Exploring the Bruce...

Wiarton is on the Bruce Peninsula, hence the motto above. It is formed mostly by the Niagara Escarpment which runs unbroken for 465 miles from Niagara Falls up through the Bruce Peninsula. It’s basically a “big ridge”. Although not very high, it does have some impressive cliffs. We’re staying in a campground at the base of the escarpment and the houses we’re working on are on top of the escarpment. Although they’re only about 10 blocks apart at the most, the incline (about 2 blocks worth) is so steep that none of us are even tempted to walk.

With the weekend off, sightseeing was definitely in order. So another collection of photos to share from left to right…

1 – Eileen Vollick – who was she? Answer - the first licensed woman pilot in Canada and she was born and raised in Wiarton. At only 5’1” she had to use cushions on the pilots seat so she could see out the cockpit. Apparently she did a lot of stunt flying until she married at which time she gave up flying altogether (guess she thought marriage was exciting enough) and moved to New York where she spent the rest of her life.

2 – John has spent the winter building what definitely looks like a boat. But what does this guy have in mind?!

3 – John and me after he’s worked my fingers to the bone…

4 – I, on the other hand, am always on the lookout for a good name for John’s new boat…

5 – Ontario has 68 different varieties of wild orchids, 44 of which are found on the Bruce Peninsula. And you thought only Hawaii had orchids, didn’t you?

6 – This is “the grotto” - a formation left on the edge of escarpment. Supposedly, if you have really good lungs and don’t mind REALLY COLD water, there’s a passage under it to the other side. None of us tried it. Of course, none of us ventured down the rocks to the water either. Wimps one and all.

7 – This photo is for Phyllis. Jim, our team member from Vermont (on the right), likes to bring his motorcycle to ride. So what does this have to do with you Phyllis? One would never suspect Jim had both his knees replaced in January, even going up and down ladders and hiking over rocky terrain. (Just think what you’ll be up to in 6 months, Phyllis?!)

8 – Some of us on the northern shore which, by the way, is only half way between the equator and the North Pole. BIG world isn’t it?!

9 – One last photo of the rugged coast and beautiful water. Did I mention this area is the scuba diving capital of Canada?