This years Killbear Week was held between Saturday August 9 to Sunday August 17 at its usual location: Harold Point campground in Killbear Provincial Park. Besides sailing, there were lots of chances to enjoy traditional camping activities like searching for wildlife and chatting round the campfire.
The happy hour on Saturday was a good chance to catch up with friends we hadn't seen for a while.
On Sunday we had some nice sunny weather, and the beach was a popular destination.
At the end of the afternoon there was another chance for a social get together at the Brendeke's site. We could discuss the day's activities and see who else had arrived. This year, Karen Bell and her family joined us for OMDA week all the way from Germany, where she has lived for the last 25 years.
It was a beautiful morning. Karen caught some early morning visitors at her campsite.
On Monday we had a new event this year. Two families with ties to OMDA have acquired cottages on Parry Island across from Lighthouse Point. Kathy Hicks hosted the get together at their cottage. It's a long way from Killbear to the cottages by car, but quite a reasonable trip by boat, so we had a sail-in happy hour.
Randy and Derek ferried extra visitors across in Charger from Lighthouse Point. The Rogers, whose cottage is just a short distance along the shore from the Hicks, provided overflow beach parking and an easily recognizable navigational marker for those arriving by boat!
The floating swim raft was a popular attraction with the kids, and a few of the adults too!
We had a lot of rain Tuesday morning. The campground was quiet, as lots of people decided it was a good time for a resupply run into Parry Sound. However, we had some drier weather in the afternoon, and people took advantage of it on the beach and out on the water. The braver souls ventured out into the wind.
Of course we had the usual late afternoon social event. Some deer came by to see what all the fuss was.
The weather wasn't all that good on Wednesday - more rain. Fortunately, there were crafts to keep the kids busy.
Thursday was fairly nice weather, but the winds were very strong!
Only a few sailors ventured out.
Poor weather, and very high winds prevented us from holding the poker race this year. The kids were worried there wouldn't be prizes at the corn roast, so Marika organized another episode of sailing themed beach olympics. The kids took them pretty seriously. Some got wind of the events early and were seen putting in practice ahead of time!
That afternoon, the maintenance crew provided the some additional entertainment as they replaced the sign on the beach that had become rather weathered.
Some, not content to just watch others work, tackled engineering projects of their own!
There was plenty of wind - too much for the Poker race. Stephen and Karen ventured out in Steve's boat.
That evening we had the corn roast. Derek and Alison graciously hosted the event from their site backing on the field, and the younger members made good use of it to wear off some of the energy from all the corn they ate.
Saturday was a nice day, but with quite strong winds. A few of the hardier sailors ventured out to enjoy the wind. Stephen and Karen did a cruise round Rose Island.
On Sunday, we finally had a day with moderate winds, So Karen decided it was safe to take Marcel out for a sail in the same boat that she learned in (Ian Mason had bought the boat from her father, and had lent it to her for OMDA week).
Others spent the day admiring wildlife
Thanks to all those who provided photos:
© 2014 Ontario Mirror Dinghy Association