After our docking adventure and shift repair, we relaxed, breathed deeply and explored Kagawong for a few days until the dinghy repairs dried thoroughly.
This 1894 harbor lighthouse is now automated and according to townspeople, was recently serviced by the Canadian Coast Guard on a 300 foot ship—a lot of manpower to change the light bulb. The Mariners Chapel is also in the harbor, has a “bow” pulpit made from the bow of a boat shipwrecked in an August 1965 storm during which 4 crew members were lost.
There are great hiking trails on Manitoulin Island. You can take the trail right from town to Bridal Veil Falls Park through a lattice of streams, waterfalls and shady paths. With temperatures in the 90’s, everybody is cooling off here. The island has its own ice cream plant, Farquhar’s, available at convenient dockside and park locations. My favorite flavor is Rolo which is just brimming with that flavorful candy. Serious chocoholics have to visit Manitoulin Chocolate Works for artisan creations. Kayak rentals are available at Wind and Wave, and I am seriously looking at a collapsible or inflatable version that we can use on the boat and RV.
We’ve had a front row seat for all the dock jumping the past few hot days in Kagawong. Generations of Kagawong kids grew up doing this, and we’ve met people from England who grew up here and wasted no time getting in line to dock jump. Although it was a navigational hazard to us, it really is great fun but watch out for boats first.
There is a small general store/post office where you can meet the locals and overhear the gossip. There are a few galleries and craft stores, including a beautiful African boutique. The town has a great location and a good harbor, used to have restaurants and more stores, but while other adjacent communities have expanded their marinas and facilities, Kagawong has lost ground. It is still worth a visit but make sure to call ahead for reservations as there only a few transient slips available.
The highlight of our visit here was meeting Bob, a 2004 gold Looper, who taught us how to repair our Zodiac dinghy. Thanks, Bob. We’re really ready for more anchoring in the islands now.
This 1894 harbor lighthouse is now automated and according to townspeople, was recently serviced by the Canadian Coast Guard on a 300 foot ship—a lot of manpower to change the light bulb. The Mariners Chapel is also in the harbor, has a “bow” pulpit made from the bow of a boat shipwrecked in an August 1965 storm during which 4 crew members were lost.
There are great hiking trails on Manitoulin Island. You can take the trail right from town to Bridal Veil Falls Park through a lattice of streams, waterfalls and shady paths. With temperatures in the 90’s, everybody is cooling off here. The island has its own ice cream plant, Farquhar’s, available at convenient dockside and park locations. My favorite flavor is Rolo which is just brimming with that flavorful candy. Serious chocoholics have to visit Manitoulin Chocolate Works for artisan creations. Kayak rentals are available at Wind and Wave, and I am seriously looking at a collapsible or inflatable version that we can use on the boat and RV.
We’ve had a front row seat for all the dock jumping the past few hot days in Kagawong. Generations of Kagawong kids grew up doing this, and we’ve met people from England who grew up here and wasted no time getting in line to dock jump. Although it was a navigational hazard to us, it really is great fun but watch out for boats first.
There is a small general store/post office where you can meet the locals and overhear the gossip. There are a few galleries and craft stores, including a beautiful African boutique. The town has a great location and a good harbor, used to have restaurants and more stores, but while other adjacent communities have expanded their marinas and facilities, Kagawong has lost ground. It is still worth a visit but make sure to call ahead for reservations as there only a few transient slips available.
The highlight of our visit here was meeting Bob, a 2004 gold Looper, who taught us how to repair our Zodiac dinghy. Thanks, Bob. We’re really ready for more anchoring in the islands now.
