Orillia

• Eastward from Owen Sound near Meaford, the passing scene was of apple and almond orchards. Beyond, in Collingwood, we reached the southernmost shores of Georgian Bay. Despite overcast skies, we paused for a beachwalk and were soon admiring this handsome composition:
  

  

  Almost directly across the street was a second striking scene, although this one man-made:
  

  

  
  Orillia was our chosen overnight stay because of its splendid, paved waterfront bike path. The town lies at the junction of two lakes, Couchiching and much larger Simcoe. The bike path runs from the narrow channel between these lakes northward along Lake Couchiching. The path is only six miles long but we deemed a round trip a workout and it provided plenty of scenic variety as well:
  

  

  

  

  

  

  The last photo above was taken where the path ends at the “narrows” between the two lakes. This spot, known as “where trees stand in the water,” an interpretation of the word “Toronto,” was an important fishing point for the native people who once lived nearby.