Angel,
We have driven up Highway 6 through Guelph, Mount
Forest, and Owen Sound. Making our way north up the Bruce Peninsula along the
ancient and broken spine of this continent that is the Niagara Escarpment. This
land is home to some of oldest living trees, scraggled and clinging to the
edges of vertical rock cliffs – not much to look at, but hard and tough. We are
pushing our way up along a jut of land between Georgian Bay to our right and
the mighty Lake Huron to our left – trees, rocks, and road – under a brilliant
blue sky whisped with high white clouds.. Through clearings we glimpse the sun
splintered like diamonds on deep cold lakes and shallow warm ponds. The hum of
the wheels, the rush of wind, and the soft of your hand in mine as we reach the
end of this land, sloping toward the pier and ferry docks.
Here, we will queue up and wait to board the ferry
Chi-Cheemaun that will take us on the two hour crossing to South Baymouth on
the ancient Manitoulin Island – simply known as ‘The Island’. We will cross the
hundred miles of this mystical and sacred land of farms and lakes and towns and
wild country. We will travel up and down the rolling hills and across the flats
– past houses and reserves – stopping at a roadside station for food, fuel and
to stretch our legs in the hot mid-afternoon. By the early evening we will
reach Meldrum Bay where we will check into our room for the night. We will eat
our dinner on the long shellacked pine tables – simple but delicious food
followed by strong coffee in heavy mugs..
We will walk down to the lighthouse and sit on what
feels like the edge of the world to watch the sun go down over the North
Channel. Streaks of red and purple as the fat orange sun slips below the
horizon. As the crickets start to sing and dew settles on the grass, we will
make our way slowly up the road back to the Inn as a million million stars
reveal themselves against black velvet sky.
We will make our way up to our room, the wooden stairs
of the old inn creaking beneath our feet. The comforting smell of
sawdust, wood smoke, and fresh linens greet us as we enter our room.
Weary from the long travel of the day and fresh air, yet excited for the start
of our adventure. We will wrap ourselves up under the heavy quilt and in each
other. We will make slow passionate love and sleep in the high wrought iron
bed, thick mattressed and squeaking slightly. We will refresh our bodies and
nourish each other through the night – waking to a cool bright day that will
warm as the sun rises..
We will dress and head downstairs to breakfast and our
first coffee.. We will then ready ourselves for the next part our
journey.. Today we will reach our destination..
