Sunday 18 May 2025--Manitoulin is about 80 miles long, from east to west, and is about 30 miles at its north-south widest, toward the eastern end. Today is my day to see what I can of it. I start by visiting the beach at Providence Bay, facing south on Lake Huron; then an hour and some west, toward the end of the island. I'm hoping to see the Mississagi Strait Lighthouse, looking over to Cockburn Island. The road ends at the gate to the Lafarge company's sprawling quarry, which I gather has obliterated the original route to the lighthouse. It takes me a while to figure out that I need the road that circles around south of the quarry, but when I finally locate it, I find that it's gated off, too.

I backtrack on route 540 and take a look at the village of Meldrum Bay, which is not very interesting. Gore Bay, almost another hour east, looks more inviting, with a two-block commercial downtown. (This photo was taken from a lookout on the bluff across the bay.) I have dinner at the Watersedge Pub & Restaurant. The food is pretty good, but the venue itself is not very attractive. Beer from the local Split Rail Brewing Company is drinkable.

Back in Little Current, I have a pint at the Manitoulin Brewing Company, and retire early.