Manitoulin Island… Heaven on Earth!

Well, I am finally back in the world of cell phones, and internet, as we returned from our motorcycle trip up to Manitoulin Island.  We had a great time to say the least!  We had good weather overall, other than a bit of rain on Sunday Morning. 

We left Gravenhurst on Friday morning with 6 motorcycles, heading for the Island.  It was about a 6 hour drive after we stopped to eat along the way. 

It is hard to take pictures while we are driving, but we got stopped at the swing bridge heading onto the Island at Little Current. 

Our fearless leader Bob hamming it up for the camera…

The bridge swings to let the boats through into the north channel of Lake Huron.

 

Our group arrives at Silver Birch Resort…

The Camp is located on Honora Bay, and has a commanding view of the Bay… forget your cell phone and computer while you are here!  Hello nature!

We spent two great nights around our campfire…

On Friday night we enjoyed a great dinner downtown Little Current, keeping all the locals awake with our rolling thunder!

Took a walk down by the docks after dinner, noting not very many boats tied up for the night… tourism is a big thing on the Island and seemed to be at a big time low… not very many Americans here this year…

All day Saturday was spent touring the Island… we had a great day with no rain!  Below is Bridal Veil Falls, a very popular spot.   This year however, there was hardly any water going over the falls, it is usually much faster flowing…

We stopped for lunch as a small restaurant, and came across this beaver… he was hungry too!

When you are out on a Tour with our group, you are never going to be hungry… we ride and we eat! 

Enjoying the view at 10 mile point… this is the east side of the Island…

We ended up on Saturday with a group of 11 people on 8 motorcycles, and we all got together for our group picture, with the help of a guy driving by…

On Sunday, the group headed home, via Little Current back to Gravenhurst.  Judy and I, along with Murray and Linda, from Paisley, Ontario, headed for the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry.  It leaves from South Bay Mouth and crosses over to Tobermory, on the upper end of the Bruce Peninsula.  It saves about 8 hours of driving around.  Here is Judy and Linda pretending that they are tuff bikers…

This is what they were waiting for… the Chi-Cheemaun.  Very impressive ship that can hold 150 cars.  It also carries, RV’s, transport trucks, anything that can drive on and fit, and has money to pay!  It cost Judy and I $89.50 for the passage.  It is a 1 1/2 hour ride on the boat.  Of course you can eat on board!

While waiting for the ship, these two guys landed the rainbow trout!  There is a limit of 2 trout a day for fisher people.

Forgot to mention the ship also has room for 20 motorcycles!  It was full… here they are loading below

One thing about getting on the boat with a motorcycle, you are first on, and first off!  Judy and Lynda supervise Murray and I as we tie the bikes down for the crossing.

It was only a little over a hour drive once we got off the boat to hit Sauble Beach, and stayed with Debbie and Gerard at the cottage… thanks guys!  We appreciated the stay and great food! 

This morning we left the cottage, and made it back to Woodstock.  Had to go and have dinner with Gwenny and her parents, you know!

Overall, just a great trip to Manitoulin, that I would recommend to anyone to make!

Till tomorrow…