We spent the last few dyas in beautiful Tobermory, revisiting the famous Flower Pot Island and explored the Grotto which we had missed thirty five years ago while visiting the Bruce Peninsula for the first time.
We were glad that we saw it this time!
After our visit to the Grotto, we started our drive home to Toronto. We never drive straight from one destination to the next when we are on a car trip. We always take detours and stop by to see the samll towns and hamlets in between.
This time we stoppedd in Wiarton. A small town of about 2,300 inhabitants, located on the Bruace Peninsula between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. We hear about Wiarton every year on the news at the beginning of February. After having been holed up in our homes for the entire winter, Canadians are dying to know when spring will arrive so that we can get out of our caves and come out of habination to play.
Spring arrives sometimes early and sometimes later. How do we know when the warmer days will arrive? Canadians all turn to Wiarton Willie eagerly anticipating what this little guy will tell us each year on February 2.
People from far and wide will travel to Wiarton and a big crowd will gather to watch and celebrate the announcement of spring arrival in Canada on February 2 by none other than - Wiarton Willie! In fact, a famous Hollywood movie, Groundhog Day, featured Bill Murray, was made based on Wiarton Willie!
Wiraton Willie is an albino groundhog.Since 1957, he has been coming out of his underground cave on GroundHog Day - February 2, each year to give us his predictions for the arrival of spring in the forthcoming year. For the past seven decades, this has been how Wiraton Willie shares his prediction:
If he comes out and sees his shadow - spring will be here very very soon! Everyone will celebrate!
If he comes out and doesn't see his shadow, it will be a delayed spring, which means Canadians will have to wait for another six to eight weeks or so.
Not only is Wiarton Willie's spring arrival prediction a national news item in Canada and we all sit up straight and pay attention to him; this prediction is also broadcasted globally for all to know!
We were glad that we paid tribute to Wiarton Willie, stopped and visited his home town - Wiarton on this trip!
Another thing we have discovered about Wiarton is that it is a welcoming little town for kids with special needs, particularly kids with autism.
This has been made evident by the huge sign posted in austism friendly language in its beautiful waterfront park.
The Bluewater Park, Wiarton Willie's year round home in Ontario, Canada!
R.T.
Wiarton, Ontario, Canada
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