  Now I want to share that spirit of adventure with you, your families, and your visitors.  Monthly day trip itineraries will introduce you to local sights, tastes, sounds, history, and events up-coming in Grey-Bruce.  Refer to my blog for more details and photos, or to contact me for customized tourguiding services.  Let’s hit the road for a fun day-away!

Paisley is a beautiful, historic village at the confluence of the Teeswater, and Saugeen Rivers (www.paisleyvillage.ca, www.explorethebruce.com/paisley.php ).  It was home to some famous artists from the past, including David Milne (1882-1953), “regarded as one of Canada’s foremost artists”(Wikipedia), and Isabella Valancy Crawford (1850-1887), known as “the most gifted poetess of the nineteenth century”(historic plaque).  Today it is still home to many talented artists in various media; check out “Sticks and Stones”, the MacNamara Gallery, and The Elora Soap Company (www.elorasoap.com) on Main Street.  Nature’s Millworks (www.naturesmillworks.com), on Bruce Road #1, also features local books, arts, crafts, and rotating shows.  After some shopping, grab a great cup, or package of fresh-roasted, fair-trade, organic coffee at Back Eddies (www.backeddies.com), and watch the rivers flow. 

There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in Paisley.  Take a leisurely stroll around town with the downloadable “Heritage Walk” brochure, highlighting fine architecture, former industries, and famous people.  Walking trails run along the river dykes, and flood plains.  Also, the rail trail, accessible off Bruce Road #1, has two spectacular trestle bridges for great views.  Paisley is, of course, best known for canoeing and kayaking on the Saugeen River, a major historic, and modern paddle route in southwestern Ontario.  Stop in at Cowan’s Canoe and Kayak Livery for information, rentals, and shuttle service to explore the Saugeen.

Paisley offers a full year worth of fun events for the whole family.  The Old-Tyme Maple Syrup Festival ( www.saugeenconservation.com/maplesyrup.php ), hosted by the Saugeen Valley Conservation Foundation, is March 23 and 24, 10am to 4pm daily at Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area.  Shuttles run from downtown Paisley, transporting 7000 visitors annually to this sweet venue.  Now in its 41^st season, this first tastes of spring event provides outdoor fun, historic re-enactments, entertainment, and naturally, local maple syrup over Paisley Kinsmen pancakes, and sausage.  Yum!

The 20^th Annual North Canoe Race, June 7 to 9, with overnight, old-style camping, invites everyone to participate.  The massive north canoes are replicas of those used in Canada’s historic voyageur days.  Bring a team, or join one on-site, to experience races, and games at the Saugeen River Paddlers Park.  Canoes, and kayaks belonging to the Saugeen Paddlers (see Facebook: Saugeen Paddlers-group) will be available to practice paddle skills with guidance.  Pioneer games involve young, and old in fun activities, both dry, and wet.  This is a wonderful opportunity to share food, and stories around the campfire, and unplug for a weekend! 

Nature's Millworks, formerly Stark's Mill

Rail Trail Trestle over Teeswater River

View down Teeswater River toward Paisley from Trestle

Rail Trail Trestle and lovely sky!

Many other Paisley events are highlighted on www.paisleyvillage.ca, and all are welcome to volunteer, or participate.  Grey-Bruce Adventours hopes you’ve enjoyed your print tour, and come out in-person to explore all that Paisley has to offer.  I look forward to hearing from you at www.howesandraj.blogspot.com.  Wishing you, and yours, many happy adventures!

 

Back from Ecuador

Hi Folks!  Thanks for stopping by.  I'm super busy enjoying last of ski season, and gearing up for great adventures with my new business, Grey-Bruce Adventours:  Helping you explore Grey-Bruce and Ecuador.  Stay tuned for new postings about day trips and lots of fun stuff to do here in southern Ontario.  Watch MOSAIC:   www.greybrucemosaic.ca  for my stories too.  I hope you're out enjoying the fine weather.  Maple Syrup Festivals are starting soon so get ready for sweet times.  We'll chat soon.  Sandra J.

Papallacta Hike

www.termaspapallacta.com/rancho.htm

Canyon Ranch above Papallacta Hot Springs is a working dairy cattle farm and reserve bordering the Cayambe-Coco Nature Reserve.  These incredibly diverse areas are full of birds, wildlife, and amazing plants.  We did a 2 hour hike which is a challenge at this altitude.  We definitely feel the thinness of the air and tire easily.  But it is so beautiful!!!  I was startled to see Antisana- usually it is cloud shrouded.  After hike, we had fresh trout for lunch, and then back to hotel to soak in hot pools.  MMM!!!

Rare view of glacier-covered summit of Volcan Antisano

Organic herb and vegetable garden that supplies local restaurant

Life on life- A tree full of bromeliads

Bromeliads are air-feeding plants that use trees for perches

Lush, diverse greenery covers mountain slopes, elevation 10,000'

Me and bamboo at 11,000'

Fern fiddlehead unrolling

Amazing variety of plant life at 11,000'

Hacienda Guachala, 1580

www.guachala.com

Hacienda Guachala is perhaps Ecuador's oldest functioning hacienda, built in 1580.  It has housed international expeditions, dignitaries, and presidents.  I loved the antiquity of the place, full of historic photos, stories, and antiques.  It is a gem!  From here we took a long horse-back ride into the mountains.  There are several pre-Incan and Incan archeological sites to visit nearby.  Also some hot springs-still on my to-do list!

Meals were hearty and wholesome.  My favourite was Locro: Cheese and Potato Soup topped with Avocado.  There is some gruesomeness in the stories: a torture room for workers who failed in their duties, and looms left from the Obrajes, sweat shops, where indigenous men, women, and children were forced to work 12 hour days sometimes until death.  But also much beauty, and community: churches, gardens, schools, and service.  A long and colourful history!

Main hall smells of leather, wood smoke, and horses

Our cozy room with eucalyptus wood fire against cool

Chapel tower with massive cacti

Ancient cross in original rammed earth wall, built 1580

Stone patio set with stables converted to lovely guest rooms

Adobe brick flooring has seen many feet

Llama in pasture with rolling fields in distance

Gigantic aloe in yard

Massive old eucalyptus trees lining laneway

Pond reflections

Chirije Archeological Site and Lodge

www.chirije.com

We met Patricio Tamariz in Bahia de Caraquez after a rather muddling bus trip from Canoa on Ecuador's Pacific Coast.  He owns and operates a beautiful little ecolodge on the beach south of Bahia.  We had read about his company, Bahia Dolphin Tours, and archeological site, Chirije, in a guide book and were keen to visit there.  Patricio and his staff were so friendly and helpful in arranging everything.  Patricio drove us out along the beach at low tide to get to the site.  The ocean was that lovely turquoise colour.  The landscape is tropical dry forest and due for rains to start in January.  Now it is incredibly dry and mostly brown.
The lodge was classy and comfortable.  We had the place all to ourselves which felt quite upper-class.  At high tide the waves run right up the drive and no one can come or go.  Walking the beach John found several beautiful pottery shards, and the ground is littered with them.  We also hiked up the mountain and had a closeup look at tropical dry forest vegetation.  The ceibo trees which look like African boababs were especially cool!
This is a wonderful and amazing place which I highly recommend!

Patricio also has a book recently published through Amazon:
The Secret of Paradise: Mysteries of the Pacific Coast of Ecuador by Patricio Tamariz and Bo Rinaldi