While we still can't roam as freely as we once did, we can certainly enjoy a tale of wanderings past.
SooToday reader Sharalyn Stubbs shares just such a story below:
There have been many adventures while wandering out along our Lake Superior shores. I always say “All who wander are not lost."
Rocks, what can I say?
I am a rock fanatic. There is not an outing that I do not have a pocket full of rocks. I do wish I had more pockets.
On our outings around Lake Superior I have been blessed with the most spectacular sights. Lake Superior has shaped the craggy Pre-Cambrian shield; the twisted, gnarly windswept old-growth trees; smoothed out driftwood; spat up beachglass treasures; and many luminous, textured, patterned, uniquely shaped, intensely coloured, ROCKS. From the tiniest grain, the large erratic boulders to the craggy cliffs. Every one is unique and worthy.
There is not one set of criteria for finding that one special find. It could be that it sparkled (winked at me), it might be that it was a fun shape (hearts pop out a me). Crinkly textures and wild patterns, usually Pareidolia (I see faces in the rocks smiling, growling, saying boo at me).
I would start off a trip saying, “Today I will just collect Agate or Jasper”, then my bag and pockets are full of, yellow, spotted, striped, green and red, hearts and white shaped eggs.
Every find is worthy.
Driving our way up north, we could end up anywhere from Batchawana (great driftwood), Pancake Bay (great camping trips), Sawpit Bay (beachglass, rocks, driftwood, everything), heading up to Montreal River outlook (flat rocks here), winding up to Katherine Cove and Old Woman Bay. There are a few favorite spots but you can stop nearly anywhere along the highway and head out along a trail or forge through the bush.
Most often it is, “ets stop here and see”, which involves forging a trail through the bush, climbing down a ravine or a crevasse (That takes a while when stopping every foot to take a photo of mushrooms, lichen, fungi, moss). But nothing tops the satisfaction when you arrive at the shore with everything a visually stunning sight, not knowing what to point your lens at.
So in the photo gallery above I would like to share some of my favorites, THE one, THE treasure, THE piece-de-resistance, MY precious with you.
Enjoy!
Of course, I should mention that no trip is done without a coffee in my hand.
And a shoreline tea and picnic with our nature friends — the singing birds, the chattering squirrels, the soaring eagle, the crashing surf, the babbling brook, the lapping waves along the shore.
PS: Please leave nature as it is, take your garbage with you, leave only footprints.