As a passionate film
enthusiast, I’ve spent countless hours lost in the captivating narratives of
road movies. Each journey depicted on the silver screen seemed to hold a unique
allure, from the quest for self-discovery in “Into the Wild” to the pursuit of
a perfect world in “A perfect world.” Inspired by these tales of wanderlust, I
yearned for my own adventure, even without the survival skills of Christopher
McCandless or the company of a faithful companion like Stand by Me. I was influenced by films like” Nomadland” and “Kikujiro” as I set out on a
summer exploration, hoping to discover the magic that lies beyond the screen.
Ontario never experiences a shortage of water, indeed the rest of Canada. If you check Google Maps, you will see that two out of the five Great Lakes belong to Ontario. Plan a road trip driving along the beach during the summertime; it also takes you between the city and a small town in northern Ontario, passing through some truly incredible landscapes along the way.
Embarking on a
five-day road trip and sleeping in my Crosstrek, this 1200-kilometre road trip
from the vibrant city of Toronto takes around five days to drive; I found
myself immersed in an unforgettable journey filled with stunning landscapes and
thrilling adventures, taking in part of the great lakes, island, first nation
area and the beaches en route and the freedom of sleeping under the stars in
the cozy confines of my SUV. This travelogue seeks to capture the essence of my
road trip, showcasing the beauty of Ontario's countryside, the charm of
Tobermory, and the unique experience of embracing the great outdoors during
those warm summer days.
Set off from Toronto,
and Orillia is my first stop which is a 30000-population town beside Lake
Simcoe; take some time and have lunch at Mariposa Market; all the sightseeing
spots are just around the corner, such as Orillia Museum and Guardian Angels
church.
(Orillia Museum)
Keep going north and pass
Lion’s Lookout, which is in Huntsville; you have unobstructed the town and
Fairy Lake view 360 degrees. Despite the recent sustained high temperature, I
have chilled here to soak in the breeze for the summer afternoon, which is a beautiful
day.
(Brook's Falls)
Before sunset, I found
the hidden gem falls; Brook’s Falls had provided me with a natural hydro spa to
release the prolonged driving exhaustion. Just imagine sitting under the falls with
the water pressure falling to acupoints all over the body even the white noise
generated from the falls can treat your insomnia, thanks all to Mother Nature.
(Huntsville)
Notoriously, the most
famous mussels are from Chile; I would like to tell you that 41 freshwater
mussel species live in Ontario rivers and lakes, as they are the natural water filter
even. Obviously, it’s time to have a blast tonight; the 1886 lake house bistro
beside Lake Nipissing, located in Callander town which exists in 1886, takes
some patience to get the sit during the dinner peak time while you have a
chance to taste Mussels served with zucchini and creamy sauces that must be
worthwhile.
(Mussels, 1886Lake Bistro)
Sunset Park is the
best bet place to watch a stunning sunset over Lake Nipissing is an essential
activity to do after dinner. The lake is shallow and warm, making it perfect
for swimming. You can even wade up to 500 meters from shore to get as close to
the sunset as possible.
(Lake Nipissing Sunset)
My original plan was to go along with 69 Highway back to Toronto. I changed my route since some fantastic local people tell me that If you wish to stop along the way, there are a few options available to you. Alternatively, if you intend to extend your trip, why not visit both places to experience two distinct sides of Ontario? And I decided to return from 6 Highway through Manitoulin Island and take the ferry back to Tobermory. I’m glad to meet Andrew, who provided helpful information and took me up a step of the ladder on this trip.
(Whitefish Falls)
Most of the residents living on Manitoulin Island are first nation; they are diligent and creative, reflected by the countless handmade store and galleries along the way, Dream Catcher is a great souvenir hand-made of willow hoop, fishing net and leather, dotted with colourful energy stones, and it was said that they "caught any harm that might be in the air as a spider's web catches and holds whatever comes in contact with it."
(Dream Catcher)
Take a tour of the island to explore indigenous-owned stores, which is not the only thing to do, and also to enjoy a meal or coffee in one of the town’s excellent small eateries, such as Church Mouse café, it’s renovated from a church since built in 1912, Nicky bought this place when she retired from immigrant bureau and back to Espanola which was she born in this small town. She bakes and brews coffee from Wednesday to Sunday, even the light brunch; she has renovated two cabins recently and would like to entertain people who were passing by like me; say Hi to her from Boris.
One of the oldest churches on the island initially build in 1884, and so far, only the main structure of the building has been preserved. The sunshine on this ancient building and the light, shadow and birdsong is still beautiful; touch and feel the time create this specific texture on the stones.
(Holy Cross Mission Est.1884)
If you're looking for more than just a satisfying historical site and a good meal, it's a great time to leave the main road and head northwest to discover the secluded beach of Prairie Point. You can discover tranquillity and appreciate the calm atmosphere to your heart's desire in that place.
As my road trip drew
to a close, I found MS Chi-Cheemaun, which is the vessel since served in 1974,
and she was the third-biggest ferry in the world to connect 6 Highway from Baymouth
on Manitoulin Island to Tobermory on the Bruce peninsula. MS Chi-Cheemaun makes
the 40 km trip in about 100 minutes and gives me a great chance to soak in the
sun on the deck to write down my first road trip travelogue.
(Lake Huron)Inspired by the road
movies I had watched, my road trip proved to be a unique and personal exploration.
Although I may not have replicated the exact experiences of the characters I
admired, their spirit and sense of adventure resonated deeply within me. I
discovered that road movies are not just about the destinations but about the
transformative journeys we undertake, both externally and internally. Through
my own road trip, I had the opportunity to live out my own story, one that was
filled with unexpected twists, personal growth, and the freedom that comes with
embracing the unknown.
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