Visitors Are Important…

I find that it’s necessary to occasionally have guests from off-island visit otherwise we may forget all the great things there are to see and do on Manitoulin. For example we just had a couple visiting us from up in Schumacher and it gave me a good excuse to go exploring once again.

I had actually introduced these two way back in 1973 or 1974 when he was my co-worker at The Bay and she was a teacher. In those days it was common for the HBC boys and the local group of teachers and nurses to get together often and I suppose that this still goes on even though I’ve turned into a recluse myself. Back then I spent many an evening visiting with the other “outsiders” and tipping back more than a few tasty beverages, especially on the weekends. At any rate these two hit it off but we thought all was over when Ken transferred from Mistassini to St. Augustine down on the north shore of Quebec. As fate would have it he became manager of our store in Wemindji a year or so later and guess who was teaching in that community at that time? Yup, game over for both of them and he and Brenda were married shortly afterward.

I occasionally ran into Ken and Brenda who had moved south when I was travelling out from Moosonee serving in various capacities for the Lions Clubs, but hadn’t seen him in the past 4 or 5 years. They finally came down to visit a few days ago and Gloria and I got reacquainted with them and I got reacquainted with Manitoulin Island. We hit most of the highlights on the eastern end of the island (we’ll do the west next year) from High Falls to the Little Current docks and on to Kagawong for the Bridal Veil Falls tour and even managed to hit the Thursday night Dinner Cruise on the Chi-Cheemaun. As I think I’ve mentioned before, if you’ve never taken this cruise then by all means do so. The food is great, the service super and the views heading over and then sailing back into the sunset are beyond compare. If any of you out there reading this have never visited our area and would like more information just let me know. Personally I’m going to make it a point to get out and about much more often and we’ll update you with some other photos later on.

Manitoulin Fish & Chips anyone?

Now arriving...

I know I’m a week late is checking out the ferry for this year but I happened to be in the South Baymouth area yesterday making some Watkins deliveries when it came in. “Going to see the ferry” seems to be a regular pastime for me and I enjoy heading out there several times through the summer just to watch it come and go, and get some great Farquahar’s ice cream from one of the local stands at the same time. When you come to visit make sure you try the Hawberry flavor as it’s one of the best and of course the Hawberry is native to Manitoulin so you can say you’ve visited the island unless you’ve tasted the Hawberry in some form or other!

Of the highlights of the summer for us is taking the Sunset Dinner Cruise that the Chi-Cheemaun offers. The cost is very reasonable and includes your walk-on return trip, a great meal and of course some of the best scenery in the world. For sure we’ll be out there at least once again this summer and perhaps you can join us for an evening or two. We look forward to seeing you on board!

Cruisin'

Gloria and I try to go out for an anniversary dinner each year. This time we chose the Dinner Cruise on the Chi-Cheemaun and I wish we’d done this way before now. The food was great (prime rib & yorkshire pudding), our server (Jude) excellent, and the dessert a fantastic bread pudding with a caramel sauce. Of course the scenery was the best in the country as there’s nothing quite like watching the sun set as you sail along the shores of Canada’s 12th Wonder on a calm, clear evening.

There was a fine selection of Ontario, Australian and other world wines available to choose from although we did not try any on this occasion. (Still had to drive home, you know) The cost of the evening surprised me as well as it was only $46.00 per person including the return passage to Tobermory and the full meal. I know that a feast like this one would run at least that much in a fancy restaurant so this was quite reasonable and we’ll most likely do it again before the end of the summer.

Bottom line? I recommend that you book yourself a reservation on the Chi-Cheemaun Dinner Cruise today. It leaves South Baymouth on Thursdays at 5:50 in the evening and gets you back at around 9:45, which still gives you plenty of time for a that nightcap after you get home. See you onboard!