All night, the frog song was interrupted by the clatter of helicopters, somewhere in the dark.
All day, the drone of aircraft provided background sound. The Heads of State for the G8 arrived at Deerhurst -- MP Tony Clement dutifully twittered each arrival, along with 'teasers', such as the 40 geese that paraded across the landing pad for the helicopter bringing POTUS; and the tid-bits that the UK's new PM Cameron went for a dip in Pen Lake, and Russian President Medvedev went out to dinner at a Huntsville restaurant Thursday. No word on which one... we have our suspicions.
There were police cruisers everywhere, but it was eerily calm. The local news radio reported that at the 'designated free speech area', every protestor had their own port-a-potty. In a field capable of standing room for 5000 people, 6 had showed up. There were small, friendly-enough protests on the main street, but the atmosphere from all reports was fairly festive.
On our side of the fenced area, it was even quieter. If you wanted action, you had to turn on the TV and watch the news out of Toronto, which is where the crowds seem to be. Good luck with that, Toronto...
We'd hoped to see the American helicopters pass overhead, but we're too far from their landing zone at Deerhurst for an overfly. Unless Pres. Obama is reading this Blog, and cares to direct them for a fly-by en route to the G20. We won't hold our breath.
We can still hear the planes, out there in the dark. Apparently, even something as huge as a G8 can't completely disrupt the beauty and tranquility of Muskoka.
Friends Marc and Margaret, who manage the Fairy Bay Guest House -- inside the Security Fence and right across the bay from Grandview -- drove out to pick up free-range eggs. Armed with their trusty G8 Green Passes, they sailed through the check-points.
I had to go to North Portage -- except for cruisers parked at every intersection, it was business as usual.
Tomorrow the leaders will take that final dip in the lake, and head to Toronto. It will be a different summit there, from all evidence to date. Perhaps it will make them long to be back here in the beauty that is Muskoka.
After all, Obama told Clement that it is lovely here, and next time he comes, he'll bring Michelle... To which all we can say is, Don't wait too long...
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