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Autumn in Parry
Sound
Photo Courtesy
Bear Claw Tours
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Parry Sound,
Ontario is
a nature wonderland. Located in the province's northeast, Parry Sound sits on
the coast overlooking the Georgian Bay, near the Muskoka
region. The myriad of colours in the area are striking - the pink granite of
the Canadian Shield, the blue of the lakes, bays and rivers, the canopy of green
trees in the forest area, the taupe sand. The brilliant shades in fall, from
the numerous birches, maples and oaks, have inspired artists and left others
awestruck.
The allure of this gateway to the 30,000 Islands area (the large concentration
of islands in the Georgian Bay) is manifold. A vibrant waterfront, access to
several provincial parks and nature reserves, and a splattering of cultural
venues and eateries offer just the right amount of activity while still maintaining
a laid back atmosphere.
Canoeing
at sunrise? Breezing through a cloud comprised of white sails? Howling with
the dogs on a sled
run? If these seem appealing, come to Parry Sound and discover why many
call it just short of paradise.
HISTORY, ECONOMY AND ACCOMMODATIONS
The Parry Sound vicinity was already considered a holiday destination centuries
ago when the Huron First Nations travelled there each summer for fishing and
hunting. The Huron tribe was visited by several European explorers during that
time who were intent on opening up a lucrative fur trade in the area. The Iroquois
tribe, who despised the French and recognized the Huron tribe as French allies,
attacked the Hurons with fervour. Between 1660 and 1760 the warfare was calamitous.
After much bloodshed, the Hurons exited the area. Later, the Ojibway First Nations
settled near the Sequin River, and established a village named "Wasauksing"
or shining shore.
In the early 19th Century, British Naval captain Henry Bayfield explored the
30,000 Islands area and named the sound in honour of the Arctic explorer Sir
William Edward Parry. Steam ships brought settlers into the vicinity, many
for such employment possibilities as road construction and lumbering. Others
came to homestead, as the government allotted parcels of land to those over
18 who were prepared to clear and cultivate it. Thus development began. In 1865
William Beatty and his sons purchased a sawmill. They later built a church,
introduced a steamship line and founded the Town of Parry Sound.
Parry Sound's economy is a story of boom and bust. The town was quickly recognized
as an important shipping area due to easy access to prominent lakes. The railway
constructed many crucial lines in the area. And the pine trees spread endlessly,
delighting loggers.
Then, the railway closed the lines and the pine trees were logged out, abruptly
ending the prosperous shipping and lumbering industries.
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A Pioneer Cottage
in the Backcountry of Parry Sound
Photo CourtesyBear Claw Tours
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After some hard times, world events brought change to Parry Sound. Both World
Wars prompted an influx of people to
the area, as workers from the nearby explosive
plants in Nobel
chose Parry Sound as a residence. Tourism sparked. As early as the 1920s, vacationers
arrived by sail and stagecoach to enjoy the wonders of the area.
Today Parry Sound continues to enthral, as the population balloons from 6,500
during the winter to nearly 75,000 at the peak of summer. Numerous resorts,
cottages, and marinas
house the seasonal residents. As Parry Sound is still a town in every sense
of the word, the planning of accommodations,
dining and attractions
should be done prior to visiting in order to avoid disappointment.
CLIMATE
Warm sunny weather is often the case in June, July and August, with temperatures
averaging between 21°C and 27 °C (70°F and 80 °F). As a Northern Ontario community,
Parry Sound can have 'refreshing' temperatures in January and February that
range from -3°C to -15°C (5°F to -27 °F).
Fall and spring are often breezy and cool, with occasional warm days. Medium
to heavy weight clothing is advised.
TRANSPORTATION
Those who float into town will find abundant full service marinas,
docks, piers and slips. Those who want to float have several
choices for cruises
or boat
rentals.
Flyers may land at the Parry
Sound Area Municipal Airport, located 22 km (13.5 mi) south of the town.
Fly-in airplane services are available, and a few businesses offer charters
from Toronto
and other local areas.
Window seat commuters may enjoy the VIA Rail
train service, or bus
service by Ontario
Northland or GreyHound
Coach.
For drivers, the Trans Canada Highway runs right through the town. Travelling
southbound on the highway will eventually connect to Highway 400 for a three-hour
drive to Toronto. Those coming in recreational vehicles may be accommodated
in one of many local campgrounds.
When in Parry Sound, parking is accessible. The small town does not have a
transit service, but taxis
operate. Rentals
for cars
and bicycles
are available, but the options are not abundant, so plan ahead.
ATTRACTIONS AND EVENTS
Popular with water addicts and a paradise for hikers, skiers, and cyclists,
Parry Sound is a nature phenomenon. With its countless trails, bodies of water,
and diverse backcountry, boredom will never be a factor.
Land
For hikers and mountain bikers, the Sequin Recreational Trail is a must-try.
The trail is over 60 km (37.5 mi) long, and covers terrain composed of hardwood
forest areas, granite rock and sandy patches. The Park-to-Park
Trail that will connect Algonquin
Park and Killbear
Park, slated to open in 2005, will have the added advantage of being
accessible to ATVs,
horseback riders, dog
sledders and skiers.
Water
Paddlers of both canoes
and kayaks
have endless choices. Rentals
can be arranged, or personal equipment can be brought. Dive
charters are also a possibility. Another popular water activity is wakeboarding,
which requires a degree of athletic aptitude, as it is more challenging than
water skiing and tubing.
Sport fishers can cast their reels and enjoy a plentiful bounty of muskie,
bass, rainbow trout, salmon and perch. For those without boats, expert guides
or rental shops at the many marinas can be of assistance. Ice hut rentals are
available for those braving the invigorating air to fish in winter. Ice
fishing season begins in January. All huts must be off the lakes by
March 31 when the ice is already getting slushy. Fishing licenses are available
at several locations such as tour companies, outdoor outfitters and convenience
stores.
The surrounding lakes and rivers of Parry Sound easily number into the hundreds,
so the decision of where to go is not an easy one. The Sound itself is popular,
as is the Georgian Bay. The surrounding parks have a multitude of lakes and
rivers within their boundaries.
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All Terrain Vehicles offer Four
Seasons of Activity
Photo Courtesy Bear Claw
Tours
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Snow
Winter is becoming a much more celebrated time in the area. Although several
businesses are not open in the off-season (which is normally from late September
to May), the blankets of snow offer enticing adventure. Snow conditions are
often good from mid December until mid March. Throughout the area there are
approximately 2,000 kms (1243 miles) of groomed trails. Nordic skiing on
rolling hills in the Georgian
Nordic Ski Club engages many, as both skating and classical styles can
be accommodated. Dog
sledding, ice
fishing, snowmobiling, ATVing
and snowshoeing are also alternatives.
Sightseeing
To visit Parry Sound and not gaze at the beautiful 30,000 Island area would
be an abomination. Various cruise
boats voyage through the waters, many at sunset, and travel through
the intricate puzzle pieces of land in the Georgian Bay area. A sunset cruise
on the M.V.
Chippewa is popular. For an expansive view of the area, try a sightseeing
airplane
tour.
Culture
Parry Sound is not without its refinement. Umpteen galleries
and antique
shops dot the small town. As well, the world famous, three week long
Festival of the Sound is a summer highlight. Fine classical musicians host concerts
throughout the day and evening. Family concerts are also performed. Besides
the more than 50 musical events, the town holds an extravaganza of fireworks
along with an illuminated boat parade in the inner harbour.
West
Parry Sound District Museum provides an overview of the area, focusing
on such themes as trapping, shipping, First Nations, logging, and cottage life.
While there, take a look from the Observation
Tower. It is a gruelling 131 steps up, but taking in the view of the
town and the Georgian Bay from this fire lookout point is worth the perspiration.
Excursions
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A Pristine Lakes in the Parry
Sound Area
Photo Courtesy Bear Claw
Tours
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Just off Parry Sound is Parry Island that can be reached by a bridge. The Island
is a site to see for its pristine beauty juxtaposed with rotting wood and crumbling
foundations. Visitors will find one of the largest towns in Ontario to become
a ghost town.
Begun in the 1890s by Canadian lumber tycoon John Booth, Depot
Harbour was to be a town whose railroad would mark the shortest commercial
route to the Atlantic. The shipping port and CNR rail line promised to bring
prosperous times to the residents. But after the Depression, the line was shut
down, and logging was exhausted. Many warehouses stood empty until WW II, when
the nearby dynamite plant in Nobel
used them to store cordite, a highly explosive substance. As a grand finale
to the town's demise, flaming debris from a fireworks and bonfire celebration
became airborne and set the warehouses off with a boom. Depot Harbour has returned
to the ownership of the Ojibwa First Nations, so arrangements must be made at
the Band office to view the area.
