A Magical Oasis

 














A Barrie Sanctuary

Here in Barrie we are unfortunate enough to be able to enjoy a peaceful sanctuary that offers anyone who enters, gifts of tranquility, relaxation,

and rejuvenation.

If you venture into this peaceful haven in May after a long snow-filled and bitterly cold winter you can hike, bike, power walk, saunter along a myriad of

 very wide and well -maintained nature paths meandering through 43 acres of protected woodland.

If it happens to be a blistering hot, sunny dayy, you will be protected by the cooling canopy of mighty oaks, towering maples, and lofty birches.

When you venture into this magical retreat in May, your eyes will feast upon a forest floor blanketed with a brightly coloured palette of spring

 wildflowers like the yellow anemone which is a garden escapee.

Our Provincial Floral Emblem since 1937, the elegant and unique flower with three petals, 3 sepals, and 3 leaves is a welcome sight with its delicate white

 and red blossoms

During the course of the summer, you will enjoy escapees from the garden such as as sky blue-striped squill and glory of the snow, as well as, natives such

 as trout lilies and sharp-lobed hepatica and naturalized flowers, such as, lily of the valley and Philadelphia fleabane.

If you gaze upwards and spy a rectangular cavity in a large decaying maple tree, you will know that a pileated woodpecker had made this oasis in the cityhis home.

And, as you continue to look upwards and hear a sharp chip you might be lucky enough to spy a yellow-rumped warbler looking for berries and insects.

After about 20 minutes when you follow the main path at a leisurely pace, you will be greeted with a picturesque view of Kempenfelt Bay.

If it happens to be a sunny day, sparkles of diamonds will be dancing across the usually calm waters and in the distance there are usually sailboats with a rainbow of different coloured sails drifting gracefully across the bay.

If your desire is to absorb the beauty of the bay, luckily there is a bench where you can rest, relax, and rejuvenate.

And, while you are savouring the moment and creating memories, one of them might be catching a glimpse of a bufflehead duck constantly boobing

 underwater and resurfacing as it looks for an aquatic treat.

The magical oasis is none other than the Gables at 250 Tollendale Road.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why We Should Curb Our Use of Bottled Water

  Why We Should Curb Our Use of Bottled Water Globally 154 billion litres of bottled water was consumed in 2004.  This was up 57% from five years earlier.  In 2006, an astounding 30% of people in Ontario who had access to regularly inspected municipal water supply primarily drank bottled water.  Many people believe that bottled water is purer and safer than tap water. Before buying your next bottle of water please consider the following facts: Some bottled water actually comes from municipal water supplies, so you are paying twice for the same water. The City of Toronto inspects its water every four hours. Bottling plants are inspected only once every 3-6 years! Some studies have found concentrations of arsenic and mercury in bottled water. Bacteria in bottled water can multiply very quickly when stored over long periods or exposed to intense heat. Our oil supplies are peaking and gas prices are sky rocketing, making plastic bottles
Read more

DON'T TREAT MOTHER EARTH LIKE A GIGANTIC GARBAGE BIN

 DON'T  TREAT MOTHER EARTH LIKE A GIGANTIC GARBAGE BIN On Sunday, October 15, the Barrie Garden Club ventured out on a dark, dreary, and drizzly day to pick up litter, along Highway 26 close to Wilson Avenue. As I was picking up all kinds of litter such as license plates, chairs, discarded clothing, plastic bags, lots  of cigarette butts, and a myriad of discarded coffee containers, I began to reflect on all the problems triggered by litter. Here in Canada, we are very lucky to have an organized system where most municipalities and cities  make sure that there are regular pick-ups for your garbage, compost, and recyclables. So it boggles my mind why so many Canadians do not use the readily provided containers, but instead  treat Mother Earth like a gigantic garbage bin. I simply cannot understand when someone buys a cup of coffee, they then go for a long hike, they  manage to carry the cup full of coffee, but the minute it’s empty, they simply cannot manage to carry  it back home a
Read more