ADVENTURES
Nature Trail and Legend – Dokis – Lake Nipissing West – Hwy. 64
Cultural Trails Tell Stories: Dokis Embraces More Tourism by Back Roads Bill Trails are integral to the landscape and develop meaningful connections between people and nature. No more so than to our First Peoples and their relationship with the land. Besides evidence of where people lived and travelled, trails offer clues as to the cultural values and practices of the people who used them and use them. Dokis First Nation on the far west side of Lake Nipissing at what is called the “Little” French River is a good...
Mountains in Northern Ontario – Our Peaks
by Back Roads Bill Not often but sometimes we carefully climb to the top of our roof to check the chimney, the shingles, the whirligig, the satellite dish and to secure Santa and the elves. There is something more special when you climb to the top of a mountain and you experience the 360° view. It includes the process of getting there. Measuring mountains might not seem overly complicated, but there actually are several ways in which it can be done. Depending on which technique is used, the title...
Fairy Point – Chapleau Game Preserve
The Rock Fairies – Spiritual Pictograph Site Take Care for the “Little People” by Back Roads Bill When we hear older legends about fairies, or the “wee folk,” many of us usually create the picture of green pastures in Ireland or maybe the highlands of Scotland. How many people actually think of the fairies being residents of the Northern Ontario, known as the “little people.” As you round Fairy Point, look carefully into the deep crevices of the granite walls and the quartz veins. Can you see those...
Mashkinonje – Noelville – Verner
Where to See the Ultimate Swamp – or Fen, or Bog or Pond The Best Interpretative Trail by Back Roads Bill Just where is the best interpretative trail anyway? It is place you will not want to go for a “quick hike.” It is an area where our ecological perceptions are changing. At one time everything was a “swamp,” not a place to go for a holiday or spend some quality time. We are now learning wetlands are important but we still don’t know much about bogs, fens, swamps...
‘The Tower and the Road’ – Temagami and Lake Temagami
Lasting Legacy by Back Roads Bill You have just climbed the Temagami Fire Tower and hiked the White Bear Forest. What a view, one of the many you will discover in Northeastern Ontario. And those white pine trees, majestic. After all it is Grey Owl country! There are many forest access or logging roads in Northern Ontario. One road in particular reflects a long standing heritage. It is a few kilometres north of the town on Highway 11 and worth the detour. A heritage important to many, one individual...
‘Three Vistas!’ – Mattawa Snowmobile trails
In the Beginning – Before the Trails! by Back Roads Bill Take your camera! When you are riding the snowmobile trails, to these three expansive lookouts, you are discovering more than just a Northeastern Ontario legend. There are reasons for it beyond the good days you are having within the Mattawa-Bonfield area. One of the most difficult eras in history to comprehend, are the millions and billions of years that preceded the arrival of humankind on Earth. As you ride the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club trails throughout Northeastern...
‘Voyageur Past and Present’ – French River – Hwy. 69
A Different Northern Ontario by Back Roads Bill As you cross the largest snowmobile bridge in the world on the French River, consider the magnificent view. At one time if history would have become reality you might be looking at ocean going freighters! (Or you may be walking or snowshoeing to the scenic Recollet Falls just west of the interpretative centre.) In the history of humankind, it is difficult to pin point events that changed the course of the history. Generally many series of events lead to momentous circumstances....
‘Alvar’ – Manitoulin Island
Manitoulin Rocks and its Interesting Alvars Helping and Finally Understanding Walkerton by Back Roads Bill A destination can be unusual because it is interesting or different. We can learn much from these anomalies. Manitoulin Island is blessed with incredible natural beauty mainly because of the rocks. Its rocks are oddities. Follow this through. It is the 172nd largest island in the world and is the 31st largest in Canada . Known as the “Spirit Island” itself has 108 freshwater lakes, some of which have their own islands; in turn...
‘The Crack’ – Killarney
Art Detectives – Sleuthing for the Group of Seven by Back Roads Bill The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew are detectives. They are sleuths motivated to solve crimes. We appreciate Sherlock Holmes, the fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, for the astute logical reasoning used to unravel difficult cases. ‘Following in the Footsteps of the Group of Seven’ is not fiction it celebrates the inspiration of others and why we have favourite panoramic views. This coffee table book traces the work of Jim...
‘Dolmen Stones’ – White River and Ignace
A Mystery with Various Answers by Back Roads Bill A common proverb says, “Truth is in the eye of the beholder.” There are many examples of rather significant known truths now known to be wrong. For instance, the earth was once believed to be the center of the universe. There are many mysteries off of the back roads. There are mystery stone configurations around the world like Stonhenge, Britain’s greatest prehistoric monument. Stonehenge remains a mystery as scientists ask: was it a health spa, or a cemetery? Dolmen Mystery...
French River – Hwy. 69 (south of Sudbury; north of Parry Sound)
French River – What you can see and Envision View of Canada’s Natural and Cultural Heritage by Back Roads Bill Whether you have a fear of heights or not this view is worth it, so walk out on to the bridge and have a look. It is what you can’t see below you and can only envision is the value of this vantage point. One of the longest and highest snowmobile bridges in the world affords more than a vista it represents most of our natural and cultural heritage. ...
Stormy Lake – Restoule/Commanda (SW of North Bay-Hwy. 69)
A Lookout Worth Looking For… by Back Roads Bill One of the best views in the North Bay area is the Stormy Lake lookout situated within Restoule Provincial Park. It is a worthwhile jaunt to the lookout at any time of the year but the spring/summer, fall and the winter make for a wonderful contrast of colours. It is one of those places you want to return to experience the transitions. The Park is usually closed early in the fall and winter and there is an easier access to...