30,000 Islands and Georgian Bay (week 74)

Eastern Georgian Bay is part of the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, granite bedrock exposed by the glaciers at the end of the last ice age, about 11,000 years ago.  The granite rock formations and windswept eastern white pine are characteristic of the island and much of the shoreline of the bay.  The rugged beauty of the area inspired landscapes by artists of the Group of Seven.  There are tens of thousands of islands in Georgian Bay.  Most of the islands are along the east side of the bay and are collectively known as the “Thirty Thousand Islands”.  In 2004, the Georgian Bay Littoral was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

This week I was fortunate enough to be able to take two boat cruises out in the bay.  The first was a commercial boat tour, the second was with my friends in a water taxi.  A mix of weather both days - cloudy periods, some rain, and then the sun would come out.  I’ll pick and choose from the many photos I took on both trips and hopefully be able to show off the beauty of that area.

A barge that has to be used by anyone building/renovating as all cottages are water access only.

Rose Point Swing Bridge was built in the late 1800s to connect the mainland with Parry Island.  This bridge still swings open to let larger vessels though.

The barge followed us through.

The islands, and cottages, on Georgian Bay are accessible only by boat, or plane.

The lighthouse at the point in Killbear Provincial Park.  You’ll see if from the land side in another post as I spent some time hiking in Killbear as well.

Located on Frying Pan Island is a Georgian Bay icon - Henry’s Fish Restaurant, which is known for it’s famous pickerel dinners.

This was my view while eating lunch (above) and I’ll leave it up to you to guess which boat was my transportation there.  (Hint - yellow)

The CPR trestle at the mouth of the Seguin River…with one of many daily trains.