And the Winner Is ...

While traveling today we thought back over our trip and came up with our favorites in several categories. Numbers in parenthesis indicate the number of entries.

State or province (2) - Ontario. While the UP was beautiful, Ontario from stem to stern was spectacular

Campground (17) - Bay Furnace, Munising MI. Killer view and close to all attractions.

Best camping not in a campground (2) - Niagara-on-the-Lake. Camping right on a city street but backed up to a lovely city park. Clean restrooms, easy walks to great restaurants and theatre.

Best Theatre festival (2) - Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

Best Music Festival (1) - Summerfolk, Ownen Sound. Really would have liked to spend more time here, but even if you're gone for a long time, you still have to make choices.

Best music in a campground (1) - Neil Lafaive, Awenda PP. Not very often you get professional music at a campground program.

Best Day use area (many) - Killbear PP. A grassy area right by our camper, killer view, good swimming and really comfortable for the dogs.

Best Hike (about 10) - Chapel loop, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Wow, super trail surface, great lake views, rock formations and a great lunch spot on a Lake Superior beach.

Best Boat Ride (3) - Parry Sound, 30,000 Islands cruise. Great tours of homes and cottages.

Best Beach (many) - Awenda PP. Georgian Bay beach with 3 lagoon areas, great views and plenty of shade.

Best Great Lake (4) - Lake Huron. Warm water, beautiful bays.

Best Hiking for dogs (several) - Killbear PP day use area. It was here Sol came into his own again. He jumped out and took the lead on this hike to the lighthouse. Boy he was happy.

Hike with the most people - Bruce Peninsula NP trail to the grotto. Lotsof people, but uber cool. We had to descend thru a hole in the rocks to get into a cave that had an underwater opening to daylight on the other side..

Best meal out (4) - Charles Inn, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Best lunch (10) - We called this a tie. We stopped at 2 roadside cafes each about 70 km from the Soo, one NW and the other SE. At each we had poutine, but the real feature was the local color. Also warranting an honorable mention was the Mermaid's Secret in Tobermory. Jim had a really tasty whitefish on pita with a honey/raspberry glaze; fun server and good conversation with locals and internet access.

Best food item - Poutine, but the perogies at the roadside cafe NW of the Soo rates an honorable mention. All comfort food.

Best Wine (way too many) - Inniskillen Cabernet Franc Ice Wine (MW) Jackson Triggs Gewurztraminer (JW)

Best Small Town (several) - Goderich Ont