We commenced our “2004 Back County Rumble” from the “Heritage and Archives” centre just north of Bobcaygeon bright and early on a Saturday morning.  It was Oct 4^th, 2004 and the weatherman predicted threatening skies and a little rain for most of the day. 

Two buses headed west making their way cross-county towards the summer home of Stephen Leacock in Orillia.  Along the way, we went through several communities, some of which were still as vibrant as they were in the early days like Fenelon Falls, while other areas were identified in name only via a small finger sign on a corner post.  

The hustle and bustle of the community had long since been reclaimed by quite pastures and the sound of the wind through the trees.  If you looked closely, you could find maybe a church, or old school house now occupied as a home for a family.  Cemeteries dot the countryside hiding secrets of early adventures by eager homesteaders looking for a fresh beginning in the wilderness of the New World. 

Guy Scott and David Kemlo, commentators / story tellers, kept the captive audience spellbound with renditions of history and stories of settlers, farming, the building of steamships, great logging empires and the coming and going of railways.  Our route criss-crossed the great Trent Water Way System more than once.  The final time was at the Narrows just outside of Orillia where First Nation Ojibwa gathered fish for the long winter months.

At Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) home, a “National Leacock Historic Museum”, we were introduced to a man and his living experiences though a collection of artifacts and personal items which spoke volumes as to the very nature of the man.  He is considered by many as Canadians leading humorist and a political economist.  I would be remised if I didn’t say that the coffee / tea and treats were very good and certainly hit the spot.

The buses then took us to Penetanguishene via Coldwater Road, an old portage route between the Narrows and Georgian Bay where it is reported a tavern sprang up about a mile apart along the old corduroy road.  At Penetanguishene, we boarded the “M.S. Georgian Queen” for a delightful lunch and wonderful afternoon cruise where you can admire the beauty of Georgian Bay's 30,000 Islands as you travel this historic and scenic route amount the many islands in Georgian Bay.  The clouds moved to the south and the sun broke through to brighten the day.

From there it was a short trip to the “Huron/Ouendat Village” where you will find Canada’s first re-created native village representing native beginnings with the lifestyle of the Ouendat people prior to the arrival of the Europeans. Combined with a step back in time is the Huronia Museum where you will find literally thousands of interesting artifacts covering all aspects of Canadian life.  Combine that with “Mundy's Bay Gift Shop” and you come away with an experience you will not soon forget.

After retracing our steps back to the Narrows outside of Orillia, an alternate route was chosen for our return trip which commenced at the westerly beginning of the Monck Road.  For those that joined our first bus tour explored the Monck road east of Kinmount.  This route consisted of the westerly section.  The MONCK Road was constructed for the dual purpose of opening up a wilderness area to settlement and providing an alternative, less vulnerable military route between the upper Great Lakes and the Ottawa Valley. 

Its line from the vicinity of Lake Couchiching to the junction of the Hastings and Mississippi Colonization Roads at the hamlet of York River (now Bancroft), was surveyed in 1864-65 at the time of the American Civil War. Named in honour of the Governor General (1861-68), Lord Monck, construction was begun in 1866 and completed in 1873. 

Free grants of land along its route were made to persons fulfilling the required settlement duties.  Besides the many hamlets and villages along its route, one of the more interesting aspects is the Shoe tree outside of Kinmount.  Several trees have old shoe nailed to them. It’s not certain why this tradition continues but it’s an interesting facet of this historic road.

Once again, this annual bus tour was a resound success and anyone not fortunate enough to join us this year, can obtain a detailed copy of our tour book from the Society for only $15.00. Call 1-705-738-0100

Enjoy life as it is “not a journey to the grave, with the intention of arriving safely, in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: wow, what a ride!”  (author unknown)