Tobermory Tales

When this year we planned to descend on bro’s family in Canada, my brief to him was that I wanted to do “different” things except for a trip to Niagara without which my mum’s agenda is incomplete. She is absolutely smitten by the gushing waterfall. One of the soujourns that the bro zeroed in on was a cottage trip to Tobermory and are we glad he did!

Sauble Beach

On the designated weekend we loaded our cars with essentials, luggage and a whole lot of sense of humour. After all it was a three and half hour journey in the SUV that was packed to the hilt and 3 young lads (almost teens) all of whom did not want to sit at the back. Anyways onwards and upwards (not really) we moved to Tobermory, stopping at the Sauble Beach. At this time of the season the beach was almost like one private beach for us, the blue of the water was shinning crystal and the water chillier than the beer I had. 

Some beach cricket and sea gull chasing later we left for Tobermory. As an aside I don’t know why but everytime I said Tobermory I thought of Sabarmati, weird eh but there is weirder stuff out there.

Once there, we checked intoTubby Lounge, a nice well maintained place with cottages overlooking Lake Huron. For a small village town and almost end-of-winter season the town was pretty well packed and teeming with activity. Popular with divers for the shipwrecks, Tobermory also happens to be Canada’s largest fresh water harbor and is divided into the “Big Tub” and “Little Tub”.   The town is dotted with quaint art galleries, a huge supermarket and patio restaurants overlooking the dazzling lake. Post settling the luggage in our cottage, we moved out to the lakeside to catch one of the most magnificent sunsets that I have ever seen, and believe me I have seen many, I heart them.

The next day we planned for a cruise that would take us to the Flower Pot island. On asking a few people the idea that we had was that it was a smallish island that will be covered in a heartbeat (well not literally). So, we hadn’t factored in much time, we should have. Cause the island is amazingly beautiful with many trails that take you to caves, grottos and open up to beauty. We did some and had to miss some since we had to take the boat back, and weren’t willing on being stranded, accessible only by boat, on an island ! though sometimes I do fantasize about how it would be like to be stranded on an island, but in my fantasies there is loads of beer, books and no snakes or slithering biting insects, add SRK and it looks perfect.

We booked us with Bruce Horn Cruises and were whisked away in a glass bottom boat that revealed a ship wreck within 5 minutes from our embarkation point. 

Shipwreck

Hospitable pleasant hosts, narrated some of the history of the island peppered with humour. Once we left the shipwreck area, we literally zoomed towards the Flower Pot Island, the lake was enveloped with fog that lifted only in parts to reveal a vistas with even more water and a stray bird or two. With droplets showering on my face and strong winds in the hair I stood at the stern and loved every moment.

Lighthouse Big Tub 

Approaching Flower Pot Island

We disembarked at the island and a couple of steps away encountered a snake, eeewwww a real coiled snake sunning itself. Moving onwards we found a nice cosy bench where we offloaded our bags full of goodies and hungrily took a lunch break. Munching on a huge roasted chicken while listening to the sounds of the lapping water and shooing away the sea gulls was quite funny and satiating at the same time.

Tummies full, we started our hike, while the father joined us mommy sat and relaxed. Surrounded by tall trees that won’t even let the sunshine fall on the trail, we marched ahead on the mushy ground and soon reached the first look out that opened out into a glorious view of the lake and the flower pot shaped rock. A couple stone throwing by the kids and selfies over, we ventured to the sea cave that was to become our next stop. A flight of stairs led us to the naturally formed cave. It is interesting to know how this cave was formed, Do read about it in the pic.

One of the most fascinating natural haven, a trip to the Flower Pot Island should def be on the list, while in Tobermory. Initially we thought it was just one rock formation that some artist type perceived as a flower pot and hence the name, but NO, we were wrong. Flower pots are actually rock formations, a type of sea stack that is created due to natural wear and tear in a manner that the top remains heavy and the bottom becomes narrow.

We wound up before the last boat exited the island and reached where we had parked off and set out to drop the tired kids and  grandparents to the cottage. Me, bro and sis-in-law decided to go and check out the tall viewing tower that would give us a birds eye view of the island located in the Fathom Five National Marine Park. Huffing and puffing up the tower on innumerable winding steel steps, we finally reached the top. The effort seemed worth its while, we were way above the tree tops and could see far and wide, and like the sis-in-law pointed out it will be a wonderful view with the trees all aflame with the fall colours, I can only imagine it.

All of this activity later, me and bro decided we had earned our beer and the pit stop was at a nice place with the patio overlooking the lake and yes free wifi from where I posted all the pics back home to hubs dear. 

A pitcher or 2 (who remembers!) of the really smooth Sleeman draught later we went on the pier to catch a yet another beautiful sunset. Life is Good.