Dear Gilles,
I really can't leave updating our travels to you in detail for too long - I end up forgetting some of the fun observations of the day.
During our stop-and-go traffic on the way east - my brother was able to do research on how to get to Pelee Island. When I originally planned this side adventure - I only considered the southernmost mainland point of Canada. I didn't consider the island. It would be a missed opportunity if we didn't make it to the island itself (even though Middle Island is the actual southern point).
He was able to secure us some walk-on tickets to the Island. So after checking maps and making some distance assumptions - we figure we could take ourselves over and the walk would still be reasonable for the kidlets to make it to the point and back before the ferry returned to the mainland.
So, we boarded the ferry for a 10am sailing. Reached Pelee Island at 11:30. Proceeded to the visitor centre located immediately in front of the dock and chatted with the nice person in charge. She said it's a 40 minute walk by road to the Provincial Nature Reserve - as long as we don't get distracted by the winery along the way (she was right on the timing). But once we got there - it was an additional 1.6 km to the point. It was an enjoyable walk - but seemed longer than advertised.
The first portion was through wooded forest with large patches of trilliums. Amazing patches of trilliums. L&P were not impressed - but when you grow up in Ontario and rarely are in areas where the provincial flower is so numerous - it made me feel thankful to see it.
We passed numerous birders - who were more excited for what they saw through the tree branches than reaching the point. They were also excited to share their observations with us including bird call identification.
The second portion was beach walking. Lots of shells, lots of waves and the point was WINDY.
It was worth the walk and the extra effort for booking the ferry.
We did make it to the point and back with about 45 minutes to spare. The promise of ice cream at the end helped to make the trip shorter. BUT ice cream was closed. So we had french fries instead.
Once we got off the ferry we had to stop at the dollar store for some beach treasure boxes and some Warheads soda. Then we went for chinese food in Wheatly.
And somehow these children STILL had ENERGY to play grounders in the playground!
Either way - good sleeping on the comfy air mattresses for another night.
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