By Dave Kraus
Saturday May 6 & Sunday May 7, 2023.
Leave at 10:00 am Saturday from Leamington Dock aboard the M.V. Pelee Islander II (be at the dock by 9:10 am).
We will return to Leamington Dock by 5:45 pm Sunday
We will likely see: migrating waterfowl & warblers, wildflowers such as trilliums & waterleaf, basking turtles and snakes, bullfrogs, historic sites, and hear a chorus or two of American Toads, to suggest a few of the many enjoyable experiences on Pelee Island in spring. We should also get a chance to visit the Pelee Island Bird Observatory (PIBO bird banding station) and some of the Nature Conservancy of Canada properties: Red Cedar Savannah ESA, Stone Road Alvar ANSI, Brown’s Point and Woods, and Brown’s Road Alvar. We will have plenty of time to walk, observe, and relax on the excursions to some of Pelee’s most beautiful natural habitats, including: Fish Point Provincial Nature Reserve, Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve, the Stone Road Alvar Complex, Sheridan Point ESA, and many other stops along the way (including natural habitat restoration work completed on my property).
Should we experience inclement weather, we can visit the Pelee Island Heritage Centre, tour the island in the comfort of our rented bus and/or lounge at The Dog and Goat Inn/Main Station Guesthouse.
I have arranged for bus transportation while on the island – no other vehicles are necessary on the trip. There is parking at the Leamington Dock area. I have reserved space on the ferry for all registered, walk on passengers attending this trip – we will board the bus in the parking lot at the dock in Leamington on Saturday morning by 9:15am.
Accommodations have been reserved at The Main Station Guesthouse. The motel style rooms are rustic, but comfortable and are situated on spacious grounds. Reservations are generally set for two persons per room. However, people do not need to register in pairs or groups – everyone is welcome and will be accommodated based on their wishes and room availability.
The Dog and Goat Inn contains a clean and comfortable restaurant where I have arranged for our delicious meals. We will break for meals regularly (lunch at noon and dinner at 5:45 pm on Saturday, breakfast at 8:30am and lunch at 12:45pm Sunday) and snacks are also available on both ferry crossings.
The total cost will be $ 280 this year. This cost will include: the two ferry trips, weekend bus transportation, four hot meals ordered off the menu, non-alcoholic drinks, overnight room accommodations, and all taxes and tips. The $ 280 cost will include all expenses for the weekend other than alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, and snacks on the ferry.
All interested persons need to do is: sign up with me and then show up at the Leamington Dock by 9:10 am Saturday morning with warm outdoor clothes and accessories, overnight necessities, $ 280 cheque (payable to David Kraus) or cash per person, and a few additional dollars for extra snacks, etc. if desired. The trails are elevated and dry, but you may wish to bring along rubber boots to access some swampy areas on my property and at the bird banding station, especially if it has been rainy. Carl will hopefully arrange for good weather as usual !!
I will contact each person that registers should any time or location changes for the ferry occur, otherwise the above outline is the basic schedule, rain or shine. I will hand out more detailed schedules on the Saturday morning ferry trip, but with our own driver and rented bus, we can be flexible and able to visit various sites depending on the weather and the group’s wishes.
To register for this trip: see me at the ECFNC meetings, call, or email/text:
Dave Kraus phone: 519 825 7491 (leave message)
call or text: 519 257 8674
I look forward to your company on this ECFNC outing !!!