Welcome!

We are making the "Great Loop" - up the east coast, through the Great Lakes and into Canada, and then down the Mississippi and around Florida. It promises to be the adventure of a lifetime! We invite you to join us through our blog.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Parry Sound, ON

Hi everyone!

Yesterday morning we rode our bikes into town for a nice breakfast and a look around. We browsed through some interesting shops and then headed out for the local museum. The trek to the museum wasn't all that far, but the road to get there was steep. We were pushing our bicycles, and eventually Steve had to push mine for me - but we got there and it was worth the trip.

Parry Sound has a native tradition, as most places around here do. Fur traders came here early on, followed by settlers. In the mid to late 1800s, lumber and shipping were the main industries. Many of the settlers had been given land sight unseen and upon arrival sometimes found that it was impossible to farm. Those who stayed ended up working for the lumber companies at least part of the year.

The museum had wonderful displays and did not mind me taking photos.. Chris called while we were touring to say that he had received his official diploma from SCAD. He graduated cum laude! although he was not recognized for it at graduation. That's OK. It will be on his transcript. I had stepped out to the lobby to talk to him, and was discovered by a little girl who was a little older than Olivia. I guess they recognize "grannies". On the museum property was a tall tower that you could climb for a view of the Sound. Steve climbed it (of course) and I stayed on terra firma.We made our way back to the boat, with me gathering wildflowers along the way.

After Ryder and I had our nap, we found that The Cooper was tied up next to us. We spoke to Gigi (and Rusty and Betty). They are staying another day. We are leaving today (Sunday) for an anchorage in Hopewell Bay - so no wifi for a day or two. This morning we talked to Gigi and took some photos of a cloudy sunrise. Still having a wonderful time! We will be in touch from the next marina.

Lill's Place - great breakfast

Mad Hatter - they had real iced tea! (not sweet, of course, but real tea)

The bookstore had this great dragon in the kid's section

Loved the moose. This is for Chris.


More mooses!



The apron says: Making a moose in the kitchen


Had to take this through glass



We saw this on the way to the museum


Old road grader/snow plow


This is a tool to shape snow shoes



A lighthouse lens to amplify the light. We have a small version of this at home.

A cradle board, with a Scottish blanket

Model of a crane for moving timber


An Inuit-style painting in the museum

A large bellows made by "Grievous" Moore. He was called this because he often said "Good grievous!"



One of the locals made this to make his commute to work easier. The railroad liked it so much, they had him make them for their use.

This was a real "stuffed" raccoon that kept popping up in the window



She was so cute! Kept coming over to flirt with me.


This totem pole was almost two stories tall

You can see Steve in the right corner

Looks like he's caged, doesn't he?


Parry Sound


Headed for dinner

This is something you don't see in south Georgia

Saw this on the way to dinner - sweet!




This little fellow is 5 weeks old.

You can see Gemini with her bow facing. Just left of center.

My wildflowers - I'm loving this!

Pretty sunrise this morning

Good morning to Gigi