MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Summer 2018

52 ML BLUE SUMMER 2018 24 25 HALF DAY TRIPS U Catch ’Em Charters Six of us piled on board the U Catch ‘Em Charters boat early one morning, not really knowing what to expect. None of us were really fishermen types, but it was a chance to hang out for the morning and have some fun. As the captain drove the boat out of the Meaford harbour, we talked, laughed and joked, while the captain quietly left the driver’s seat, set up the outriggers and started fishing. We didn’t even realize it was happening. Before any of us had even finished our morning coffees, the captain yelled, “Fish on! Who wants it?” And that was it. One of us stepped up to the rod and reeled in a beautiful trout. And for the next four hours we repeated the process over and over again. Even people who hate fishing will tell you it’s a blast when the fish are biting. And if you head out into Georgian Bay with U Catch ‘Em Charters, the fish will definitely be biting. We went home that day happy and wind-burned, each with a beautiful trout in hand, already gutted and ready for the grill. A great day of hard “work” providing for our families. – Colin Field DIY: meaford.ca/tourism and ucatchemcharters.com There are few things as magical as a sky full of stars. And with the Northern Bruce Peninsula and Lion’s Head declared a Dark Sky Community, there are few better places to contemplate your place in the universe while pondering the Milky Way. The entire municipality has made a conscious effort to limit excess light pollution and the volunteers at Bayside Astronomy are spreading the word about this initiative at their weekly Friday and Saturday night stargazing program at the Lion’s Head harbour’s Peninsula Observation Deck. Every Friday (weather permitting) stop by the harbour and meet the volunteers who set up their high-powered telescopes on the night’s best celestial attractions, from planets to stars. Join the small queues to look through the telescopes and hear all about the amazing things you’re seeing. This guided tour of the stars is completely free and will have you realizing the importance of dark skies for the planet, our ecosystem and your own sense of peace. Follow the Bayside Astronomy page on Facebook during the summer months for weather updates to ensure the Friday and Saturday programs are running. —Allison Kennedy Davies DIY: stay at the nearby Fitz Hostel in Lion's Head: thefitzhostel.com COLIN FIELD Dark Sky Explorers, Lion’s Head ALLISON KENNEDY DAVIES