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Village Squire, 1977-06, Page 38E DAY TRIPPING. To Bayfield and back For more than a century it's been a part of summer to travel from the town of Clinton southwestward to the lakeshore village of Bayfield. Our day -trip this month followed that long-established trend, though it takes the roundabout route. We start in Clinton, at the crossroads of two of the busiest highways in the area: highway four heading north from London and Highway 8, west from Stratford to Goderich. The meeting of these two roads like the spokes of a wheel has given the town the name Hub of Huron Country. There are several small interesting shops in Clinton these days as well as the regular variety of small-town stores. In addition there are weekend attractions such as the new Farmers Market and the Sunday afternoon horseraces which will begin soon. We start at the main intersection and head • south. Just past the corner on Highway 4 is a large radar antenna, marking the fact that Clinton long was home to an air force base which trained men in the use of electronic skills such as the use of radar. It was at the Clinton base during the Second World War that much of the research into the use of radar took place, research that went a long way WA; .rd helping turn the tide against the German forces. Just past the big antenna a sign points the way to Bayfield. Turn right, then left again on Bayfield Rd. The road curves to the right and crosses the railway tracks just where the old CNR station once stood. The station was torn down a couple of years back after passenger travel on the railway was stopped. Just across the street from where the station used to sit (on your left before A forest of masts dominates the harbour at Bayfield. you cross the tracks) is an imposing frame building. Today it's an apartment building but it was originally one of the many hotels in Clinton and later served as a school of commerce. The county road which you're travelling on forms the boundary between Goderich township on your right and Stanley township on your left. It's a pretty piece of road as it leaves Clinton past several beautiful big homes, crosses under the narrow railway bridge, and flows over hills and around curves westward toward the lake. About five miles from Clinton you'll see the sign for the junction of County road 31 and the arrow pointing toward Varna. Take the left hand turn toward Varna. Here's a beautiful view of the valley from one of the highest points of land in the area. Several people have built homes in the area in the past few years to take advantage of that view. Take your first turn on the right and you're headed toward Bayfield again. You may get a glimpse on your left down the road a couple of miles of the manmade lake built by Stewart Middleton. In most. sections of the country this far inland thel land is flat but -here it's rolling giving many: interesting views. Many people are. building new houses along this road. because of the beautiful setting. As you travel on, you may see still some upturned trees and others with chopped -off tops, scars from a twister that went through the area in 1970 causing considerable damage. Farther still, you'll see the beautiful man-made lake of Mr. and Mrs. Frank DeJong on your right and their impressive farming operation spread out around the lake. As you draw closer to Bayfield the road enters a forested area, then curves to the 36, VILLAGE SQUIRE/JUNE 1977.