Puerto Morelos MEXICO

_________________________________________________________________________

Our last international trip was March 2020 ... to Cozumel MEXICO. 

It's been 612 days since then ... 1 year 8 months and 2 days.

Now this ... a great way to restart our out-of-country travel; layin' around in the sun, with good friends and a couple of new friends ... mostly just photos for this trip. Not our typical adventure but a buncha' fun none-the-less.

For more information click the blue links.

_________________________________________________________________________

Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort 

This is a BIG resort (for us), several pools and restaurants. Development is on-going. The beach is short and not great for walking; 15-20 feet was eroded away during a recent hurricane. Gardeners struggle daily to keep the sargassum seaweed that floats in, under control.

Stock photo

Heather and Randy didn't know we were coming, Anne and Dennis (Randy's parents) were in the adjoining room. Anne and Helen conspired to surprise ...

                     

First evenings' sunset from our balcony

First time on a paddle board

_________________________________________________________________________

A recent addition to the El Cid resort ... Ventus

The white, modern buildings of the 290-suite, all-inclusive Ventus sit beside the hacienda-style Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort. Guests are free to wander between the pools and eateries at both properties.

Photo credit: a tourist

Photo credit: Anne

I typically 'overdose' on ceviche anytime we're in Mexico ... this offering (at the La Marina restaurant) was one of the best here. Shrimp, octopus, tuna and avocado with homemade chips; wrapped in a mandolin'ed cucumber bowl. 

The Japanese styled Kobo restaurant was one of the best a-la-carte's and this chef was very entertaining.

... juggling knives

Anhinga

Wilson's Plover (?)

Black Iguana

Osprey

White Spider Lily

_________________________________________________________________________

Photo credit: a tourist

Photo credit: our waiter

The Leaning Lighthouse

The first lighthouse dates back to 1905, although it seems it was little more than a light atop a metal pole. The second, about 30 feet tall, was built out of cement in almost the same location, right on the beach, in 1946. Painted white with blue trim, this second light was hit by Hurricane Beulah in 1967. The strength of this storm degraded the tower’s foundation, causing its unmissable tilted appearance. (Source: Atlas Obscura)

There are some dive operators in the area but the coast here doesn't offer the same wildlife diversity that the Mesoamerican reef along the eastern coastline of Cozumel Island does.

We need to go now ... see you all next time.

_________________________________________________________________________

  We're not LOAFin Around  this trip ... we're Kanoe Tripping

  

Refer to our Trips153/154 gallery for all the photography ... from 2021's summer and autumn of 'covid interrupted' road tripping adventures. 

For more photos from this trip see the Trip155 gallery.

Camera: Nikon Coolpix P610

Unless noted, all content is ours. 

________________________________________________________________________

Killarney Provincial Park

 

My gawd, we've had a lot of rain in the last few days.  

Not much sun ... not many photos.

__________________________________

                                        

Killarney Provincial Park

George Lake Campground

Killarney is primarily a wilderness park. There are few facilities to allow visitors a chance to experience the solitude and beauty of its undisturbed natural setting. It has a number of hiking trails and canoe-in back-country camping. The canoe routes include well maintained portages between lakes. The campground includes six heated yurts which have electric lighting, a power outlet, a propane barbecue and bunk beds. Situated on the north shore of Georgian Bay in the municipality of Killarney, the park straddles the La Cloche range, large rounded white quartzite hills that dominate the landscape. The white peaks and cliffs contrast with the pine and hardwood forests and the boggy lowlands that surround the park's many lakes. (Source: Ontario Parks)

At Camp ...

One or both of us, has been here several times before. Overnight camp spots on road-tripping travels to western or northern Canada, to hike or backpack and once for a short paddling loop.

Along the trails ...

__________

Granite Ridge - 2 km (Moderate)

Description: Providing views of the unique La Cloche Mountains for which Killarney is renowned the trail winds through old fields and forests and climbs to a ridge with two lookouts over the park. To the south, your eye moves along the shore from Collin’s Inlet and Philip Edward Island to the expanse of Georgian Bay. To the north, see the spectacular La Cloche Mountains. (Source: Ontario Parks)

Difficulty: We had some heavy rains in the area, prior to hiking here. This trail was fairly treacherous with long, muddy sections and fairly steep, but short climbs ... if you carry walking sticks, use them if the weather is damp.

Trailhead

An old road bed runs through here ... I imagined those days of running bootleg liquor in the backwoods? ... but, there's probably a much less romantic explanation.

Bonded leaves ... red maple pasted onto the top of a striped maple

Erratic

Nearing the ridge ...

The view at the top ... on an overcast, rainy day.

___________________________

La Cloche Silhouette Backpacking Trail - 80 km (Strenuous). 

We walked in about a kilometre.

Difficulty: We had a break in the rainy weather and decided to try for some late day hiking on the La Cloche Trail. After about 1/2 and hour in the heavy rains resumed ... we high-tailed it back to camp!

Description: Although this trail takes up to 10 days to do in its entirety, hikers can take shorter trips starting from two trailheads in George Lake Campground. (Day hikers should leave sufficient time to retrace their steps along the trail back to the campground.) The west section of this trail is moderate, heading to Acid and Lumsden lakes over rolling forested hills. It crosses small streams and rivers, occasionally following the rocky shores of small lakes. Keep on the lookout for wildlife or clues of their presence. The east section of this trail heads uphill to the Crack, a ridge with a vista of rugged and scenic landscapes. Considered strenuous, this section passes through forests and wetlands and over rocky ridges. It takes 12 hours of steady hiking and you have to climb over large boulders to reach the top of the ridge. Do not try to reach the Crack unless you are in good shape and can get an early start. (Source: Ontario Parks)

Dann backpacked this trail (almost 20 years ago now) in 2002; he claims it's quite a nice walk. 

'Seein' as how', we weren't able to take many photos this time, here's a link to the photo gallery from that adventure ... for any hikers that may be contemplating it.

_________________

  

We're LOAFin Around 

... follow along, if you like.

  

Refer to our Trips153/154 gallery for all the photography ... from 2021's summer and autumn of 'covid interrupted' road tripping adventures.

Camera: Nikon Coolpix P610

Unless noted, all content is by LOAFin Around. 

TEAM: LOAF, Crumby, Wry and Crusty 

__________________________________________________________