Got the tent put away by 4:30 am, before the hard rains came down-hooray, since I don’t enjoy putting the tent away when it’s soaking wet, or taking it down in the pouring rain, either. First stop, Bethune Memorial House NHS in Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada. I arrived at 9:40, noticing that opening wasn’t until 10 am. A kind ranger came out to advise me that I would have time for a coffee down the way rather than just waiting. After thanking her, off I went, but found a Park by the water a few short blocks away to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a plum from the rations I carry. I photographed some brochures I had. Then to Canada Post to mail a postcard and buy extra stamps to mail postcards to grandchildren later in the day. Back to Bethune site by 10:40. Dr Norman Bethune was a doctor and humanitarian of the highest order, known worldwide. He was born at this site in 1890. His father was a Presbyterian minister. His paternal grandfather (or was it great grandfather?) had begun the Presbyterian church in Canada. There were b&w movies of Bethune’s taking refrigerated blood to military forces in Spain to save lives. He married, but then got TB which was a death sentence at that time. He recovered and remarried the same woman, Elizabeth Goodwin. He came up with a design for a necklace to assist in treatment of TB. He designed surgical instruments which he used. He assisted in China where he died at 49 from a cut sustained performing surgery from which his weakened state could not heal. The house displayed one Oriental chair which was original to Bethune, and the rest designed in period pieces. The displays had text in 3 languages-English, French and Chinese.
Drive through Muskoka area, over the Severn Bridge and down Canal Rd, when a squirrel ran across the road. The squirrel was a very dark gray in color, as was another one I encountered much later on the day’s journey. The Mnjibaning Fish Weirs on the map required a Google search to discover they are now called Atherly Narrows, over which Ontario 12 now passes, which Indians are trying to protect as their ancestors created these areas to catch fish many years ago. I headed to Wasaga Beach Provincial Park, which my GPS took me to a field and there were no signs for it, just a huge area of retirement villages. So, headed on Route 26 towards Craigleith Provincial Park, to discover Northwinds Beach where I could enjoy the cloudy, rainy day while taking in the Southern Georgian Bay scent, sounds, and sights. Rain is forecast again, so I forego any more beach activity I had planned on Bruce Peninsula to head towards Toronto. Holding onto the idea that rain is really liquid sunshine, but better sightseeing in a city than at the beaches when liquid sunshine happens. Enjoy the moment, each and every one of them ! P.S. Lynne McTaggart is hosting a Peace Intention Experiment from 9/30-10/5, online, if you want to participate you could Google it; it’s free!
Now Is Heaven 
You must be logged in to post a comment.