Georgian Bay Travel News Updates April 2010

New Georgian Bay Website features Information for Yachting and Boating
Ontario based web marketing company, announces the launch of their new comprehensive Georgian Bay Region yacht directory web site. Boating Georgian Bay (http://www.BoatingGeorgianBay.com) will be a one stop resource for all things Georgian Bay and contain invaluable information, tips, reviews and guides for Georgian Bay area boaters and for visiting yachtsman from around the world.
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Fly Fish the Bighead River: May 14-16
By Moderator
Located 2 hours from Toronto in Walter's Falls between Meaford and Owen Sound in the Georgian Highlands, the Falls Inn opened in 2005 and is a member of Ontario's Finest Inns that is ideally located to access many of Ontario's premier ...
Discover Fly Fishing at WILSON'S
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Searchers Needed to find Spotted Turtle
Wye Marsh, Ontario's leading wetland education centre is looking for volunteers to find the elusive and endangered Spotted Turtle once common in the Fens of the Wye Valley .......an important Georgian Bay wetland......
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Ontario's North Channel – A Boater's Paradise - Boating, Northern ...
. Northern Ontario is big. Towering old growth forest,
lush wetlands, world renowned coastal vistas, thundering white water and cascading ...----------------

Parry Sound included in 10 Best Places to Kayak--Adventure Kayak
As the closest town to Georgian Bay's 30,000 islands and the municipal hub of the Georgian Bay UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Parry Sound is the launch point for some of the best sea kayaking to be found between Portland East and Portand West (see 3, above). Plans are afoot to build a coastal hiking trail in the style of B.C.'s West Coast Trail, but why wait when you can see it all now by kayak.

Obama Good For Georgian Bay??

Election of Barack Obama Holds ‘Great Promise for Restoration of Great Lakes’

For Immediate Release:

November 5, 2008


ANN ARBOR, MICH. (November 5, 2008)— “The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition is excited about Sen. Barack Obama’s victory and looks forward to working with his Administration and the new Congress for the change we need to restore and protect the Great Lakes—a national icon that is the foundation of our national economy and the source of our drinking water, health and way of life.

“The election of Barack Obama holds great promise for the restoration of the Great Lakes. During his tenure as a Great Lakes senator, President-elect Obama championed the restoration of the Great Lakes. He further showed his leadership for healthy lakes and healthy lives during his campaign for the White House by proposing a five-point restoration plan – including $5 billion in new federal funds - to address the serious threats to the lakes such as aquatic invasive species, toxic pollution, and sewage overflows.

“The millions of people who rely on the Great Lakes now count on President-elect Obama’s leadership to restore these waters, before the problems worsen and become more costly to correct.



“Restoring the Great Lakes will not only help the environment, it moves America forward by putting people to work, boosting property values in the region and increasing the tourism and fishing industry. An investment in the Great Lakes creates jobs and provides a solid return on investment for the region and the nation.



“We’ll work with President-elect Obama and the new Congress to make sure the goals and recommendations of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy are met and funded so we can protect our drinking water, economy, public health and way of life.”

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition consists of more than 100 environmental, conservation, outdoor recreation organizations, zoos, aquariums and museums representing millions of people, whose common goal is to restore and protect the Great Lakes. The coalition is nonpartisan and does not endorse, support, or oppose candidates.


Contact:

Jeff Skelding, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, (202) 797-6893, JSkelding@nwf.org

Jordan Lubetkin, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, (734) 904-1589, lubetkin@nwf.org

Georgian Bay Eco Museum is a member of the "Healing our Waters Great Lakes Coalition"

Georgian Bay Getaways North of Toronto

SUMMER FUN ALONG GEORGIAN BAY

Georgian Bay is one of the freshest great resort destinations in Canada........the largest freshwater beach, largest fresh water island, and numerous provincial and national parks and biosphere reserves. Discover First Nations peoples and Native Pow Wows during the summer season. http://www.400eleven.com/georgian-bay.html

Georgian Bay Earth Week Activities

Photo: Wye Marsh Clean-up Team

Grey Bruce - Ontario, CA | UR Grey Bruce

April and May in Southern Georgian Bay will be a time of re-awakening ... Dinners, National Wildlife Week activities, Earth Day clean-ups, Astronomy Day, ... www.owensoundsuntimes.com/Community/NewsDisplay.aspx?c=4604 -

Georgian Bay Tourism Group > Spring Events and Festivals

Spring Awakenings: Events & Festival along Southern Georgian Bay ... Heritage Dinners, National Wildlife Week activities, Earth Day clean-ups, ... www.georgianbaytourism.on.ca/NewsDetails/08-04-03/spring_events_and_festivals.aspx -

Southern Georgian Bay - Local News

Local News in the Southern Georgian Bay area. ... Outdoors with Nature. *April 22 Earth Day and Earth Week in Tiny Township ... www.southerngeorgianbay.on.ca/news/arcnews/080402.html - 8k -

White Squall - Sea Kayak the 30000 Islands of Georgian Bay ...

White Squall takes you by kayak to Georgian Bay’s 30000 islands in Ontario, ...Earth - White Squall - 4th ... National Geographic Adventures Best Outfitters on www.whitesquall.com/ - 31k - Wye Marsh - Events Join us on Earth Day for Team-up to Clean-up from 9:00 am to noon in partnership with Georgian Bay Islands National Park . Meet in the Wye Marsh parking lot ... www.wyemarsh.com/events.html - 20k -

Georgian Bay Colours Fall Fairs Foliage Fall Colours (Colors) Farmers' Markets

Thanksgiving Weekend In Georgian Bay Area

Ministry of Tourism is reporting the following leaf change percentages for a number of areas in the Province of Ontario for Thanksgiving Weekend in the Georgian Bay Area.
Visit a fall fair or a farmers' market for the fall harvest.
The Manitoulin Island region has seen the colours advance to a 70 to 80% change with dominant colours being red, orange, yellow and some brown with green for contrast. Highway 6 from South Baymouth to the junction of Highway 542 is a nice fall colour drive. There continues to be nice pockets of colour around Mindemoya.

The Barrie, Orillia, Midland and across to Wasaga Beach area is showing a 50 - 60% colour change.

Killarney Provincial Park, along the shore of Georgian Bay, reports the colour has advanced to about a 70% change, with 10-19% leafall. The Granite Ridge Trail, in the park, offers some nice fall colour viewing.

The Parry Sound and Muskoka regions are starting to see some good fall colour with a 65 to 80% change at this time with some beautiful areas of bright orange and red with 25-30% leafall.

The Collingwood area offers some ideal fall colour viewing locations especially around the Scenic Caves. The area is reporting a 70% change. The view from the suspension bridge at Scenic Caves, at the top of Blue Mountain, is always incredible but especially nice during the fall

There are several excellent lookout locations in the Beaver Valley as you approach the village of Kimberley from the south on Grey County Road 13. Continuing on Grey County 13 to Thornbury is very nice as well.

See suggested fall drives and details on possible fall colour road trips provided by www.400Eleven.com.

Georgian Bay's Wasaga Beach Development In the News

Getting the Cars Off Wasaga Beach Strip Can Only Be Good For The Environment and the health of all of the visitors who swim at Wasaga. With the announcement today in the Globe and Mail of the massive re-development of Wasaga Beach, a part of the plan is to move the traditional driving strip (which is close to the water) into a boardwalk. This will help stop the amount of oil drippings and other auto detritus washed into Georgian Bay. This will help Wasaga maintain its Blue Flag quality beach status and a health safe environment for families.

The theme of a 'New Orleans' concept is perhaps not as culturally appealing as a sound Canadian historical theme. This is the side of the Development that needs to be tweaked with community input from the historical and cultural development side.

I don't not see any reference to the beach ecology of the area, and this needs to be addressed.

Otherwise, the concept of a newer four season resort development is all positive for Wasaga Beach and the open concept Georgian Bay Eco Museum. Congratulations go out to Levy brothers insight and vision.

Georgian Bay Travel Events Weekend of August 17-19 2007

Ontario Travel Events on Georgian Bay's West Coast and Manitoulin Island

Manitoulin Island will be hosting the Providence Bay Fair Aug. 17 to 19 at
the Providence Bay fairgrounds. Events include Light Horse Club show
Providence Bay Fair (Providence Bay Agricultural Society)
Date: August 17 - 20, 2007
Phone: 705-377-4876/705-377-5904 fair
Email: dwitty@amtelecom.net

Owen Sound hosts Sumerfolk: Third weekend in August from the shores of beautiful Kelso Beach Park, The Georgian Bay Folk Society is pleased to present the 30th annual Music and Crafts Festival "Summerfolk". We are especially proud this year to celebrate our 30th Anniversary! Come help us Celebrate The Past - Embrace the Future. August 19, 21 & 21, 2005.Carolyn Bigley Tickets available online or by calling 1-866-5ATTACK gbfs@bmts.comwww.summerfolk.org

r over three decades our festival has presented artists from the four corners of the earth, ranging from emerging young talent to some of the biggest names in folk music.

Georgian Bay Wonders-30,000 Wonders

Although neither Georgian Bay nor Manitoulin Island made the seven wonders of Canada as identified by CBC, the reality is there are more than 30,000 wonders in the newest biosphere reserve along the southeast, and east side of Georgian Bay. The 30,000 islands is not only a natural wonder, its history is deeply rooted in First Nations folklore and history. The statue in the town of Penetangishene is the sight of one of the most interesting stories as to how the 30,000 was formed. Georgian Bay has its own "sleeping giant" in Giant's Tomb Island, one of the larger of the islands in Southern Georgian Bay.

The bottom of the statue tells part of the story, however, you need to cruise around the 30,000 islands to experience the power of Kichikewwana.

A variety of accommodation is available. Book your Ontario summer accommodation in the Midland/Penetang area.

Georgian Bay Beaches Are Waiting

This past week I ventured over to Awenda Provincial Park for a late afternoon hike and to my surprise the beaches were empty. It was 90 degrees, the water was clear and beautiful waiting for Ontario's summer visitors. Without a doubt of the 3 beaches at Awenda, the third beach is the most inviting however it takes about a 15 minute hike to get there. Visitors staying in the Midland Penetang area should head out on a drive around the tip of Penetang Bay to Awenda. See suggested spring and summer road trips for directions.

Georgian Bay Trails of Discovery-Tay Shore Trail

Explore Georgian Bay and Be Eco Friendly

Discover the Tay Shore Trail staring in Victoria Harbour and ending in Midland, Ontario. This recently built trail is a nice flat and paved trail for cyclists, joggers, hikers, and rollerbladers. You can also go off trail and explore the towns of Victoria Harbour, Port McNicoll and Midland & Penetanguishene.


The trail runs along the shore in Victoria Harbour to Port McNicoll with a park at the Trestle Park. Hogg bay is visible from parts of the Trail. SEE Tay Shore Trail Map.

The trail crosses Highway 12 and heads inland, and then crosses the Old Fort Road leading to Midland, and goes past the Wye Marsh and Sainte Marie among the Hurons.
A stop at Ontario's famous Wye Marsh, to see the Trumpeter Swans is a must.
Plans are underway to expand to the east to Waubaushene at the junction of Highway 400 and Highway 12. To access the trail take Highway 400 north to Highway 12 west, proceed west for approximately 10 minutes and proceed into Victoria Harbour. More trail information on Georgian Bay area trails

Georgian Bay One of Canada's Seven Wonders

Why do you like Georgian Bay?

Post your comments on our web blog or proceed to the CBC website and vote Georgian Bay as one of Canada's Seven Wonders.