Killbear

Now I know that our family is actually very predictable. On Canada day, we decided to head north – to one of those beautiful places about 250 kilometers away from our home. Despite the fact that we expanded heroic effort (well, my husband did) on getting up extra early, we ended up leaving the house around the same time as all the other people who were going in the same direction as us. By nine o’clock, the traffic outside of Toronto allowed us to move no faster than 20-30 km/h.

Three lanes were moving at this snail pace in search of new adventures. We covered 60 kilometers in two hours. It’s a good thing when, in the confined space of the car, there are only grownup people without any children or pets. Many sufferers had to stop their cars in search of a convenient location around the inhospitable zone near the highway. Nobody beeped or yelled things like “I can see you!” or “Get a washroom,” because everybody knew, they could be next.

The place that we eventually got to is called - Killbear.

This country changes pretty rapidly. Ten years ago, when we went to visit Killbear, the road had two lanes, and now it is an expansive highway.

It’s impossible to prepare yourself for the sights of this place. Even my photos present a pale imitation of this massive, extraordinarily beautiful manifestation of Canadian nature. Imagine pink granite stones, which disappear into blue-green-turquoise water. Enormous rocks glimmer in the sun, and change colour, as if according to their own mood. They are covered in moss and lichen of many different enchanting shades – from bright salad-green to a subdued shade of grey. The rocks and stones are so pleasant in texture to the feet, as they curve and break and reveal their veins, capillaries, and arteries. In the spot where the stone meets water, it changes its colour. The water, too, transforms upon meeting a shade of pink, and acquires its own unusual colouring.

Throughout the day, depending on the location of the sun and the general attributes of the weather, you can witness many changes. The forest sometimes changes into a bright green dress; sometimes it dongs a purple veil, and sometimes it darkens and emits ominous whispers.

Although our intention intention was to open the swimming season, and the temperature in the air indicated that this would be possible, I chickened out when I put my foot into the water. It was freezing. Other members of our family were brave enough to get in, but it wasn’t long before they got out.

We didn’t get to meet any bears this time. Someone we did see was this elegant snake, who was searching for a cool place to rest. She found in a crevice under a stone. I always walk around this area barefoot. I never would have thought that, two centimeters away from my feet, there could be a curled-up, sleeping snake.

Another thing I like about this place is that there are several kinds of beaches. There is even a shallow, sandy one for the kids. For those who love to swim in deep water, there is the rest of the area.

It’s too bad that all these beautiful nature spots are so far from Toronto.

I hope you enjoyed my story about this unique and mysterious place. And how do you like the name?