First day on Manitoulin Island

My first day on Manitoulin Island and I spent it driving a big loop essentially, throughout the middle of the island.  From Providence Bay on the south shore, up to Gore Bay on the north shore, traveling around Lake Mindemoya and Lake Kagawong.

First stop, not far from the B&B, was at a lovely cenotaph, dedicated to the memory of all the men and women from all municipalities and First Nations of Manitoulin who answered the call of their country.

At M'Chigeeng, the Immaculate Conception Church blends First Nations and Catholic religious traditions.  Visitors are welcome in the unusual round building with a conical roof that recalls a traditional teepee.  On the bright blue front door, a yellow sun with four rays in the shape of a cross is a First Nations symbol of Christ.  Inside, other First Nations paintings and carvings decorate the church.

Kagawong was the next stop, a delightful little hamlet located on the shore of Mudge Bay.  Bridal Veil Falls is a waterfall near the town of Kagawong.  The water source is the Kagawong River which flows from Lake Kagawong to Lake Huron.  Bridal Veil Falls has a height of approximately 11m.  

There is a short hiking trail from the falls down to the North Channel (Mudge Bay) with some interesting art works, and little waterfalls in the cliffs, to look at along the way.

At the end of the trail you will find the building that was originally a pulp mill, built in 1925.  The pulp was shipped by freighter to the United States and processed into paper for Sears Roebuck catalogues.

Located next to the old mill is a log building, built in 1890, that served as a general store and post office.

Next stop today was the village of Gore Bay, located on Gore Bay on the North Channel.  Gore Bay has a population of approx. 850 people and is one of the two incorporated towns on the island.  It is also the administrative and government seat for all the communities on Manitoulin Island.  East Bluff Look-out allows for a very scenic look down on both the village and the bay.

Back to Providence Bay at the end of the day - just in time for sunset on the boardwalk.