Port Whitby (Waterfront Trail) & the Pumphouse

You know I think this weather has really made it difficult for me to discipline myself in keeping my posts up to date.  Here's another one long overdue!  Continuing eastbound on the waterfront trail (east of Lynde Shores) you will come to an off-road and paved part of the trail at Port Whitby for about 60 km.  This port has over 400 slips and is an award-winning docking facility.  A couple of weeks ago when I was there taking some pictures along the pier, I happened to notice a seagull perched on top of a sign looking as though it had a broken wing.  As I approached more closely, it was obvious that it had been badly injured by a fishing hook and fishing line (see more about this story in "A Seagull's Demise" in this blog).  Although this sight was pretty sad indeed, it was an otherwise beautiful day with many people beating the heat enjoying water activities, like sailing and swimming.

Lions Promenade

Port Whitby and Pier

Further up around the bend, you'll see the Lions Promenade, where people gather to meet and eat, or get shelter from the rain, which is sometimes necessary when a sudden rainstorm catches you by surprise!   The Rotary Sunrise Lake Park is directly east of the pier.  You will almost always see this park alive with people enjoying picnics, BBQs and family get-togethers because of its beachfront access, and lots of parking.

Rotary Park

The Pump House, circa 1904

Along the boardwalk, I noticed a ruin up ahead of some sort with a fence surrounding it.  I didn't let that stop me though, and I squeezed through an opening just wide enough to let me know that I wasn't the only one doing this!  I immediately began taking some pictures with the idea of doing some research later on to find out what exactly this place once was.  After no luck in my search, I decided to call the Town of Whitby's Parks & Recreation Department.  They knew exactly what I was describing and told me that it used to be the Waterworks Pump House, circa 1904.  They just refer to it as "the Pump House". I thought that was really neat.  I love history, especially structural history.

Ronald Deeth Park

Thickson's Point

Okay, so literally back on track here once again, continuing on foot.  Right after I edged out of the Pumphouse, I spot a sign which read, 'Welcome to Heydenshore Kiwanis Park"  They have these parks  named individually because the property is so expensive here, so this way the costs can fall under different municipalities or institutions, which seems like a good idea.  

Exiting woodland at Thornton Ave

Thickson Woods

There's an uncommon feature at the Kiwanis park, which isn't found in most other nature parks. Apparently, on June 23, 2012 the Rotary Club  teamed up with the Town of Whitby to unveil the first Outdoor Fitness park.  There are 10 pieces of equipment in all, and since it's a new commodity around here, don't be expecting to have your 'turn' anytime soon.  Personally, I'd rather just keep moving along the Waterfront trail.  Through Ronald Deeth park to Thickson's Point, you'll enjoy breathtaking and refreshing views along the water. You will soon find yourself coming to the paved ending of the trail at Thickson Road, which will force you northbound off the trail for another 10 minutes.  After that, you'll enter into some really pretty natural woodlands, called Thickson Woods.  There's a point of interest in the trail that I liked where you were given

Wall-e?

the opportunity to learn more about what you were looking at.  First of all, there are optical binoculars (sort of resembled, 'Wall-e; remember that Walt Disney movie?) As well, they have an interactive audio sound-box that you can crank up to hear an audio voice speak a bit about the parks and marshes in the area.  For some reason, it brought memories back of the Ontario Science Centre when I was a child.  I really enjoyed walking through Thickson Woods and would recommend this portion of the trail for photographers, and nature lovers who enjoy open fields, wildflowers, butterflies, grasshoppers and multiple species of birds as I do.  


Advancing further on the Waterfront trail eastward, you will come to Intrepid Park.  Here you will see a war memorial from WWII, referred to as Camp X.  If you want to do some reading on that, you can find it here.

Thickson Woods

After almost 3 1/2 hours and 15 km of walking, believe me it was really catching up to me, especially from the heat.  As I was visiting in Oshawa for dinner, off the trail I went.  It was already close to 4:30!  The sun was high and hot in the sky, trekking along Park Road South.  Passed the nearly ghost-like GM plant in Oshawa.  The once "bread and butter" of this town was just a skeletal remnant of its glory days.  Took some side streets past some empty lots and a few boarded up homes before reaching a Mac's store to have the most delicious "slushie" ever! (well at least that's how it seemed at the time).

GM Plant @ Thornton Avenue

Finally arrived at 5:00 to the front doors.  Oh, the dinner..you can decide whether or not it was worth the walk...:p