Second Wind on the Great Loop and Beyond

Sunday, July 22. A bus tour with other Loopers was a good way to see the area, so we signed up. “Penetanguishene” is a native word for “place of white rolling sands.” The name “Penetang” is used interchangeably for the area today. Our tour first took us to Discovery Harbour, a re-created historic British naval base, established after the War of 1812 to protect Upper Canada from attack by "you know who." It was abandoned in 1856 and today is an interesting tourist site. We also went by the area’s largest prison (why is it that we always end up near large prisons?), and the huge mental health facility, for the criminally insane and otherwise mentally ill. They have a gorgeous view of the Bay, one of the best in the area. Location, location, location! The tour also stopped at a large Martyrs' Shrine, where people come to pray and honor Canadian martyrs. The sanctuary and grounds were lovely.

The Southern portion of Georgian Bay, where Penetang is located, is only about 90 minutes north of Toronto, but the contrast between the two areas is notable. Instead of busy metropolitan Toronto, the smaller, historic communities of Penetang and nearby Midland are pleasantly residential, infinitely quieter, and very picturesque. Both have friendly shops on each side of a main street, which ends at the Bay. We especially enjoyed looking at the murals on the town buildings and shops. One artist did most of them, and after he died, we understand that his son touches them up as necessary. Of course Georgian Bay is a prominent focus for recreation here; therefore, the area has been discovered as a desirable place to build condos. We saw only a few, but many more are planned. Maybe the town planners should take a look at what has happened to U.S. waterfronts!

# posted by Second Wind @ 9:55 PM