As summer started diminishing and fall colours emerge, we decided to sneak in a short trip to the Bruce Peninsula, Ontario.  The weather looked very promising for hiking in the Bruce Peninsula National Park and a ferry ride to Manitoulin island.

We left on a Saturday, planning a loop through the peninsula to Manitoulin Island and then come back through the other side of Georgian Bay, when BOOM. The weather changed just like that.  Now the forecast called for rain for the next 5 days. There was a giant system lingering over Ontario. Bummer.

The story of our life…we decided to try and make the best of it and just play it by ear.   The weather was still good so we stopped in Owen Sound to take a look at the cool Fish Ladder at Mill Dam.

In fall, tens of thousands of Chinook Salmon make their way up the river to their spawning grounds.  Mill Dam is the first Fish Ladder in Ontario helping them get there.

Here is a glimpse of one attempting a leap.

And here is a better look

Arriving at Bruce Peninsula National Park Cyprus campground, the nice ranger gave us a bit of a look when we said that we had no reservations, but they did have lots of space.  We hurried to settle in and sneak a hike along the shore before the rain starts.  We later learned how difficult it is to get a camping spot during the summer.  In fact, we were told that the police had to set up roadblocks and turned back anyone without a reservation since the peninsula gets too congested during the summer.

It rained all night and temperatures went down to 7c.  The rain forecast was for on and off rain throughout the day so we opted for a drive instead of a hike.

The road south led us to Lion’s Head.  A quaint village along the incredibly clear Georgian Bay azure water.   The grey sky only accentuated the scenery and colours.  What a gorgeous place.

The drive was beautiful.  We took 40 Hill Road to Cape Chin South, and Dyer’s Bay enjoying the fall colours.

We then drove to the tip of the peninsula to Tobermory and climbed the visitor centre observation deck.

What a view!

You can see a glimpse of the ferry to MAnitoulin Island in the bottom left below.

It looks like there may be a break in the weather.  Hopefully tomorrow we can do the hike to the famous Grotto!

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