Road Trip

9 Jul

FLOATER’S BLOG: Lake Date, July 9th, 2025

A group of us have made a sojourn up from southern Ontario past Sault Ste. Marie to the shore of Lake Superior at Sand Bay. Even now in July and in past Augusts when we have rented the same cottage previously the weather can be very hit and miss. It’s all about the cooling effect of the massive deep lake. If a wind is coming on shore you can bet you will be hiding behind a wind blind even if the sun is out in full. No wind and you might be sweltering given hot enough summer temperatures.

During our week so far we have had two days decent enough for a comfortable float but I also had a couple of chances to get out in a kayak. Plus, almost every day we went for a cycle which is pretty spectacular around here. The roads have been recently paved and there is very little traffic so it’s not difficult to get in a 25 to 30 kilometer ride.

The water temperature close to shore can get rather pleasant because of the shallowness of the bay. Also a reef protects the cove and reduces heat exchange with the colder water in the main body of water but you don’t want to get too far from shore, where you can feel the cooler water with every outward paddle stroke, because a mishap can lead to hypothermia quite quickly.

Although it is called Sand Bay, and it does have a nice beach, there are still a good many rocks off shore in front of our rental so floating out is better than walking out or I’ll just stroll down the beach a short way for a full sand bottom. The view ain’t bad either although I must confess I prefer the warmer and even more scenic Muskoka region closer to Toronto. However the price point up here and the fact that some of our group have family history in the region is what brings us to this area and I’m not turning down a chance for a float in Lake Superior.