Pelee
Island weekend on North Shore Drive.
At its western end of Pelee Island, North Shore Road. branches to become West Shore Drive
and the road also continues straight ahead as a second branch to become Sheridan Point Road.
Sheridan Point
Road. Yes,
that branch is probably named after General Philip Sherman, Civil War leader.
A small stone house stands with dignity on the lake shore at
Sheridan Point. Could the Civil War
General have vacationed in this building?
Last week-end, Pelee
Island was again a perfect
destination.. Gentle breezes, beautiful sun during the daylight hours and at
night, the moon-glow of a half-moon on the surface of the lake.
But, there was one episode, just a brief moment actually, when
the political climate of modern life interfered with the old fashion charm of
the island.
An obstruction stopped traffic on West Shore Drive and drivers were stopped
or slowed to a crawl. One bicyclist had
dismounted and was walking his bike past the obstruction.
The obstruction? A
mixed group of adults and youths, perhaps fifteen or eighteen individuals, sitting on the edge of the road; not the
shoulder or berm, but the edge of the roadway where people drive their vehicles
and ride their bikes.
A few, two or three, of the group were dressed in white
robes. Memories of chanting Hare Krishna
beggers came to mind. The rest of the
settled group were in ordinary summer togs.
Most of the drivers and passengers reacted to the stupidity
of the group with appropriate comments.
The best comment, not mine, was “these are Occupy Pelee protestors.”
Eventually, we started moving and progressed out of the
traffic jam. An OPP officer was driving
to the problem. OPP is Ontario Provincial Police.
By the time we returned to the protest ground zero, the
safety hazards were gone.
Idyllic life on Pelee
Island was restored.
North Shoe Road
is the preferred address on Pelee
Island. Glorious sunsets. Gentle breezes. Friendly neighbors. Indulgent hosts.
