We all slept in late our first morning here, but after getting stuff accomplished on the boat & breakfast, M & D took off for supplies. As soon as they returned, dad took Bob and then Jill for their supplies. By the time he returned a steady rain had come down, so much to my happiness; they ate in and shared with me. It was a quiet night and I love those kind!
We woke up a bit earlier today because mom and dad wanted to see downtown Midland and the historical village of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons before we had dinner with Vic and Bev at their house this evening.
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is a completely recreated outdoor village on the site of the original one founded in 1639 by French Jesuits on the land of the Wendat or Huron people. It was originally designed as a retreat for missionaries and a refuge for the converted Christian Wendat. The Wendat shared their knowledge with the Jesuits to help them become self sufficient, but the village only lasted about 10 years.
By that time the Wendat had lost many to illnesses and famine. Their rivals, the Iroquois were unhappy with the Christian Wendat becoming friendly with the French and attacked the village. With the loss of many of their allies, the Jesuits and their helpers decided to burn the village and move closer to Quebec.
Mom loved that the Wendat planted their corn, bean and squash together in little mounds and called them the Three Sisters.
It’s a wonderful museum thanks to all the helpers dressed in historic clothing and presenting various demonstrations throughout the day. The inside museum gives you more of an understanding of how the Jesuits and French came here with many videos and interactive media including a terrific movie.
Mom and dad said they had a better understanding of the history of this area now.
Overlooking the Sainte-Marie of the Huron village, Martyrs’ Shrine is a Roman Catholic church, which is consecrated to the memory of the Canadian Martyrs, six Jesuit Martyrs and two lay persons from the mission of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. M & D didn’t have time to go there.
They did drive downtown and to the waterfront area which was wonderful! Many of the downtown buildings have artistic and historical murals dedicated to different events which adds a real esthetic touch to the town. Sadly, most of the darling shops and stores were closed since today was a Civic Holiday.
Mom and dad fed me and left taking some fantastic smelling pesto infused mac and cheese with them…I can’t believe that I didn’t get any first! I’m insulted!!!
They returned talking about the wonderful meal at Vic and Bev’s and how much they enjoyed spending more time with them! It couldn’t have been all that great since I wasn’t there!
Off tomorrow to an anchorage in Georgian Bay, so don’t know when I’ll get to send out my blog again…stay well…(I’m not sure how I’m going to enjoy anchoring if they can’t get me off to do my business???)
Our sunset our first night here
One of the larger murals of the Wendat and Jesuits
Loved this Canadian geese sculpture with the birds on top of it
What a colorful town with all these murals
So much more interesting than a plain brick wall
Walking into Sainte-Marie on the Huron
Just a few of the buildings within the village
The Jesuit Chapel by their residence
One of the garden areas
One of the demonstrations of the possible uses of this inside waterway
Some of the historical interpreters, they were really good
A birch bark canoe made on site
Church of St. Joseph that combined Catholicism with some of the Wendat traditions
Mike and Vic, as we all sat out on their dock for cocktails and appetizers
Their house from the dock...gorgeous, even if there is much to finish
One of their views looking out from their house...so beautiful! We can't thank them enough for all they did for us!!!
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