BLUEWATER AREA

Drive time: 2 hours

Nine stunning waterfront communi-
ties (including Algonac, Clay, Harbor
Beach, Lexington, Marine City, Port
Austin, Port Huron, Port Sanilac and
St. Clair) and 140 miles of pristine
coastline string together along Lake
Huron on Michigan's eastern shore to
make up what's known as the BLUE

WATER AREA.

Nature's perfect beaches combine
with small-town charm, picturesque
marinas (particularly striking at sun-
set), lighthouses and plenty of opportu-
nities to participate in outdoor activities
— or simply enjoy the views. Sail,
fish, swim, shop, eat or drive along the countryside for a slew of U-pick
orchards and made-in-Michigan wineries.
Check out PORT SANIIAC, a fast-growing perch-fishing destina-
tion, where visitors can scuba-dive shipwrecks dating back to 1864 in
the Sanilac County Underwater Preserve — charter a dive through Four
Fathoms Diving in Port Sanilac (fourfathomsdiving.com) or visit Dive
Inn Watersports in Port Huron for gear rental, purchases and lessons
(diveinnwatersports.net).
Kayak or paddleboard (visit Port Austin Kayak for rentals by the hour,
day or week; portaustinkayak.com) the shallow waters and spectacular
rock formations of PORT AUSTIN. Visit the Great Lakes Maritime Cen-
ter for a taste of PORT HURON, known as the Maritime Capital of the
Great Lakes before watching freighter traffic from the Blue Water River
Walk, a paved path along 4,300 feet of the St. Clair River shoreline. Tour
Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, Michigan's oldest.
TIP: For details on the entire area, including each town and links to
shopping, beaches and more, visit bluewater.org.

Above: Spend a day
on the waters of
Lake Huron in the
Bluewater area.
Left, top: Rent kayaks
from Port Austin
Kayak to explore
the shallow waters
and rock formations
in Port Austin. Left,
bottom: Scuba-dive
shipwrecks on the
floor of Lake Huron in
the Bluewater Area.

POINT PELEE NATIONAL PARK,
ONTARIO, CANADA

Drive time: 2 hours

Nestled 30 miles southeast of Windsor,
Point Pelee is one of Canada's smallest
national parks; but the tiny oasis is an
enormously popular destination. Named
for the marshy and woodland penin-
sula that juts into surrounding Lake
Erie, Point Pelee's lush Carolinian forest
is renowned for its spectacular bird-
watching opportunities — more than
370 species have been recorded and
the park has been coined the Warbler
Capital of Canada.
Hop aboard the free Shuttle to the
Tip for an unparalleled view from the
southernmost tip of mainland Canada.
Swim, canoe, kayak, hike (including a
variety of self-guided trails), bike and
picnic.
Before you head out, visit pc.gc.ca to
learn about special offerings, includ-
ing the Junior Naturalist program,
which introduces kids to the plants and
animals that live in the park; a variety of
Explore with an Interpreter options (by
foot or by Freighter Canoe); and Dark
Sky Nights viewing.
TIP: Don't forgelyour passports —
even for the kids. LJ

www.redthreadmagazine.com

Parks Canada / Photo Credit: Cale Best

ir fOINT.PELEE.NATIONAL

.PARK

Clockwise from top left: Walk along
Point Pelee's floating Marsh Boardwalk,
with an observation tower and
telescopes; Point Pelee's peninsula juts
into Lake Erie; A Freighter Canoe gives
tours of Point Pelee's marshes; A view
of the Milky Way from Point Pelee; Point
Pelee has been a national park for 96
years.

up Tura

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