July 12 – 14

Kagawong gets its name from an Ojibwa word that means “where mists rise from the falling waters,” a reference to its Bridal Veil Falls. Kagawong is one of those North Channel towns described in our previous blog – once a bustling commercial center that now relies on tourism. In the early 1900’s, Kagawong was an important timber, fishing and transportation center.

A museum is housed in an old paper mill building. Years ago the mill supplied the paper used to print Sears & Roebuck catalogs.  

Our marina overlooks a sandy beach, where kids swim to the raft floating in the middle and push each other off.

The beach reminds me of Miller Lakes where my brothers and I took swimming lessons from the local Red Cross. There was a swim raft there, too. I remember trying to swim to that swim raft. It seemed too far away for the challenge.

One evening Captain Pat and I watch as the kids hoot and holler, pushing each other off into the water. There are so many on the float it almost sinks.

Kagawong had two features we fell in love with – the marina ice cream and the the Bridal Veil Falls.

Kawartha Ice Cream

The marina serves ice cream from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is not your run of the mill marina ice cream – packaged Dove bars you pull from a refrigerated glass case. This is Kawartha ice cream, in gallon bins, twelve different flavors. This is minutes from our boat. Dangerous. Captain Patrick’s favorite is Pralines and Cream. The Admiral’s, Maple Walnut. Everyone knows Patrick’s U.S. favorite is black raspberry. Canadian black raspberry is vanilla ice cream with ribbons of raspberry jam through it. Not the same!

When we depart we buy some for the boat freezer. We ration it out like the almond creamer for my morning coffee.

Bridal Veil Falls

There are two paths to the Bridal Veil Falls. The shorter one follows the highway to the entrance where cars pull up and visitors descend stairs to the falls. The longer one is a walking trail through the forest along the river. I opt for the longer one. I walk solo and am surprised I do not see anyone. It is so peaceful though, with the sound of the stream and the canopy of tree branches overhead.

I was told it was a 15-minute walk. I get concerned when I do not see any signs. I am always afraid of getting lost. Finally, I see some people and the falls just ahead. What a surprise!

The next day Captain Patrick joins me for a walk to the falls. I soon realize just what a hurry I was in yesterday – hell bent to reach those falls. Patrick points out all these features I missed yesterday! Stone turtle, rock sculptures, bronze deer, cairns in the river stream, and little houses at the base of trees. I appreciate his keen eye and his advice to slow down and take it “one day at a time!”

Sometimes you cannot see the forest for the trees. Here are more photos from the Bridal Veil Falls.

Photos from our stay at Kagawong: