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I was introduced to Tobermory, Canada about two years ago, and my life hasn\u2019t been quite the same since. <\/span><\/p>\n Ontario isn\u2019t known for its drastic landscapes, northern lights, or French accents like its relative territories of Quebec or Alberta. Ishpatina Ridge sits at the highest elevation inside its 415,000 square miles, a little hill slightly over 2,000 feet. Toronto dominates, and Niagara Falls attracts millions every year, but what\u2019s beyond the norm?<\/span><\/p>\n How about solidarity, towering cliffs, vast forests, and hundreds of miles of rocky shoreline. I\u2019m describing Tobermory, a small Great Lakes fishing town that reminds me more of Maine or Alaska. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A four hour drive north from the east Michigan border the Bruce Peninsula meets its jagged end. Georgian Bay accompanies the eastern coastline, while Lake Huron borders the west. There isn\u2019t a stoplight for miles and the skyline has no buildings, only the twists and turns of tall cliffs along its shore. There isn\u2019t much to do here if you\u2019re city folk, and that\u2019s the way locals like it. <\/span><\/p>\n On my first exploration to the peninsula, it was me and my boyfriend Josh. We had been together a solid two weeks before adventuring out of the country together. From the moment we met we traveled on spontaneous trips around the Midwest, so we had already become accustomed to each other on long car rides and random adventures. It was a Wednesday when we decided what we would be up to that weekend, and when Friday rolled around we were packed and ready to go. <\/span><\/p>\n Tobermory happens to be home to The Grotto, where freedivers get their fix by swimming under sixty foot cliffs in underwater tunnels that connect the hidden swimming hole with the Georgian Bay. Remember to bring goggles, because there is no superstore to pick up a cheap pair. You\u2019ll end up scavenging the entire town only to end up in a small grocery story purchasing two pairs of child size (ages 4-10 to be exact) plastic goggles, with them squeezing your head and filling with water approximately 30 seconds after you leave the surface. <\/span><\/p>\n I mean there is a way to get into The Grotto without diving in the underwater caves, but that\u2019s no fun, is it?<\/span><\/p>\n There are also great ways to scare your parents, wives, or boyfriends. Send them a photo of you jumping off a 40 foot cliff. They\u2019ll appreciate it. <\/span><\/p>\n Cliff jumping is a common activity around The Grotto. From 15 foot beginner leaps, to 70 foot walls of sheer rock faces. Start small and work your way up. Two jumps off the 70 footer were good for me, and I had fun explaining to my job on Monday why the entire left side of my body was bruised (totally worth it, though). I originally thought I wouldn\u2019t jump off the high face, until I saw one man take the leap completely naked. Game on. <\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019m just happy there\u2019s video proof, because I don\u2019t think anyone would believe me otherwise. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"4\"](\"https:\/\/img.shaleewanders.com\/2016\/04\/4.jpg\")
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