On our way back from Toronto, we decided to visit the Sandbanks Provincial Park, South of Belleville. We had done some research and it looked great: three big sandy beaches bordering Lake Ontario, the world’s largest bay mouth barrier dune formation and plenty of walking trails.

We booked a hotel in Belleville, a forty-minute drive from the Park, and headed there early afternoon with our swimsuits, towels and a restless baby.

Like when we visited Georgian Bay, it was hot and cloudy. And it quickly changed to “hot and stormy” by the time we arrived at the beach.

I’m not a lake person; for me, a beach has to be along the seaside. But I must say I was impressed by the stretch of sand and the clear water at Sandbanks beach. It didn’t feel like I was dipping my toes in a lake at all—and no Nessie in sight!

Mark went straight into the water. My son, the paradox: he screams in the bathtub but happily crawls into the water until he is actually under water. Go figure.

Half an hour later, I noticed the beach was emptying. Everyone was packing and presumably going back to the parking lot. “Meh,” I said. “It’s not raining yet and even if it does, who cares? We are wearing swimsuits!”

Then I realized the water had receded quite a bit. And that the seagulls were flying away from the beach.

“Eh Feng!” I joked. “Doesn’t it remind you of these movies where a tsunami or an earthquake is about to happen and where all the characters ignore the obvious warning signs?”

Two seconds later, Feng pointed out that the air was so static that my hair—and Mark’s—stuck straight up. We were literally charged with electricity.

“Maybe we should…”

Before I had the time to say “go,” it started pouring. We ran back to the car and took shelter there for a good half an hour.

Would the rain stop? Should we stay or should we go? We voted for staying. There wasn’t much to do in Belleville on Labour Day, and the perspective of keeping an overactive dragon in the hotel room was enough to convince me to stick around.

We had made the right decision. We drove to Dunes Beach and discovered a sandy bay encircled by huge dunes dominating the scenery. By the time we got there, the rain had mostly stopped. The clouds were gorgeous and the little stretch of sand, right at the edge of the woods, was deserted. I could see the dunes right beside us and spotted a paved path.

“Look, we can probably get closer to the dunes, even with the stroller!”

We got to the bottom of the dunes. And then… well, let me just say that carrying a ten-kilo baby and a stroller on top of a sand dune definitely counts as exercise! It was beautiful, though. The three of us, perched on the dune, overlooking the quiet lake—it was a really cool experience.

Belleville was worth a stop too. We explored the town at night and while it was very quiet because of Labour Day, people were extremely friendly and outgoing. Ontario rules!

I Know, I have Weird Tan Lines
I Know, I have Weird Tan Lines
That Baby is White!
That Baby is White!
In Lake Ontario
In Lake Ontario
In Lake Ontario
In Lake Ontario
In Lake Ontario
In Lake Ontario
The Beach
The Beach
Green Trees
Green Trees
Stormy Sky
Stormy Sky
Stormy Sky
Stormy Sky
Empty Beach
Empty Beach
Mark in Water
Mark in Water
Getting Stormy...
Getting Stormy…
Very Static!
Very Static!
When Mark Realizes that Drinking Lake Water is Not a Good Idea
When Mark Realizes that Drinking Lake Water is Not a Good Idea
Sheltered in the Car
Sheltered in the Car
After the Storm
After the Storm
Quiet Beach
Quiet Beach
Going Through the Storm
Going Through the Storm
Stormy Sky
Stormy Sky
Little Path to the Dunes
Little Path to the Dunes
Sand and Shadow
Sand and Shadow
Our Feet
Our Feet
Sun Behind the Clouds
Sun Behind the Clouds
The Beach
The Beach
Wild Flowers
Wild Flowers
Sand Dunes
Sand Dunes
Feet in the Sand
Feet in the Sand
Mark and Feng
Mark and Feng
Feet in Water
Feet in Water
Sand Dunes
Sand Dunes

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8 Comments

  1. Lou's Lake Views September 18, 2013 at 9:14 am

    That static shot is amazing, I’ve never seen anything like that from a storm before. Lots of people have recommended sandbanks to us but we’ve not had a chance to go yet, maybe next summer!

    Reply
    1. Zhu September 18, 2013 at 10:03 am

      Try to check it out if you get a chance, it is worth a trip.

      Reply
  2. Dennation September 18, 2013 at 8:09 pm

    I never knew there were such big sand dunes along Lake Ontario! And the water is surprisingly clear, considering it’s the end of summer and it was a stormy day.

    I especially enjoyed the pictures of Mark in the water – he really is in his element.

    What I really miss from Canada are the picnics, campfires and bbqs by the lakes or in parks. It’s just not the same here.

    Reply
    1. Zhu September 18, 2013 at 9:31 pm

      I had never heard of that place before this year. It’s not that famous I guess!

      Mark is weird with water. He doesn’t mind the beach but is terrified of the shower!

      Reply
  3. Boeingbleu September 19, 2013 at 8:02 am

    This is such a beautiful place, I’d love to go back one day!

    Reply
    1. Zhu September 19, 2013 at 10:00 am

      You would like it as a true Québécoise who likes the outdoors!

      Reply
  4. Christiane September 22, 2013 at 8:39 am

    Look like a peaceful beach 🙂

    Reply
    1. Zhu September 22, 2013 at 10:06 am

      A bit stormy but yes, peaceful and secluded!

      Reply

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