Hike in Awenda Park, Georgian Bay in Spring - March 2011 · Apr 5, 05:13 pm
Oh we are so lucky to live in Midland with Awenda Park so close to our doorstep!
If these photos don’t inspire us to create sculpted paintings, I can’t imagine what would. In all seasons, Georgian Bay is STUNNING! Each season brings such diversity!
And many of these beach photos remind me of what the Arctic might look like in the summer. So vast, so quiet!
What a great day!!!!
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Stu getting ready at the top of the Trailhead to the Beaches of Awenda.
Is that Jackie O? Na, just Carol overlooking the Bay from the top of Awenda Park Trail. 
Ahh, into the forest we go! Looks like the shadow of that tree is following us.
Amazing Beach contrasts at Awenda - Spring 2011
Black Erratic at Awenda Park
Erratic in the Ice at Awenda Park
If this doesn't become a sculpted painting, I don't know what will! GORGEOUS TONES!
It was FREEZING on shore - had to huddle! (aw shucks!)
Stu snowshoeing on the sand. Well he did need the snowshoes in the bush.
And there goes Stu walking on water again ... what a show off ... haha ... This photo actually makes me feel like we are in the Arctic on a summer day. We are so lucky to live here!
Looks still ... but it was brisk! 
And there's winky. I was able to take off a few layers in the bush, after freezing on the beach.
— Carol Currie
Tripping West to Collingwood, Scenic Caves, Bruce Trailhead and Beaver Valley · Mar 28, 09:11 pm
Between all this carving and painting, Stu and I took off out of Midland and headed West – well not to BC … but we did end up at the top of the Hill at the Entrance to the Scenic Caves overlooking Collingwood – WHAT A HILL!!!! WHAT A VIEW!!!
But not before heading down to the 13th Concession of Tiny Beaches to take a short walk along the water. So pretty!
The photo of the ‘hands’ – yes those are mine – was taken by stu – I was so excited to see this amazing view – right at one of the trailheads to the Bruce Trail – that I said, this would make a really nice tall triptych to show the varying layers of colours from sky to water to trees to rock.
I liked Stu’s version of the view with the lone trees.
We can’t wait to get back there while we start our Bruce Trail hike from there – this view would be stunning in early spring with the bright greens.
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Carol walking along Beach near Balm Beach, March 2011
Carol at one of the entrances to Bruce Trail overlooking Collingwood. What a VIEW!
View of Collingwood - part two of a potential triptych.
Oh darn, I hope this isn't a sign of my future??? May be the same name, but no relation. Yes, much happier being in the business of creating art!
— Carol Currie
Western Islands, Georgian Bay Adventure · Aug 31, 02:56 pm
We were invited on an adventure of a lifetime while living here in Midland. A flotilla was scheduled to go to the Western Islands last Saturday August 28 from Thunder Beach. We were invited to share in this adventure in a 30 foot Boston Whaler. The whaler is known as one of the best Georgian Bay boats, able to smoothly cut through the large swells that Georgian Bay is noted for. And since the Western Islands are known as the most exposed Islands on the East side of Georgian Bay, and with swells of over 1 metre were in the forecast for that day, we were happy to be in this majesty of a boat. The Western Islands are the only ‘land’ between Parry Sound and the Lion’s Head of the Bruce Peninsula.
What a trip! Unfortuneately due to the high winds, none of the boats of the flotilla attempted the trip except for us – well one boat attempted but turned back just before Hope Island … but what a great day. Not a cloud in the sky!
It was our first time beyond Hope Island since moving to this area – (way too busy with our artwork, and still fixing our land bound Bertram boat) … so we were so excited to have the opportunity to get out there in Georgian Bay, where hopefully we will be venturing next summer with our own boat.
What a sight of inspiration! Hope Island disappears quite quickly, then nothing. Very little sight to land anywhere. Just open water.
The Boston Whaler was a sweet ride … the Captain was tremendous at steering the boat into the swells, so there was little pounding … just the occasional smashing of waves, then relief from the heat, as we were sprayed by water.
Within 20 minutes of open water wave running, aye captaine pointed out the Islands, way off in the distance … they looked like white mirages floating above the horizon … very cool.
Another 20 minutes, and we came upon them …. WOW is all I can say. The photos should tell the rest of the tale.
Unbelievable colours, reminding me of the caribbean … except the water is perhaps 20 degrees colder (it was nippy … refreshing).
I could easily spend a week there exploring.
We took the inflatable dingy to shore to do some exploring on land, and after finally finding a place to anchor within the centre of the Islands, we had some lunch, and set off to take a ride around the Lighthouse of the Western Western Islands.
After doing some research, I found out that the Lighthouse is the last remaining wooden Lighthouse of the Great Lakes, built in 1895. GORGEOUS sight. Apparently, the keepers would live in Lighthouse for months at a time … very isolated. Imagine how much painting and reading you could accomplish living there.
What a tremendous trip. We met great people and had some good laughs. Thank you to the captaine and his lovely wife, Judy, Craig and the kids for this inspirational trip. After over 400 photos, I think I have my next series.
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Stu dropping us off on shore at the Western Islands
The water is like the Carribean at the Western Islands
Seriously, it looks like something in the Carribean, or the Mediterranean .. but it's Georgian Bay! Okay, the water was a little colder.
Our Captain stayed with his boat. Anchorage was pretty tough with the 1 meter waves.
Gorgeous colours at the Western Islands
Boulders of the Western Islands
And yes, HUGE trees finding growth amongst this harsh landscape and winds.
Again, I find the contrasts absolutely breathtaking.
Western Islands
Judy, looking into the somewhat protected anchorage at the Western Islands.
Judy, waiting for Stu to arrive with the dingy...looking at what felt like a little hot tub of water.
More amazing greenery surviving on the rocks.
Rounding the Lighthouse of the Western Western Islands. STUNNING!
Closeup of the Lighthouse of the Western Western Islands.
— Carol Currie
Willisville Mountain vs Vale Update with Globe and Mail · Jun 8, 10:28 pm
Jon Butler of the La CLoche Mountain Preservation Society See website for details has been on the phone and interviewed by CTV, CBC, Sudbury Star, Sault Star, Northern Life, and the Globe and Mail, all published articles today June 8, 2010.
Both Jon and myself were interviewed by Ann Hui of the Globe and Mail regarding our positions as artists and local residents about the potential mining of Willisville mountain by Vale.
Unfortuneately the native concerns to the land, spoken by Christi Belcourt, was edited out along with my hopes that someone can purchase the land to permanently protect the mountain, perhaps through a Land Trust, much like our local Georgian Bay Land Trust protects Islands between Midland and Parry Sound.
It is my hopes that the land is protected from any mining for future generations so that we can preserve a historical, and cultural icon.
— Carol Currie
Thunder Beach, Georgian Bay, Looking at Giant's Tomb · May 25, 02:07 pm
The Thunder Beach Association has asked me to line up a few artists to host their FIRST ANNUAL Art Exhibition at their Clubhouse this Summer, dated for Sunday July 18 1-5pm – open to the public.
So I took advantage of this great weekend weather to head up to the beach and take some measurements of the building and property to determine the layout of the show. It’s going to be a FANTASTIC lineup of a dozen eclectic artists. More details to follow in the next blog – with photos and links to each artist’s website.
So of course, while I was there, I visited the beach to take some photos to become artworks for sale at the show. I can’t believe that GORGEOUS “bonsai” appearing Pine Tree!!! Woohoo. And beyond, you can see Giant’s Tomb. I will be painting the works through my sunglasses – with a polarizing lens to bring out the greens in the water. Unfortuneately my camera doesn’t have that filter yet, but it was truly like a Northern Ontario Caribean scene.
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Thunder Bay Beach
Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
Giant's Tomb in the Distance
Georgian Bay Beach
Bonsai Pine of Thunder Beach
Near Midland Ontario
May Long Weekend
— Carol Currie