BS: St. Joseph's Island, Ontario

Subject: BS: St. Joseph's Island, Ontario
From: Janie
Date: 09 May 05 - 11:54 AM

Can anyone tell me anything about this area?

We have been offered the use of a house near Hilton Beach on St. Joseph's this summer. My husband had been hoping to go to Alaska but $$$ will not be there. He was wondering if St. Joseph and environs might be a decent substitute. He is a wilderness lover. We are also kayakers (sea) and were wondering about water quality/pollution on the lake. The website for Hilton Beach is not very enticing in terms of our interests, but I am hoping some of our Canadian or Michigan 'catters might have some first hand knowledge of the area.

Thanks,

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: St. Joseph's Island, Ontario
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 09 May 05 - 02:57 PM

My grandparents-in-law have one hell of a 'cottage' on St Joes Isle... it's a great place to visit...

But it's NO Alaska...

Feel free to PM me with more specific questions, and if I can't aswer them, I'll email the grand-rents and ask them for ya!

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: St. Joseph's Island, Ontario
From: Janie
Date: 09 May 05 - 04:51 PM

Thanks Clinton! I'll get with hubby and see what info. he wants.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: St. Joseph's Island, Ontario
From: number 6
Date: 09 May 05 - 09:06 PM

Where exactly in Ontarion is St. Joseph's Island ..... curious.

expatriate Upper Canadian sIx

Subject: RE: BS: St. Joseph's Island, Ontario
From: Janie
Date: 09 May 05 - 09:10 PM

That is exactly what I asked, when hubby told me of the offer. Looking at a map,it is in Lake Huron, a little southeast (I think) of Sault Ste. Marie.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: St. Joseph's Island, Ontario
From: GUEST,Chris
Date: 29 May 05 - 09:50 PM

St. Joes Island is an amazing place to be. I myself just returned from there and its awesome. My whole family lives there and if you like the ourdoors you will love it.

Subject: RE: BS: St. Joseph's Island, Ontario
From: gnu
Date: 30 May 05 - 06:33 AM

sIx... an Uppity Canadian eh? Have you obtained your Lowley Canadian citzenship yet? Since you reside in New Brunswick, you have to be able to drink one Moose Red and one Moose Green or one Alpine without spitting any out and say, convincingly, "That's not bad."

Subject: RE: BS: St. Joseph's Island, Ontario
From: *daylia*
Date: 30 May 05 - 07:01 AM

Here's some pictures of the island, Janie. It's near Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world - and it's a beautiful place. Looks like there's plenty of water sports too.

And here's a little history of the area (Sorry, can't help it - I LOVE history!) In 1649 the Jesuit missionaries Lalonde and Brebeuf were martyred by the Iroquios when they burned down Sainte Marie among the Hurons (the first white settlement here in Ontario, about a half-hour drive from where I live). The surviving Hurons (or Wendat, as they called themselves) sought refuge on St Joseph's Island. Some of their descendants are still living there.

The devastating attack on Huronia broke the will of the Hurons and they ceased to be a cohesive nation. Some fled west and north begging their Petun neighbours to take them in. Many, under the guidance of the Jesuits, settled on St. Joseph's Island at the tip of Nottawasaga Bay. The missionaries moved all their possessions from Ste. Marie including surplus stocks of corn and vegetables before setting fire to the buildings.

The Huron settlement on St. Joseph's Island seemed ideal for the refugees that had survived the Iroquois onslaught. The Jesuits had moved all their supplies and livestock to the island and confidently predicted that they could keep the settlement going for at least three years if not longer.

All the good fathers' help would be needed if the remnants of the once mighty Huron nation were to survive. The Hurons had lost all energy and initiative and the Jesuits found them living on acorns and garlic on their arrival at St. Joseph's. There were plenty of fish in the bay, but the Hurons had few boats and no new ones were under construction.

Well I hope you like corn and garlic ;~) & have a great time!

Subject: RE: BS: St. Joseph's Island, Ontario
From: *daylia*
Date: 30 May 05 - 07:32 AM

that should have been a-corns and garlic ... ewwwwwwwwwwww

Subject: RE: BS: St. Joseph's Island, Ontario
From: GUEST
Date: 30 May 05 - 05:34 PM

When you go to the island, be sure to check out the museum and the golf course! my uncle owns the course. Have a great time!

Subject: RE: BS: St. Joseph's Island, Ontario
From: number 6
Date: 30 May 05 - 06:20 PM

HeHe .... gotcha gnu!!

Done it .... and 'that's not bad' .... not bad at all !!

NB is my home now and I'm proud of it.

Subject: RE: BS: St. Joseph's Island, Ontario
From: GUEST,Brian
Date: 31 May 05 - 02:57 PM

http://www.ontarionature.org/reserves/res_st_josephs.html

This can give you an idea of the area's potential.

This is the near-north I guess, just a couple hours north of there in the Chaplea area is the Arctic Watershed - water from that point flows north to the Arctic.

An interesting area - not far from the state of Michigan.

I think the area close to there is a shipping channel and it looks to be a somewhat protected water so should be fine for kayaking. But if you wanted to you are not far from other more adventuresome waters in Lake Huron. Lake Huron has been a growing area for kayaking adventures. White Squall Kayaks near Parry Sound has been a growing trip source, as well as the Wiarton area on the other side of the lake. That's all a bit further south though.

Google kayaking for the area, the Sault Ste. Marie area, SSM tourism etc. and you should get some contacts and info.