Author georgianbaybeauties

The Big Dipper

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A visit to Killarney Mountain Lodge would not be complete without a photo op beside the largest paddle in the world!

Killarney Mountain Lodge

Fondly named “The Big Dipper” by the builder – expedition paddler Mike Ranta – the paddle was completed in 2020 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Killarney, Ontario.

Built of eastern white cedar and pine, the paddle is 107’ long and 17’ wide at the blade. Situated beside “Canada House”, it overlooks the Bay and contains a time capsule that will be opened in the year 2220.

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Beer in a Bubble, Georgian Bay Style

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We Canadians sure won’t let a little cold weather stop us from enjoying our patio brews and views! With our boats stored away, weekends can be a bit dull so if you are looking for a day trip, check out my visit to the Trestle Brewery in Parry Sound. But really all you gotta know is the patio bubbles are warm, the brews are cold, and you can’t beat the Dirty Bird as far as food choices!

Aptly named for the iconic CPR trestle bridge it sits next to, the Trestle Brewery opened it’s doors in 2018 and has become a favorite for boaters and tourists visiting the town in the summer months. My visit this month will be my 5th since they opened and every time has been a great experience.

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Last Call

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It was exactly 5 months ago today I boarded Pearl for the first time as her new owner, knowing I had a long journey ahead and with an unknown partner. And now that I think about it, she didn’t even have a name…so she truly was an “unknown”! However Pearl quickly proved herself to be a trusted and reliable ally from our first trip out, travelling from the south end of the St Clair River, crossing both Lake Huron and Georgian Bay effortlessly!

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”She Ain’t Pretty”

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The elusive Pike. I never expected to find myself writing about a Northern Pike – ever – but for some reason, this one has been in my head since I caught her/him last weekend.

A 10 pounder, fresh from the waters of Georgian Bay and let me tell you, it is no easy feat to find and pull one of these lake monsters out of the deep and into your net! Aggressive carnivores they are, the Northern Pike will lie quietly, deep in the weeds, waiting for prey to travel overhead and then attack! If it’s your lure they chomp down on, get ready for a wild ride and hope your line holds! They are fast and agile with razor sharp teeth and should only be handled with gloves and a net.

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A Toast to the Animals of the Bay

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When my parents retired from recreational boating 25 years ago they bought a three season cottage on a Georgian Bay island where they could live from May until October, enjoying the beauty and magic of the Bay.

And in the time I have spent visiting and vacationing there over the years, I have found one of the most amazing things that never fails to disappoint are the resident animals – our “animals of the hood” as I like to call them.

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