Friday, February 14, 2014

Northern Ontario Splendor

My home was Toronto, Ontario, and no matter how many years I'm away I always want to go back. As a teen/young adult, I loved walking and hanging out along Cherry Beach in Toronto. Then there was hanging out Mars, a.k.a Cheltenham Badlands in Caledon.
Cheltenham Badlands (Mars)

But now, I live with my husband and two daughters on the border of that separates the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Ontario. If you're an outdoorsy type of person, this spot is for you. I live precisely a five minute walk away from a conservation trail, less than a three minute drive to the international bridge, and nearly an hours drive from Lake Superior.
Gros Cap


But of all my favorite places living up north, is the hub trail only a short walk away. My family and I have had some fun times along this trail, and many book plots have been sorted out while walking this trail.

Fort Creek Conservation 

There's something to be said when you live in a small city, and yet, have all the advantages of living so close to a border and wilderness.

For as much as I miss big city living, the surrounding area has been therapeutic in a way. You really don't comprehend how beautiful the world is until you take a moment to take it all in, and all its splendor. Heck! When was the last time you traipsed through a marsh looking for a frog to appease your nine year old? I can tell you without a doubt I would much rather stick my hand into the earth and reach for a handful of worms, than to teeter at the edge of rocks precariously, trying to catch an amphibian. 

White Fish Island

Do you have a favorite place to hike or photograph? I'm always on the hunt for new places to visit and photograph.







3 comments:

  1. Hi Layna!

    Love your post. :-) I love walking along the Rail Trail in Ontario. Mainly between Kinmount and Haliburton. An abundance of wildlife and several gorgeous waterfalls and rivers. Like you, walking the trails helps me with my writing. :-)

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    1. Ooh! I haven't heard of the Rail Trail before. I'll have to add that to my list of places to check out.

      I would have included pictures of the Bruce trail, but I have none. That's another nice one to check out.

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  2. You know how much I love the North. One of my favorite places to visit is Duchesnay Falls in North Bay. But, I get excited when we drive up Hwy. 400 and see the Canadian Shield. Where I live, we can walk around the river or visit the TJ Dolan area near the cemetary. There's also the Hullett Conservation area or Wildwood, but they're a little bit of a drive out of town.

    I just love getting out to walk, and can't wait for this snow to leave so that I can get out walking again. :)

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