Magical Mermaid Place #2 - The steps of Lindau...

Nestled on Lake Constance, Lindau is a beautiful city for all mermaids to visit. Though not based on mermaids or on any of the lore it still remains a beautiful historic town with many mer-mazing sights to see and one of my favourite places to be. Wether I am wandering the old cobble stone roads or sitting at the docks I feel at home. We always wander along the break wall and find these stairs, the water is cool and crisp (not as cold as Superior though!) and glows the most brilliant shades of emerald and jade. To add to the royal colour scheme you often find swans gliding around, and for the most part they are docile. 

In the harbour there stands a towering lion statue and a light house, you are able to walk out to both these monument and take photos. When you do, stop and look back at the shore, I promise you won't regret it! If you are able to go during the summer months they run a ferry across the lake, it's a great way to see the area. 

  

Magical Mermaid Place # 1 - Mackenzie Falls

Directions - So says the internets

Mackenzie Falls is just north of Thunder Bay located in the municipality of Shuniah. This is the only waterfall in the Thunder Bay area that is deemed "safe to swim in/under". In order to get to the falls one must park at the old Mackenzie Inn and walk the back trail.This is where the fun starts. If you read the directions it will tell you to follow the dirt road to the gravel trail that leads under the bridge. There are 5 gravel trails leading off the dirt road.  

The first 2 will take you under the old highway bridge to a series of small cascading waterfalls, these ones are not considered safe to swim in. However, they do make for beautiful pictures. The second 2 will take you farther along a side hiking trail above the river. This trail ends with a steep and sudden drop off, so please, do be careful. The last trail leads directly to the previously stated drop off. Just incase you really wanted a short cut. 

The ACTUAL Directions

To successfully reach the falls (after parking at the Mackenzie Inn) is to follow the old dirt road all the way to the new highway. There is a skido/atv trail at the top of the hill, turn right and follow the trail as it goes under the divided highway. I suggest taking your time as when they did the blasting for the new highway they hit an amethyst vein and pieces can be found in the rubble. Go down the gravel incline under the bridges and take the path directly to the left of the last pillar. From here you follow along the riverbed, weaving into the woods and out to the rocks. You'll come across little streams that are easy to cross (and are super enchanting) as well asters with a vast tangling of roots that you must climb over. The hike is absolutely beautiful so take a camera. Eventually you will have to walk up the rock face to the falls. If you go all the way up you get a gorgeous birds eye view of the falls, but in order to swim you have to stay on he lower level and edge your way around to it.

Please note that access to the falls depends on how much run off there is. 

Please take all garbage that you bring with you. This is a beautiful area and should be kept that way.   

 

P.S. there are leaches, bring salt