It wasn’t originally part of my plan to visit Manitoulin Island. When I landed at my campsite in Espanola, which is about 50 kms from Manitoulin, I’d intended to stop over for a couple of nights, relax and get out for a short bike ride. The original plan was to get up early on the second morning and continue driving on to Sault Ste. Marie.

But something changed along the way. As I went about my routine on my first day in Espanola, something was tugging at me to go to Manitoulin, even if just for a day. I’d been there a few years back, coming in from Tobermory, and felt drawn to go back a second time. So I decided to wake up early the next morning, pack up Miss Daisy, and drive to Little Current, northernmost access town in Manitoulin and head off on my bicycle from there.

Manitoulin landscape

After arriving in Little Current and parking Miss Daisy at the local tourist info centre, I headed towards West Bay. As I rode along, I felt a peaceful serenity as the wind blew by, I caught glimpses of the rugged shoreline  along the North Channel and passed quaint farmers fields and cottages. I found it easy to get lost in silent thought as I made my way along.

As I approached the village of West Bay I saw a sign advertising a local artisan shop. It was in that moment that I realized. Realized what had brought me to Manitoulin.

I’d been wanting a dream catcher for Miss Daisy. I’d actually looked for one while in St. Jacob’s, where I found my “faith” pendant and chimes. Silly me, what better place to find a dream catcher than in the home of the Ojibway?

Wild daisies on Manitoulin

The Ojibway, also known as the “Faith Keepers”, are one of three tribes on Manitoulin. They believe that dreams have magical qualities – the ability to change or direct your path in life. The dream catcher (a woven, webbed circle with a hole in the centre) captures dreams as they float by. The good dreams slip through the center of the circle; the bad dreams become entangled in the webbing and perish in the light of day.

I’d really wanted a dream catcher for my home. To help me hang on to my dreams; to help me fulfill them. And perhaps to also filter the good energy from the bad in life. Maybe my dream catcher, made by the hands of an Ojibway, would also help me keep the faith, in those times when it may wane. I’m looking to create the life of my dreams and I’m not averse to asking for a hand from the mystical side of life. When you wish to live life from the heart, you do need to believe in things that you cannot see. You also need to go to listen to the tug of your heart when it calls. When it takes you places you hadn’t intended to go.

I bought my dream catcher in West Bay, at a lovely shop that sold a variety of crafts and hung it in Miss Daisy yesterday. Interestingly enough, last night I had a vivid bad dream, the first negative dream I’ve had in some time. And yet, as I thought about the meaning of that dream today, I found it easy to let go of the fears that were expressed within it. It was if they’d perished already…….

There might have been another reason for me to end up on Manitoulin yesterday, where I had a serendipitous meeting with one of my blog followers, Larry. I ran into Larry as I was cycling along one of the backroads on the island and he’d apparently taken to heart my comments the other day about non-conformity, in addition to realizing his own desire to follow his heart, to go for his dreams.

Larry, trying out life on the other side of the fence

When I came across Larry he’d just jumped the fence, from conformity to non-conformity, leaving behind the familiarity of a life and friends he’d known for some time. He was last seen heading down the road towards new and exciting pastures.

Larry, on the road to new pastures

Larry, you’re a fine role model for non-conformity and going for your dreams. Thank you for your example and reminder to us all. And just a tip Larry, you may wish to pick up a dream catcher on your way out of town.

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