Who would have guessed that Southern Ontario would experience a winter like this! Windy, stormy weather did not keep Toronto Club hikers away from the trails in Tobermory and on the Bruce Trail on Family Day Weekend!
This year for the most part we stayed in the woods where the minus temperatures and high wind to light gale conditions would not bother us too much. We decided to break up the snowshoe outings to morning and afternoon and went back to the Princess Hotel, owned by Dimitrios and Vasiliki a Greek family where we stay and have our meals for the weekend. Having a break at lunchtime in their restaurant “Pharos” we enjoyed a nice bowl of hot soup, coffee and tea along with our sandwiches.
The drive to Tobermory was uneventful and knowing the weather would change on Sunday, to a windy and more snow accumulation, poor driving conditions we made our best choices on the trails to stay in the area and not venture out to some of our choice spots which we would frequent over the years. Snow? We had lots of it, each day we went out the trails were covered again from any tracks from the day before and in some areas a few cool high drifts to venture into. It was perfect!
Feb 18th 2008 in Ontario was the first Provincial Family Day Weekend which would include the third Monday in February. Another initiative by my late husband Greg Vincent and we began this outing a few years before 2008 and once the Family Holiday weekend was established Greg quickly reached out to the Princess Hotel where we stay and have our meals, they reserve rooms and provide us with a package for the weekend. Bringing people together in one location gives a group experience of togetherness and comradeship.
We all have the opportunity to connect and share our experiences with each other, one on one, or group conversations on the hikes and at the table. My late husband Gregory Vincent, it’s his Legacy I contribute these weekends to, his joie de vivre of bringing people together, educating and inviting others, sharing his Love of Nature and the Outdoors. A big thank you to David Royle and Brenda Menzees for the “push” I needed and they have joined me in continuing these outings. Many friendships have developed, grown and continue to flourish through these outings!
On our return home Monday, the sun was brightly shining and most of the hikers planned to leave after breakfast and we soon realized as we were on the road the white outs before Wiarton had already begun and continued in Grey Bruce County. Each of our journeys was eventful and I am very grateful and blessed we all returned home safely. Because of a car issue in the morning and then the weather change David and Brenda stayed an extra two nights at the Princess Hotel.
From David and Brenda…
A huge thanks to John and Joanne for kindly calling us (as we just departed the Princess Hotel) to alert us about the 7 car pile up in Wiarton and the driving conditions. We drove back and enjoyed 2 more nights at the Princess, going out snowshoeing on Tuesday morning and afternoon! And dining under candlelight, one of only 2 couples who were left stranded, as the wind howled outside and romantic music played. Were they making a movie? Waking up to zero visibility felt so different. Was that King Arthur with a sword in his hand directing traffic?
Many thanks to Jeanette for making it all happen, Andy for his incredible stories, tasteful jokes and Larry for showing what it looks like to be eleven, with energy plus brains and good looks. Thanks to all for the joy of friends sharing the experiences that mark the great Canadian winter, On our Bruce peninsula Snow Report we give it A+. Anna and the staff were very kind and gracious. The Princess went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and we are so very impressed. This trip will go down in history as the one that had everything. Brenda and I felt like Royalty. I mean Roylety.
David, Brenda and I invite you to checkout our upcoming weekend events on the BTC -Toronto Club calendar: https://hikes.brucetrail.org
Friday, May 16 – 19, 2025 Victoria Day Weekend in the Lower Bruce Peninsula (3 nights),
Friday, June 6 – 8, 2025 22nd Annual Excellent Orchid Adventure Weekend (2 nights) and
Friday, October 3 – 5, 2025 Tobermory Fall Hiking Weekend (2 nights)
- Courtesy, Jeanette Vincent