30,000 Island Boat Cruise- Midland, Ontario

October 2009

There is no better way to explore the 30,000 but by boat. The 30,000 islands are considered one of finest cruising areas in Canada and North America. There are several companies that offer boat cruises to these beautiful islands either from Midland or Parry Sound. The 30,000 Islands are situated 2 hrs north of Toronto on Georgian Bay. Georgian Bay covers an area of over 15,000 kms almost equaling the size of Lake Ontario. On the south eastern side of the bay lie a group of  islands ranging in various sizes. These islands are known as the “Thirty Thousand Islands” and they are simply spectacular. Granite rock formations and windswept pines are characteristics of the islands and shoreline that inspired the Group of Seven painters.

 Midland Tours offers 2-3 hr cruises that depart from the Midland Town Dock. This boat tour follows the shores of Beausoleil Island which is the largest of the Georgian Bay National Park islands. It continues pass Brebeuf Lighthouse offering nice close up views of the lighthouse. It sails through several smaller islands including Smooth Island pass Penetang Rock and through the narrow Little Dog/Big Dog channel passing Tomahawk Island, Roberts Island and the Delawana Inn Resort finishing once again where the cruise departed.

 

Other great Ontario Cruises include Island Queen Cruise out of Parry Sound, Flower Pot Island, Muskoka Cruises, Thousand Islands, Rideau Canal Cruise

 

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, California

June 2009

Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a California State Park which is located in Pescadero along Pacific Coast Highway 1 in California between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. The location of the lighthouse is spectacular, it is perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You can actually stay there in the restored lighthouse keepers housing, which I did, as it is also a hostel which is run by Hostelling International. The lighthouse is one of the tallest and most picturesque on the west coast of the United States measuring 115 feet. The lighthouse was designated as California Historical Landmark. In June when I visited the whole area was full with wildflowers.

It’s really nice to go for walk in the surrounding area around the lighthouse as it is rich with marine life. You’ll see such mammals as seals, sea otters, sea lions, dolphins, humpback and gray whales which can be seen from the shore as they pass by. The best time to see gray whales is when they make their annual migration from the Bering Sea to Baja California between January and April.




Pigeon Point Lighthouse is one of California’s most photographed lighthouse.

Pigeon Point was named for clipper ship Carrier Pigeon which ran aground in 1853 and sank just 500 feet from the shore.

 

Lighthouse Tower is 115 feet high and stands on a 8 foot thick concrete foundation.

This part of the coast has rocky reefs and contains a variety of plant and animal life. There is a sandy beach which can be accessed from stairs near the lighthouse. From the beach, you can see a rock formation in the middle of the cove called “Prisoner Rock”. The rock got this name because often fishermen were left stranded on it in high tides.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California

June 2009

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park not to be confused with the much bigger and popular Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is located along Pacific Highway 1 around 36 miles south of Carmel and 12 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. The 3,000 acre park stretches from the Big Sur coastline into 3,000 foot ridges and is home to 400 feet redwoods which are over 3500 years old. But the main attraction of the park is McWay Falls which tumbles over 80 feet down a granite cliff onto a secluded and very picturesque beach. The waterfall can only be viewed from the Overlook Trail since there is no access to the sandy beach and scenic cove below.

The Overlook Trail is a short trail around .5 miles return which takes roughly 10-15 minutes to walk to the overlook. From the parking lot, it follows McWay Creek, runs through a tunnel under the Coast Highway and emerges to magnificent coastal panoramas. This is a very beautiful spot that offers dramatic coastal vistas and is a must-see if you're travelling along this stretch of highway. There are benches at the end of the trail, perfect for a picnic lunch and for observing migrating grey whales.(Dec-Jan and Mar-Apr)

 

 

View of McWay Falls from the Lookout

 

 

 

 

 

For more information visit the following related links.
California State Parks

 

 

 

 



Webster Falls, Spencer Gorge Conservation Area, Ontario

March 2009

Webster Falls is situated in a small community called Greensville just outside of Hamilton and roughly a 45 minute drive from Toronto. It is part of the Niagara Escarpment which is a United Nations World Biospere Reserve. The Spencer Gorge is also home to a ribbon waterfall called Tews which at 41 metres is slightly lower than Niagara Falls.

 

After crossing a stone bridge which spans the river, this downward view of the falls can be seen from a viewing platform.

 

 

 

A series of steps leads to the base of the falls offering magnificient views

 

 

 

 

View of the falls from the river bank