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Have you ever planned a family trip that completely flopped? I can remember clearly the largest bust our family ever had when it came to family vacations. My parents had decided we were going to just get in the car and drive to wherever our hearts desired. Apparently our hearts were a little conflicted because we drove around for hours along the Florida coastline, knit-picking place after place until we ended up only a two hour drive away from where we had started.
The next year I decided to take our summer vacation into my own hands (or at least, that’s how I remember it). With the help of my parents I planned what I considered the perfect vacation. Though I can’t remember the specific activities we planned, I do remember the place where we rented lodging – a quiet cabin in the woods.
It sounds like the scene of a horror movie, but for me it is a place of fond memories. That cabin provided us with the perfect amount of access for the activities we most wanted to do, which for us was horseback riding and eating good food.
The nostalgia this location provides me is the same feeling many have about Harbour Lights Marina and Bayfield River Cottage Colony & Marina, two neighboring businesses with the same purpose – to provide their guests with pleasant memories.
The Marinas
Bayfield River Cottage Colony & Marina is a relatively small space, offering 25 slips and ten cabins, while Harbour Lights Marina has a total of 260 slips. Though Harbour Lights has many more slips than Bayfield’s marina, transient boaters will need to act fast if they want to book a slip since they tend to go fast.
The marinas are becoming extremely popular with the locals because of its prime location on the Detroit River, proving perfect access for recreational boating and fishing. Trout fishing is especially popular on the river, and also on Lake Huron itself.
One of the Harbour Lights Marina’s most popular amenities is their swimming pool, closely followed by their tennis courts and laundry facilities, allowing boaters to enjoy their time onshore. There are also a host of places to visit in Bayfield, including small shops and restaurants. Some of the local favorites include The Dock Restaurant & Bar and the Black Dog Bistro.
Unique Access
Both marinas provide boaters with a calm respite from their travels, not just with the amenities it offers, but also with what is perhaps most important – its location. The marina is located on the north side of the Bayfield River, making it not just a fun spot to drop by, but also a convenient one.
“It’s sort of central, so for anyone who is traveling from Detroit to the North Channel it’s sort of at the halfway mark,” said Craig Neely, owner of both marinas. “So we get a lot of people stopping by on their way. Or going the other way, heading from the North Channel and coming back towards Detroit. Lately, we’ve actually had more Ohio transient boaters than we do Michiganites.”
The Cabins
The cabins at Bayfield River Cottage Colony & Marina are a nice place for boaters to escape without completely leaving the shores you came to visit behind.
“My wife and I have been managing the cabins for the past two summers,” added Neely. “It was my dad and his partner that owned it, then our family bought the partner out and now it’s totally family operated.”
Though the cabins are a recent addition to his responsibilities as owner of both facilities, Neely works to ensure they provide a great experience for both boaters and non-boaters alike. The cabins are a convenient way for boaters to provide lodging for guests when they don’t have enough room on the boat, but are also a cozy way for those who don’t boat to simply enjoy what is known as the Sun Coast of Lake Huron.
Book Your Trip
Whether you are looking to escape the confines of your boat, looking for somewhere quaint to pass some time, or simply looking for a relaxing location to rest, these two marinas have it all. So pack your bags and plan your trip, so that you don’t waste anytime getting to the perfect location.
For More Information:
Harbour Lights Marina
www.Harbourlightsmarina.on.ca
Bayfield River Cottage Colony & Marina
www.bayfieldrivercottages.ca
