Well we can go no further south on Canada’s mainland. We could, of course, take (are you ready for this) another ferry to Pelee Island. But we still wouldn’t be as far south as you can go. Middle Island is part of Pelee National Park and is just a couple of hundred yards from the border with Michigan. Only Parks Canada staff can go there however as there are a lot of endangered and protected plants and animals, that’s as far South in Canada as you can go.
As we drive through the park, ever closer to the tip, we both feel that we are not really in Canada. The heat, humidity and lushness of the vegetation has us both feeling like we are in the Caribbean.
On the path to the tip there are interpretation panels that talk about the liferaft station that used to exist here. Lynn was most taken with the tall, flat figure of one of the liferaft rowers.
We decide there are too many school kids at the boardwalk out into the marsh, and on the spot, decide to stay another day and return. We plan to rent a canoe and see if we can get ourselves lost in the tall bullrushes.
On our way to the Park, we finally find a place to download and update the site. There is a very friendly and helpful woman named Sandra Hughes who works for the Leamington and District Half-Century Centre. It is affiliated with the federal government’s CAP programme. This programme is responsible for providing training on computer use and free access to the internet. She graciously hooks us up on her internet line and presto… we are in business. She also takes us on a tour of the seniors centre and we meet some very wonderful people doing all types of activities. A most pleasant and productive two hours!
We are also quite surprised by the size of Leamington. We expected a town with a population of about 3,500, maybe even 5,000. Holy cow … 27,000 people live here. Heinz (you know The Ketchup people) have a plant here and it must cover six city blocks … it’s just huge. Leamington is also famous for its tomatoes and other vegetables. We are, of course, taking full advantage and have been buying fresh fruit and produce at numerous road side stands.
We are back at our trailer by 3:00 pm with huge storm clouds brewing in the distance.
By 4:15 they are directly overhead and there is a spattering of rain and ominous rumblings. The Park Warden comes around to inform us that there is ‘some weather’ brewing. Thanks but we can already see that. Maybe, if these storms don’t get too bad, the temperature will return to a more comfortable level.
Nice pic of you at the southern tip of Canada. Ha, ha Lawrie. I finally have one up on my big brother. I have been there, and my picture taken first, before you. I was in Wheatley and Leamington back in 1985. I had my picture taken there too. Will have to show you upon your return thru Saskatoon in October.
The air in Leamington smells like tomatoe sauce later in the fall, once tomatoe fields have been picked and they start to produce product from them. It is really hot and humid but a fantastic area of the country. People are so friendly, helpful and laid back. Just your type of area!! Keep up the great pictures. I look forward to your updates weekly.