Inverhuron, Sept. 18-20 2015

 We finally were able to try out the new Holmes campground at Inverhuron. I was quite pleased with our site and it was great to be so close to the water. All of the new sites are quite spacious and angled in such a away that you almost feel as if you are the only ones in the woods. It will be a few years before the undergrowth fills in and really gives us amazing privacy. Friday evening we went into Southampton to visit with John and Joanne for a few hours before heading back to Inverhuron for a late campfire.
 Saturday we had a lazy start to the day but did lots of traveling in the afternoon. We stopped at the bakery in Southampton and also at the veggie market. We then headed to Lime Kiln Cottages in Inverhuron to pick up Rod before traveling down to Pine River to stock up on cheese that we enjoy from there. Now it was off to Lachelsh to the cemetery. We spent a bit of time there and discovered that the oldest person buried there was born in the late 1760's. That was quite a surprise to us that it was that long ago. After leaving there we drove into Kincardine and stopped by the water for a short visit. It was so windy that it was hard to keep the camera still to get a few photos. I had never seen Lake Huron as rough as it was that day but there were kite surfers out enjoying themselves. At times the wind was picking them right out of the water. After touring the area a bit we headed into Tiverton to the Kings Pearl for supper. We all enjoyed there roast beef special and our desert of three different brownies. Now that we were all stuffed it was time to head back to camp to watch the sunset and spend the rest of the evening enjoying good conversation around the campfire. At 1am Duncan drove Rod back to his cottage and we headed to bed for a well deserved rest.
 We both slept in Sunday and enjoyed a relaxing morning at camp watching the blue jays before brunch and packing up and spending the rest of the afternoon exploring down by the beach. There were many monarchs flying around and collecting nectar for there trip south for the winter. We always enjoy our adventures at Inverhuron and it was nice to be able to enjoy the new campground as well.
Were off to Port Burwell this weekend in hopes of seeing a large group of Monarchs before they cross Lake Erie on there southern migration.

 Our great site backing onto the lake

 Early evening looking over the lake

A child's artwork on a rock at our campsite

Lots of Blue Jays came to visit

Chickadee's are always fun to watch

Always so beautiful in their blue and white feathers

Male Monarch as indicated by the 2 black dots

Fluffed up and taking a good look at me

Red Squirrel not happy with my presence

Male Black-And-White Warbler. Another first!

Rough waters Saturday in Kincardine

Waves crashing over the break wall 

Monarch enjoying a little goldenrod

Collecting a few sunflower seeds in the evening light

Saturday sunset as the waters start to calm

Puff the Magic Dragon letting off some steam

Young and old pine cones in the afternoon sunlight

Calling out for some more nuts to eat

Two Monarchs filling up on nectar for the journey

Windsurfing on a calmer lake Sunday afternoon

Fuzzy little Monarch collecting nectar 

Mennonites heading home on Sunday eve

I love it when there are wee ones on the buggy

Point Farms, Sept.11-13 2015

 The cool weather crept in this weekend but it did not deter us from our weekend adventure. It was sunny and warm when we headed out but by the time we arrived at our destination it was cloudy and cooler. After setting up camp and relaxing for a short time we headed to the bakery to place our donut order for Saturday morning pick-up. We then picked up some wood for our campfires. While driving along the beach area and were shocked by all the Inukshuk that lined the shore. It was quote a sight to see. We took a tour of the area before heading back to camp to get some supper cooking. After dinner we enjoyed a relaxing evening in front of a warm fire.
 Saturday I went for an early hike before we headed into town to the bakery. Once we returned with our goodies we headed to Blyth to the Steam Threshers Show. We could not believe the amount of people camping there and how busy it was. It was so neat to see all of the machines. There were wee tiny ones and huge ones with wheels taller than me. We spent over 5 hours walking around and seeing some of the machines in operation. The Blyth Legion was having a roast beef and ham dinner upstairs in the arena so we decided to stay and have dinner as well. It was sooo good that we both ate to much but enjoyed every bite of it. After dinner we went and looked at the old cars before heading back to camp. I walked over to the cliff area to watch the sunset before enjoying an evening by the crackling fire. The sunset was unbelievable even though there was some cloud cover. The red and purple colours were breathtaking. Even after the sun set the colour that appeared through the cracks in the clouds were even more brilliant than before.
 Sunday I went for a long walk. It was cool but by the time I returned it was warming up. We enjoyed a wonderful brunch before packing up and driving into town and doing a tour to Benmiller before returning to the park. There were many monarch butterflies in the picnic area of the park. They must be getting ready to make there long journey down to Mexico. It was nice to see so many of them in one area. There were also lots of yellow flickers in the park but they really keep there distance from anyone. The water at the beach was very rough all weekend but we enjoyed listening to the surf all weekend at our campsite. We headed out at five for our journey home. It was quite cool by the time we arrived home that evening. Not sure if we will get back to Point Farms before the end of the season but we always enjoy our time there.

Inulshuk by the lake in Goderich

 

Rough waters along the shore

Molting Blue Jay visited Saturday morning

One of the many small steam threshers

There were lots of old tractors on display

 

This ones run the saw that was cutting logs

 

Erie steam shovel, old truck and 

bulldozer were busy moving dirt all day

Info on the steam shovel

This baby alpaca had the softest fur

I got to try out a mini tractor

Horse power was used to cut the wood with this saw

Amazing colours on this Golden Pheasant

Mini steam thresher with its wood wagon

Wheels, pulleys and cogs

Nice hairdo

This rides like a tricycle and you steer with the ranes

One of the many big steam threshers

They had a petting area for the kids

Duncan drooled when he saw this Thunderbird

An old fifth wheel still being used

Saturday sunset over Lake Huron

Sun breaking through the clouds

Red and purple after the sun disappears

Crab spider looking for a snack

Mushroom that broke through the bark

Webs on the dried thistles

Golden beauty in the late summer

One of many monarchs