If you are used to eco-resorts that are the ultimate in luxury, then this is not the place for you. Gordon’s Park on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada is an eco-resort that is for people who like to rough it. Six of my family members stayed here in June and we experienced two aspects of accommodation. Three of us stayed in the two-bedroom bed and breakfast and three of us stayed in a tipi. The B&B is basic with two bedrooms, a bathroom, and an open plan living room/kitchen that is in the basement of the owner’s home. The breakfast is provided in the fridge/kitchen cupboard and consists of oatmeal packets, English muffins, juice boxes, fruit cups, tea and coffee. Those staying in the tipi can rent mattresses and sleeping bags if you don’t have your own. The bathroom facilities for campers consist of outhouses (holes in the ground) and an eco-shower (a black rubber or plastic bag full of water, though apparently not enough to add conditioner after shampooing). Each camp site has a picnic table and a prep table beside it as well as a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs.
The resort also has an outdoor swimming pool, a mini golf course under the trees, and some nature walks to explore on the property. While we were waiting to check in we had a look around the nature interpretive centre which contains stuffed animals and other artifacts found on the island. The centre hosts school and other groups and offers bird watching, archery, stargazing, self-guided bird watching and a whole calendar of events throughout spring and summer. We were given a map of the island outlining the owner’s suggestions of the places to go to experience Manitoulin at its best and a map of the four walking trails on the property.
After supper we all enjoyed getting together in the Adirondack chairs around the fire pit outside the tipi to roast marshmallows and dip them in Bailey’s liqueur and to make S’mores – graham wafer crackers sandwiching a piece of chocolate and a hot, roasted marshmallow to melt the chocolate. A great way to spend the evening in the outdoors!
Before we left the next morning we went on the Mother Nature Trail and the Escarpment Side Trail to see some 500 million year old rock of the Niagara Escarpment. We also played a few holes of mini golf before heading to South Baymouth to catch the ferry over to the Collingwood area of Ontario, the next destination on our trip.
Manitoulin Island can be reached by land bridge from the north and by the ChiCheemaun Ferry Service from the south.
Gordon’s Park 18777 Hwy 6, just 13 minutes from South Baymouth Ferry Tehkummah, Manitoulin Island Ontario, Canada 1 705 859 2470 www.ontarioferries.com
www.gordonspark.com
