SUMMER '06: Day 2-Part 2: On the Island!

We arrived at South Baymouth, the southern-most town of Manitoulin Island, and were able to drive off the Chi-Cheemaun ferry just shortly after 9am.
The lower-levelled vehicles exited first, and then our ramp lowered so that we could exit the boat as well. The vehicles were all lined up in South Baymouth awaiting to go to the mainland at Tobermory. We drove by waving goodbye to Southern Ontario.


We headed north across the island, along Highway 6, with a planned stop at the Town of Sandfield, and then to our campsite at Providence Bay, on the island's south shore. Although our destination was Providence Bay, we had in fact reached our Day 2 Destination..Manitoulin Island. We only had one day to explore the island, and we had decided that after setting up tent, we would drive over to Kagawong Bridal Veil Falls for the afternoon. We were still a little tired from the lack of sleep on the Tobermory docks, and although we both knew that there were some amazing trails that I myself had explored in previous trips..we decided to take a relaxing afteroon.
Our first stop for Day 2 was Sandfield,
which is a small community located right at the source of the Manitou River, at Lake Manitou.
We were treated to a beautiful northern-lake type setting,
with a dam,

and a pretty little park setting.
As this was my third time to the island, this was my third time stopping at this picturesque little place. Well worth the stop along Highway 518 on Manitoulin!

And so, after enjoying a good half hour rest stop at the calming park at Sandfield, we continued on to our first camping destination of the whole trip: Providence Bay Tent & Trailer Park.

Yes, this place sounds like it would not be our kind of place. Lots of families with lots of kids running around, not your usual quiet place to go and relax at. However..as again, this was my third time to the island, I have not been disappointed once in the last three times staying at Providence Bay. The host Irene Cornish was there to welcome us to our first night of our trip to Northern Ontario.

Across the road from the park, is Providence Bay, with it's beautiful bordering white sandy beach, as well as a boardwalk that follows nearly the whole length of the beach.

So we set up tent in our first campground! The anticipation to drive to Lake Superior was upon us. Our plan was to leave early the next morning for our 6-7 hour drive to Agawa Bay Campground in Lake Superior Provincial Park. One day at a time though, this was our day for Manitoulin!

Up Next..Part 3: Kagawong, Swimming in the waterfall, Hawberry House, Sunset at Providence,