EDITOR’S NOTE: This year’s series of stories is geared to giving tourist visitors insights into activities Manitoulin has to offer and will focus on unique experiences available to everyone.
by Isobel Harry
Consider all of Manitoulin as your personal invitation to get outdoors and enjoy nature. To walk into the forests or by a meandering stream, gaze at the night sky, watch the deer and the sandhill cranes, ride a horse through a field of mown hay, bike the back roads, pet a pony, sail a boat, kayak or fly a kite, all can be transformative experiences, especially so for those of us who live in urban areas and may only manage a too-short country getaway now and then.
Nature has the power to instill a sense of wonder, of connectedness to all things big and small, of healing, well-being, and, yes, even happiness, that often most elusive quality of life.
There are countless activities and sports that can be enjoyed on the Island, and it is possible to just try them out or become proficient. And don’t forget the many museums, libraries and art galleries, farmers’ markets, community events and festivals, powwows and fairs. All are experiences that offer fun, amazement, new awareness, and maybe a life-changing encounter.
The following activities are geared to all ages and skills levels: some are just for kids, others perfect for elders, and still others for groups of all ages. These suggestions are about participating, learning a little of ancient traditions, animals, art, ecology, history, spirituality and the ever-present nature that surrounds us on Manitoulin.
Water and Wildlife Awareness and Ecology
Manitoulin Streams, adventure tours for adults and accompanied children:
Stream Detective, for kids, every Thursday 11-4 “until the water gets too cold.” Meet at the Discovery Centre in Providence Bay for 1 to 1 1/2 hours’ exploration of stream life, rehabilitation programs and spawning areas. $10/child, parents free.
Wilderness Awareness tour teaches the experience of the outdoors in a private area in Tehkummah by the Manitou River. Learn how to cross a stream, set a fire, build a shelter, what to take on a walk in the woods, how to react to wildlife, and edible plants. For adults and children as young as five. $65/2 hrs/includes take-home package. Year-round.
Nature Walk for all ages: watch for wildlife, learn about the stream ecosystem of the Manitou River. Free, donations accepted. Nature walks in Providence Bay and Kagawong may be arranged. Year-round.
Horseback riding tour, with an emphasis on wetlands, stream rehabilitation, traditional uses of the water; includes munchies and coffee by the campfire; lunch/picnic at additional cost. For adults and children 10 years and up. $60/1 1/2 hrs; $145/3 hrs. Special rates for birthday parties. Through September.
To pre-book these and discuss tour options, contact Sue Meert at 705-859-1653; email: streams@amtelecom.net; www. manitoulinstreams.com
Traditional Knowledge and Skills
Great Spirit Circle Trail, M’Chigeeng: experience the culture and traditions of the Anishinaabe people:
Medicine walk: learn about smudging and the medicinal and practical uses of plants; 1hr/$20/person or family rates.
Bannock and Berries: bake bannock over an open fire and enjoy it with berries and maple syrup; 1hr/$40/person; $35/elders, students.
Voice of the Drum: traditional song and drum performance; 1 hr/$40/person; make-and-take your own hand drum, learn song and drum techniques; 2-3 hrs/$225/person.
Also, overnight horse and teepee adventure, canoe heritage tours, cultural walks and craft making.
Open May-October. Call to book. Tel: 1-877-710-3211; www.circletrail.com
Workshops
Offered by Perivale Gallery, three-day art workshops at the Spring Bay Community Centre from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Creative Composition, Delightful Design with Christie Best-Pearson, choose your medium, August 22, 23, 24; Island Radiance: Add Life to your Manitoulin Landscapes with Barry Bowerman, September 5, 6, 7; Window to Your World, mixed media with Linda Finn, September 12, 13, 14. All workshops are $160 + HST.
To register, contact Shannon at 705-377-4847; 705-377-4874; email: perivalegallery@gmail.com; http://www.perivalegallery.com/news-and-events/
4elements Living Arts presents two workshops:
Kids’ Summer Art Workshops for children 8 years and older at 4elements studio, 91 Main Street, Kagawong. Outside and indoors, workshops take place every Wednesday for the remainder of August from 10 until 11:30 am, $20/session.
Spirit of Place Workshop: “to enhance our sense of the spirit at work in unique ways in our lives on this Island,” with Shannon Hengen, spiritual director with the non-denominational Ontario Jubilee Program. Bay Estates Cottage, Manitowaning/Friday, August 22/9:30 am to 2:30 pm/$50 includes lunch.
To register, call 705-282-0444; email: info@4elementslivingarts.org; www.4elementslivingarts.org
Walk, Drive, Bike guided and self-directed tours
Guided trail hikes of Misery Bay: walk to explore the geological and human history of the alvar coastline of Manitoulin with a guide, and identify the flora and fauna of this unique landscape; hikes begin at 1 pm and last approximately one hour. On Wednesdays, August 20 and 25, and Thursdays, August 21 and 27. Free. www.miserybay.org
Historical walks: Kagawong, map at Old Mill Heritage Centre; Sheguiandah, map at the Centennial Museum of Sheguiandah; Little Current, plaques along the waterfront, the perimeter of Low Island and in Turner Park; South Baymouth, pamphlet available from the Red School House Museum; Providence Bay, ask at the Discovery Centre about a tour offered by a lifelong resident.
Lighthouse tour: visit one or all nine with this handy guide available at: http://thisismanitoulin.ca/lighthouse-tour
Barn quilt tour: take a drive or bike around the Island to see quilt blocks on barns and other structures. Map at: http://assiginack.blogspot.ca/p/barn-quilt-tour.html
Yoga Weekend
Auberge Inn Outdoor Yoga Weekend Retreat, Providence Bay: relax your mind in nature with yoga at sunrise and sunset on the beach and in a forest clearing in this three-day retreat. Friday, Saturday, Sunday September 12-14/$249 + HST/includes accommodations, meals and yoga. Bicycles and kayaks available for rent. Contact Nathalie and Alain, tel: 1-877-977-4392; email: info@aubergeinn.ca; http://aubergeinn.ca/packages/outdoor-yoga-weekend-retreat
Horses and ponies, riding and lessons
Kicking Mule Ranch, Tehkummah: cowboy-themed ranch with 10 horses, 5 mules and 3 ponies; overnight self-catering accommodations for two to four people in three 1-room bunkies; camping.
Day Pass for kids aged 8-16: includes lesson/grooming/rides/10-4p.m./$85.
For grandparents and grandkids (and everyone), buggy rides, pony rides and petting zoo; Friday night musical jamborees.
Scheduled daily trail rides: 1hr/$40; 2hrs/$70; 4hrs to Lake Manitou, swim, picnic lunch/$120; 1hr ride with breakfast/$50; 4hr overnight ride to lake, campfire, steak dinner, breakfast/$199.
Open May long weekend to Thanksgiving. Closed Sundays. Contact Willie and Rick Pegelo, tel: 705-859-1234; email: williekmr@gmail.com; www.manitoulin-island.com/kmr
Honora Bay Riding Stable, Honora Bay: 200 acres and 33 horses on the North Channel near Little Current.
Summer Day Camp for youth aged 8 to 15: instruction, grooming, care of horse and equipment, trail rides; limited to 5 campers/week; first week July to last week August; 5 days/Mon-Fri/9 am-12 pm/$220 +HST.
Weekly lessons: 1 1/2hrs/$140/month; adults and children 8 years and older; for beginners, lessons in grooming, handling, equipment, safety and first rides. Private lessons 1/2hr; group lessons 1 hr. Mon-Fri/4:30 pm, subject to availability.
Clinic: bring your horse, rent a horse from the stable, or audit lessons from Lindsay Grice, certified coach and equine behaviorist, August 21, 22, 23/$225. Audit/$25.
Scheduled trail rides: 1hr/$40; 2hrs/$70; 3hrs/$85; overnight to Perch Lake, 8-10 hours on horseback /$270 includes snacks, campfire dinner, breakfast.
Open year-round. Contact Kyla Jansen, tel: 705-368-6032 or 705-368-6072; email: kyla@hbrstable.com; http://hbrstable.com
Fossils, wolves and night skies
Gordon’s Park, Hwy 6 near South Baymouth: accommodations (bed/breakfast, cabins, bunkies, tipis, camping, RVs), solar heated pool, mini putt, archery, nature centre, store.
Fossil Hunt: Discover a drumlin and fossil reef, find a Manitoulin fossil to take home. Sundays/2pm/July -August/$15/person; $35/family, 2 adults, kids under 16.
Moonlight Hike and Wolf Howl: use parabolic ears and binoculars to hunt for evidence of wolves and wildlife; call for wolves; wolf howling competition around campfire, “wolfy” prizes. Friday, August 22, 8 pm, $15 per person; $35 per family, 2 adults, kids under 16.
Guided Night Hike: tour Nature Centre, walk trails, look and listen for nocturnal animals using parabolic ears and binoculars. Saturday, August 23/9 pm/$15/person.
Astronomy: Thursday nights/July-August/$15/person.
Public Observing Session and Laser Guided Sky Tour: Introduction to astronomy and Perseids meteor showers; guided telescope and binoculars observation, laser-guided sky tour. Friday, Saturday, August 29, 30/9 pm/$15/person.
Manitoulin Star Party, Labour Day long weekend: wine and cheese reception; observation, laser guided sky tours, workshops, camping. Registration fee: $42.00 +
HST per day/person; $85 +HST per day/
famigordonspark.com/wp-content/uploads/2014-MSP-Brochure.pdf
Open May-end September. Tel: 705-859-2470; email:rita@gordonspark.com; www.gordonspark.com
For more activities listings, pick up This is Manitoulin and Manitoulin’s Magazine 2014 everywhere, and the weekly newspapers The Manitoulin Expositor and the Manitoulin West Recorder for news and events updates.
The online This is Manitoulin also offers lots of great ideas, in the unlikely event you run out of them: www.thisismanitoulin.ca.
