SUMMER '06: Day 5: Escape to the POW Camp!
Well with the rate I am going at with getting these photos out from my summer vacation from back in AUGUST..yes two months ago...it will take a year to complete the 15-day adventure I had in Northern Ontario.
Tons of photos, tons of adventures..too much to write about..not enough time really. I've also been plagued with complacency and a bit of a writer's cramp to tell the truth..however life is full of these little time-stops, or growing pains so to speak.
Embraced..done..for now ;) Moving on..
...Remember if you were reading last that we needed to escape the "inhospitable" weather along the shores of Lake Superior Provincial Park at 4am due to the high winds coming off of the lake for a whole two days?
Our next park on the agenda was Neys Provinical Park
... and boy did we arrive early. So early that we had to wait for the people to leave "our site" before we checked in. So we decided to go for a walk along the beach. Funny thing was about this long white sandy beach was that there seemed to be more driftwood than sand. Driftwood piles from visitors were propped up along the beach. Driftwood formations placed together by beach-goers were the sight to see on this northern Lake Superior beach. Driftwood that has been lying there for years, as well as fresh specimens rolling in from the lake. It was a remarkable sight.
Knowing that we had another couple of hours to kill, and after a driftwood hike along the beach, we decided to check in at the visitor's centre and take a tour of the "ruins". Neys Provincial Park is located at the site of the old "Camp W", a German prisoner-of-war camp from World War II era. (Below, a photo of drawing by an inmate at Camp W, on display in the Visitors Centre)
I shall like to return to Neys and spend a few more days in the park. Due to timing, we weren't able to take in the park's nature trails or spend more time with the other sights in the park.
Our next day would take us to Thunder Bay, via a few other really cool stops on the way..big day for Day 6!
Up Next..The old Ghost Town, some waterfalls, and into Tbay!
Tons of photos, tons of adventures..too much to write about..not enough time really. I've also been plagued with complacency and a bit of a writer's cramp to tell the truth..however life is full of these little time-stops, or growing pains so to speak.
Embraced..done..for now ;) Moving on..
...Remember if you were reading last that we needed to escape the "inhospitable" weather along the shores of Lake Superior Provincial Park at 4am due to the high winds coming off of the lake for a whole two days?
Our next park on the agenda was Neys Provinical Park
... and boy did we arrive early. So early that we had to wait for the people to leave "our site" before we checked in. So we decided to go for a walk along the beach. Funny thing was about this long white sandy beach was that there seemed to be more driftwood than sand. Driftwood piles from visitors were propped up along the beach. Driftwood formations placed together by beach-goers were the sight to see on this northern Lake Superior beach. Driftwood that has been lying there for years, as well as fresh specimens rolling in from the lake. It was a remarkable sight.
Knowing that we had another couple of hours to kill, and after a driftwood hike along the beach, we decided to check in at the visitor's centre and take a tour of the "ruins". Neys Provincial Park is located at the site of the old "Camp W", a German prisoner-of-war camp from World War II era. (Below, a photo of drawing by an inmate at Camp W, on display in the Visitors Centre)
The ruins weren't much, however the tour guides were quite friendly and accomodating with their knowledge of where the old camp was. The POW camp was basically adjacent to the beach, and what was left of the old buildings were only but a few old rusty pipes and cement barriers partially buried in the sand between the sparse tamaracks next to the visitors centre.
Thanks to Dean for the tour! 
After the hour-long tour, we were finally able to set up camp. Afterwards, we enjoyed a cool but refreshing swim in Lake Superior, people-watched along the beach, and retired back to the campsite for dinner. We then took in a lovely sunset amongst the driftwood.
After the hour-long tour, we were finally able to set up camp. Afterwards, we enjoyed a cool but refreshing swim in Lake Superior, people-watched along the beach, and retired back to the campsite for dinner. We then took in a lovely sunset amongst the driftwood.
I shall like to return to Neys and spend a few more days in the park. Due to timing, we weren't able to take in the park's nature trails or spend more time with the other sights in the park.
Our next day would take us to Thunder Bay, via a few other really cool stops on the way..big day for Day 6!
Up Next..The old Ghost Town, some waterfalls, and into Tbay!
posted by Tom at 10:36 PM
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