Page 12 - REN_May-June 2021

TRAVEL Manitoulin Island, Ontario:

Lakes, Lagers and Lore

Jules Torti courtesy Realtor.ca
ocated 300 km north of Toronto, Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater
island in the world. To Indigenous peoples, it’s known as Mnidoo Mnising
L(Manitoulin Island), home of the Anishinaabe.The island’s population
swells enormously from its year-round resident number of 13,557 as soon as the MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry begins to
purr on May 1.
The MS Chi-Cheemaun (‘big Canoe’ in Ojibwe) service
from South Baymouth (Manitoulin) to Tobermory
operates until mid-October with three or four
crossings a day (two hours, one-way). For those
making the trip on a regular basis, a loyalty program
is available to anyone taking more than nine one-
way trips per season. The tenth crossing is free for
the adult passenger and vehicle (with some size
restrictions). Residents and visitors can also choose to
travel north on Highway 6 from Little Current through
Espanola to the Trans-Canada Highway (40 minutes)
throughout the year.
Image via Jules Torti
Hikers set off in all directions as do kayakers, keen to explore the 108 freshwater lakes. Photographers keep to the
coastline too, capturing imposing beacons like the Mississagi Straits Lighthouse along the Manitoulin Lighthouses
and Heritage tour. Boaters gravitate to the serene waters of the North Channel and Gore Bay’s Friday Farmers Market
and Fish Market.

Fishermen dot the shorelines and deeper waters downrigging salmon. Birders brake for Sandhill cranes and migrating
“kettles” of hawks. The island is a magnet for a myriad of pursuits and distinctive experiences like sleeping in a covered
wagon or Tipi.

Did you know?
• “Haw Eater” is the unique distinction awarded to a person born on
Manitoulin Island. Hawberries flourish on the island and are found
in everything from ice cream to beer. While Manitoulin Brewing Co.
dedicated their Haw Eaters’ Brew lager to island folk, everyone is
invited to live like a local!
• The iconic Little Current Swing Bridge connects Manitoulin to Goat
Island, creating the only land access. The 368-foot swing bridge span
was once a railway-only bridge. It remained in the open position except
when a train needed to pass. Passenger traffic to Goat Island was only
possible by ferry until 1946. Rail use was suspended in the 1980s
and the bridge now serves vehicle traffic only. (*Fun fact: Manitoulin
Brewing dedicated a beer to the Swing Bridge too!).
• Globally rare exposed limestone ‘alvars’ are found in two places:
Northern Europe and the Great Lakes Basin. At Misery Bay Provincial
Park you can check out old glacial beaches, lunar-like dolostone
pavement and Pitcher’s thistle.
Image via Jules Torti

12 | REAL ESTATE NOW | denise@BCislandhomes.ca