Summer vacation...

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..