October 3, 2024 - Killarney, Ontario - Thursday

October 3, 2024 - Thursday 

Killarney, Ontario 

We awoke to pretty choppy conditions. It is cool and windy. Our first event of the day is around 11:00 am. We signed up for an included excursion of a traditional fish fry. The shoreline is stunning with pink granite boulders and outcroppings lining the shores. Killarney Mountain Lodge is one of the gateways of the Killarney Provincial Park – a popular recreational area. 

Entrance of the Killarney Channel. To the right the mainland.
To the left is George Island.

Lighthouse at the mouth of the Channel

Much of what we have been seeing (particularly in Canada) of mountains are parts of the “Canadian Shield”. The Canadian Shield is from the pre-Cambrian period. Pre-Cambrian is from the earliest times of the earth’s creation. In other words, this is really really old rock. The glaciers scraped it pretty bare and honed down the rock to mostly smooth shapes. The Canadian Shield goes all the way to the Arctic and over into Greenland and even down into the northern reaches of the US.

Due to the weather conditions, all of the morning zodiac, kayak, and Special Ops boat excursions were cancelled. This did not impact us. By afternoon, the wind had died down enough that they were able to get the “toys” out so the guests could play. 

We took the tender the short distance to the dock, then followed directions walking to “Canada House”. The Fish Fry was set up as a buffet, and as we are all good cruisers, everyone lined up to load their plates. They offered a few different salads, hand cut French fries that were nicely seasoned and pieces of lightly fried local white fish. They also had out several options as a dessert. The food was fine, the setting of the lodge was stunning, and it was a beautiful day. 

The inside of Canada House where we had our Fish Fry. The logs are 
massive. The size of the fireplace dwarfs the bear skin.

Looking back towards where our ship is.

Geese enjoying a snack. Seems like they should have already flown south.

Canada House from the outside.

Some of that pink granite

Some nice fall color

After lunch we headed back to the ship. I’m still trying to get caught up with the blog and am getting closer, so I wanted to spend some time on that. 

We also spent a little time with one of the Expedition Team working out some details of an overland excursion we have decided to do. We are very excited about it. WE ARE GOING TO MACHU PICCHU! It will be early November, leaving from Manta, Ecuador and rejoining the ship in Lima, Peru. The excursion is 4 days including 2 days of travel. More details closer to the time.