Destination: Finish Line
Distance: ~15km
Leave Midland and cross back over towards the finish line in Waubaushene or Victoria Harbour to complete the trip, depending on where I started from. My Mother and Brother both currently reside in Victoria Harbour.
Destination: Midland
Distance: ~20km
Not sure if I will stop here or not, I went to high school here and been so many times I have no real desire to make the trek down into Midland Bay, if my paddle buddy is with me then I will, just to hit the local bar, camping is fairly limited on this stretch but I do have family here as well.
Destination: Penetanguishene
Distance: ~20km
This is where my mother grew up, I have family on the water and will stop in for a visit. My uncle on my Father’s side bought the house from my grandfather on my Mother’s side. Still the only cottage/home growing up that had an elevator from 1st to 2nd floor, we had a hoot as kids. My uncle has transformed the place into quite the cottage and glad he kept the elevator.
Also would not be right if I didn’t stop in at the World Famous Dock Lunch, best burgers in the world, Webbers has nothing on a good Dock Lunch hoe down.
Destination: Awenda Park
Distance: ~10km
Day 35-37 is a little up in the air, will take trips out to the 3 islands off the coast, Christian, Beckwith and Hope. Some great camping spots, been many times by boat and it’s an amazing area. Hope to make it out to Giants Tomb as well but might do that on stage one as I pass by going north.
Destination: Thunder Beach
Distance: ~20km
This is where my Father grew up, my grandfather owned the Ice Shack and rumour has it made moonshine (unconfirmed) although my father did have a huge BBQ and with a few minor tweaks it became a Still. My first experience with alcohol was with Moonshine and to this day, my most favorite drink mixed with pink lemonade, haven’t had in years. Both my Grandfather and Father have passed on and I’ve heard there are still a few bottles around somewhere from their last batch, one day I will find it.
Destination: Lafontaine
Distance: ~20km
Starting to get into very familiar water now, I am from a very large family (very large) my great grand parents had over 10 kids or more and each of those had 10 kids or more, etc. etc., I have family I have never met and probably wouldn’t know them if they passed them on the street. Many are from this area and my father group up not far from here in Thunder Beach.
Destination: Blue Water Beach
Distance: ~25km
Not a big fan of Wasaga Beach at the best of times, hope it will be a weekday when passing through, too many “city folk”, something like 50-100k on a weekend and it’s just insane, that’s the worlds longest fresh water beach for ya. Thinking I will pass right through. Maybe stop in at the Nancy Island Historic Site and check out the wreck of the Nancy. A British Schooner during the War of 1812.
