tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19837656593185727112024-03-12T23:38:56.777-04:00Proppe's PaddlesJeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-9972680884571705762017-08-18T22:30:00.002-04:002017-08-18T22:34:38.362-04:00Returning to the Park<h1 class="park-heading" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 2.5em; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 22px 15px 15px 0px;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/algonquin" target="_blank">Algonquin Provincial Park</a></span></h1>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufVB5FPFJg0/WZeiqYhDYpI/AAAAAAAACro/Xy7Ej6BU4F4_no8TDiE548TglznYOT3IgCLcBGAs/s1600/artisan-paddle-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="960" height="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufVB5FPFJg0/WZeiqYhDYpI/AAAAAAAACro/Xy7Ej6BU4F4_no8TDiE548TglznYOT3IgCLcBGAs/s320/artisan-paddle-4.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The following is an excerpt from the Ontario Parks website about Algonquin Provincial Park. While it has been about a year since I have been in the park via car and almost 4 via my canoe, the description still resonates with me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Late summer and early fall has always been my favourite time in the park and I think 2017 will mark my return to this magical place.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">See you soon Algonquin!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The essence of Algonquin is in its vast interior of maple hills, rocky ridges, and thousands of lakes. The only way to explore the interior of this park is by canoe or on foot. There is also a second Algonquin - along the 56 kilometre stretch of Highway 60. Here you can enjoy camping at one of eight campgrounds, hike one of 14 trails, take part in extensive Natural Heritage Education programs, and visit Algonquin’s exceptional Visitor Centre, Logging Museum and Art Centre. For over 50 years, each Thursday in August, park staff have offered the “Public Wolf Howl”, a highly engaging program on wolf ecology that includes howling for wolves. Weather and wildlife dependent. </span></span><br />
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Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-35632026592454142242011-04-05T15:31:00.010-04:002011-04-05T18:52:08.379-04:00Seal meets girl. Seal falls in love with girl. The end.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbTfiIw1Unw/TZuY5RnDP2I/AAAAAAAACho/lay1gRFhbMg/s1600/spotted_seal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbTfiIw1Unw/TZuY5RnDP2I/AAAAAAAACho/lay1gRFhbMg/s200/spotted_seal.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>While the following clip is definately not from Algonquin, it is something that caused me to pause and reflect on after a rather busy and hectic day.<br />
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I honestly have no idea who took the orriginal footage, but doubt they would mind me sharing it on my blog, as I am not claiming to be the author, but rather someone that appreciates the innocence captured in the footage. <br />
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It's titled "Seal meets girl. Seal falls in love with girl. The end." For those interested, it was filmed in Gold Harbour in South Georgia, on November 29th, 2009. I came across it today using Stumble.<br />
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Nature and innocence never stoppes amazing me!<br />
<center><div style="text-align: auto;"><div style="text-align: auto;"><div style="text-align: auto;"><br />
</div></div></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/18479035" width="400"></iframe></center><center><a href="http://vimeo.com/18479035">Seal meets girl. Seal falls in love with girl. The end.</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5658922">Bob Dobalina</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</center>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-88081175477964390342011-03-24T19:36:00.000-04:002011-03-24T19:36:05.898-04:00Aurora Borealis Time Laps Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2g2AIhCeCAM/TYvSFTWFu8I/AAAAAAAAChg/7zMS9zqi55M/s1600/northern-lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2g2AIhCeCAM/TYvSFTWFu8I/AAAAAAAAChg/7zMS9zqi55M/s200/northern-lights.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Since my blogs inception I have posted a few time laps videos that I though my readers might be interested in. Each time, I've been asked to post more.<br />
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The following is a hauntingly beautiful display of the Aurora Borealis. Not only is the photography superb, but the music, "Now we are Free" from the Gladiator soundtrack is equally breath taking given the images it accompanies.<br />
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The video is by an artist by the name of <a href="http://vimeo.com/terjes">Terje Sorgerd</a> and was shot in and around Kirkenes and Pas National Park bordering Russia at 70 degrees north and 30 degrees east, where the temperature was a heart stopping -25 degrees Celsius. You can also get more information on Terje Sorgjers on his <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TSOPhotography">facebook page here.</a><br />
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I hope you enjoy; I know I did!<br />
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<center><iframe frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/21294655" width="400"></iframe><a href="http://vimeo.com/21294655"></a><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/21294655"></a><a href="http://vimeo.com/21294655">The Aurora</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/terjes"></a><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/terjes"></a><a href="http://vimeo.com/terjes">Terje Sorgjerd</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</center>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-71572845439100412082011-03-19T21:59:00.002-04:002011-03-19T22:03:54.392-04:00Canoes & Kayaks exempt from Commercial Vessel Registration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KuqiDx5TUx8/TYVZqaOsn0I/AAAAAAAAChM/vC8XVZe8aok/s1600/transport_canada_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="53" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KuqiDx5TUx8/TYVZqaOsn0I/AAAAAAAAChM/vC8XVZe8aok/s320/transport_canada_logo.png" width="320" /></a></div>While I really wasn't too concerned about the idea of registering my canoe with Transport Canada, it is good to see that organizations dedicated to the promotion of paddling in Canada don't have to worry about this either. You see, on March 17th, 2011 in Calgary, The Honourable Chuck Strahi, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, announced important changes to Transport Canada's small vessel registration requirements. <a href="http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/speeches-registration-6297.htm" target="_blank">The complete speech (yes there was a speech) regarding the announcement can be found here</a>. But in essence, no registrations are required. <br />
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My favourite quote is "My message today is for everyone looking forward to putting a canoe in the water this summer -dramatic pause - Just do it. There's been a lot of discussion on the web and in the news media about a requirement register canoes and kayaks. We want everyone planning canoe and kayak outings this summer to relax, make your plans, and forget the paperwork."<br />
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This exemption will apply to groups like Paddle Canada, the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides as well as summer camps and other paddle organizations.<br />
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I remember when I first heard about a possible new registration and ($50.00 fee) but was doubtful it would happen. (For those wondering, the topic came up around a camp fire in Algonquin a year or two ago as my memory recalls.) In any case I'm just glad that it seems to be off the table.<br />
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Additional information about which vessels still need to register (such as commercial river rafts) can be found on <a href="http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-2011-h027e-6303.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-22983215629867630572011-03-18T22:18:00.005-04:002011-03-19T22:00:59.610-04:00Sean Rowley Algonquin Park Photography Exhibit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6BLNQf_SJC4/TYQN8jYWTdI/AAAAAAAAChI/UNsmnNM52s4/s1600/Exhibition-Invitation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6BLNQf_SJC4/TYQN8jYWTdI/AAAAAAAAChI/UNsmnNM52s4/s400/Exhibition-Invitation.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>Sean Rowley, a camping friend of mine, is having some of his wonderful nature photographs from Algonquin Park on display at <a href="http://www.townofajax.com/Page670.aspx" target="_blank">The McLean Centre</a> in an exhibit titled "Algonquin Park: Where My Canoe Has Taken Me" from <a href="http://www.townofajax.com/Page2089.aspx" target="_blank">March 21st through to April 25th, 2011.</a> For those who have been reading my blog for a while will remember that Sean was the guy who travelled over 300km for a cup of my coffee in the park during a <a href="http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/2009/04/during-weekend-of-january-31st-to.html" target="_blank">winter trip</a> I was invited to go on a few winters ago. I suspect his motives were more photographic in nature though, as my camp coffee isn't really that good!<br />
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"This solo exhibit is a collection of photographs taken from various trips to Algonquin Park and reproduced on canvas as opposed to the traditional photographic paper. Landscapes, waterscapes, flora, fauna and beautiful sunrises and sunsets are all captured and on display for you."<br />
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While I am unsure if I will be attending the opening night reception that is going to be help on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011 from 7:00 - 9:30 pm, I will be visiting the exhibit to show my support to a friend and get a chance to see his work on display in a manner that I know he has wanted to show them in, for some while.<br />
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I've known Sean for a number of years and have been fortunate to meet up with him on several of his adventures. I wish him the best of luck and encourage my readers to check out the exhibit.<br />
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The McLean Centre is located at 95 Magill Drive in Ajax Ontario. <a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=mclean+centre+ajax&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=mclean+centre&hnear=Ajax,+ON&cid=0,0,9539859257531655850&z=16&iwloc=A" target="_blank">Directions can be found here.</a> More information on the Sean Rowley Photographic Exhibit can be found on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107382429342093" target="_blank">Sean's Facebook page.</a>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-2002660617516404652011-03-16T23:04:00.007-04:002011-03-18T22:23:18.740-04:00New Look<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t7uPDaVUP5k/TYJ7WMJomKI/AAAAAAAACek/kiuLVdSI2iA/s1600/under-construction-icon3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t7uPDaVUP5k/TYJ7WMJomKI/AAAAAAAACek/kiuLVdSI2iA/s200/under-construction-icon3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I've been blogging for a while now, and thought it was time for a new look. <a href="http://missingpiecexml.blogspot.com/2007/09/missing-piece-web-20-blogger-template_14.html" target="_blank">"The Missing Piece"</a> template I used when I first launched Proppe's Paddles was pretty cool a few years ago, but some how seemes a little busy in comparison to the newer "less is more" look some many major sites have adopted recently. As such I thought it was time for a change.<br />
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While I am not 100% sold on this new look, I do think I am heading in the right direction. I encourage any feedback on the new look, and look forward to refining it further over the coming months.<br />
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One new addition to the blog are "Pages" dedicated to single topics. While the first on titles "Trip Logs" is completed, it is my hope to also add <a href="http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/p/my-trip-logs.html" target="_blank">"Trip Photos"</a>, "Camping Companions" and a "Kids Corner" but all in good time!<br />
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Another new addition to the site that some may not like are ads. While I have left them out intentionally over the past few years, they are an ever growing part of the web. New controls let me customize ad content fairly specifically, and it is my hope that I might earn enough ad revenue to afford a few extra nights in the interior this summer. (Why do I think that is wishful thinking? Especially since park permits are rumored to be increasing again this year!)<br />
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FinallyI'm also adding more social networking opportunities throughout the site in the hopes of increasing my readership even more. I had over a million visits last year, and just over two-point five million since its inception and I'm hoping to get that number doubled this year alone.<br />
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So PLEASE spread the word, and let others know of the improvements already here, and still to come!Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-17389980211690687802011-03-15T18:11:00.002-04:002011-03-15T18:26:00.250-04:00Concerning commentsIm not an overly political man, or one who shoves my life in others face. As such, four years ago I started this blog, and have been surrounded by positive feedback and well wishes ever since. I get approximately 20 comments a week, and while I try to read them all, I am occasionally busy and simply screen them. In the four years people have been for the most part kind, but a few have sent me hate mail regarding my sexuality and the fact that my partner and I (of 18 years) have two adopted children.<br /><br />Again I am not going to get overtly political as my blog is about my love of the outdoors, canoeing, Algonquin Provincial Park, and the trips that I have taken, with friends, family and yes my children. Unfortunately I guess I missed a few hate messages, and recently was made aware of them by my oldest son, who in wanting to read what others thought of his Dad found the following comments.<br /><br />"Jeff<br />Read you bio in the side bar. Sorry the average man is not gay and certainly doesn't try to raise two kids in a gay household leaving the children lacking a maternal hand in guidance. eaching is a noble profession to be sure but spare me and the rest of America the normalization of homosexuality.<br />-Anonymous"<br /> <br />"I feel sorry for your kids having a gay father and all. No child should have to grow being surrounded with such immorality, they didn't ask to be in such an inviroment nor should you give them such<br />-Anonymous"<br /><br />I was devistated and tried my best to explain the world to my twelve year old, but I feel that I have some how let him down. All I wanted was to share and record some wonderful memories I have shared with my kids, and yet they have now been made to feel angry at the world for saying such things about our family. I know my son will be fine, and that he will come to understand the world we live in, and again Proppe's Paddles is NOT about politics but an activity that I have come to love.<br /><br />Am I doing the right thing in keeping this blog, or should I let it go, and record my memories in a less public forum? I had thought that as a society we had passed the point of such narrow views, but now I am not so sure. <br /><br />Advice please.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-69009392828908720992011-03-15T16:24:00.008-04:002011-03-17T20:02:34.832-04:00Time for the Annual Ice Out Lottery<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rdJxpcF0i0/TYKeYkxLPYI/AAAAAAAACe0/8kcTAY7Mgwg/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-03-17%2Bat%2B7.50.10%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rdJxpcF0i0/TYKeYkxLPYI/AAAAAAAACe0/8kcTAY7Mgwg/s320/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-03-17%2Bat%2B7.50.10%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a>I was e-mailed a notice that the annual <a href="http://www.canoelake.ca/iceout/">Canoe Lake Ice Out Page</a> was up and running and thought my readers might enjoy a look. Over the past few years cheering on the melting of the ice has become much anticipated late winter event, and one I plan on enjoying again this year. For the record my virtual money is on April 11th.<br />
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Jefferson Ridpath, the brainchild of this web site, offers an extensive amount of information regarding <a href="http://www.canoelake.ca/iceout/historical-ice-out-dates.html">historical ice out data</a> as well as his popular <a href="http://www.canoelake.ca/iceout/predictions-for-2011.html">ice out poll</a>. I hope Jefferson doesn't mind, but the following picture <a href="http://www.canoelake.ca/iceout/iceout-2002.html">(found on his 2002 edition of his site)</a> and exert <a href="http://www.canoelake.ca/iceout/">(from his 2011 edition)</a> have me thinking about paddling again already!<br />
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Happy melting!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CQzJ70BOStM/TYKg4S-nTTI/AAAAAAAACe8/8YmEb3vtq_w/s1600/telegram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CQzJ70BOStM/TYKg4S-nTTI/AAAAAAAACe8/8YmEb3vtq_w/s320/telegram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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"Is it March already?!? It must be, because I'm getting emails asking when the Official Canoe Lake Ice-out Poll begins :-)<br />
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Well, it begins now!<br />
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After last year -- the winter that wasn't, and an ice-out date to shatter all records -- we seem to be back to normal. It feels like I've been shoveling and scraping every morning since well before Xmas, and we're a week into March without much relief. We were up on Canoe Lake two weeks ago, just after the big February Thaw that we seem to get every year, and although there wasn't as much snow as usual, the ice looked clear and solid.<br />
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As always you can follow the action with updates, photos, rules, weather forecasts and archives of past years right here at the official Canoe Lake Ice-out website.<br />
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So, get your date before someone else does! You can submit it by e-mail to: iceout@canoelake.ca, and if you haven't already, be sure to sign up for the mailing list so you will be notified of important ice-out events, like, well, when the ice goes out ;-)"<br />
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I hope he doesn't mind, but the following picture (found on his site)Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-42057021644882231742010-10-28T17:30:00.001-04:002010-10-28T17:33:35.067-04:00This time-lapse montage will blow your mindIt might not be at Algonquin, but well worth a look. What ever you do stop! Stop your multitasking, your conference calling, and your SMS messaging for 2 minutes and 24 seconds, just long enough to enjoy this fantastic time-lapse montage from Mike Flores. It’s worth it.<br /><br />The video was shot with a Canon 5D MKII and various lenses, including the Canon 16-35mm f2.8 II, Canon 14mm f2.8 II, and Canon 24mm f1.4 II.<br /><br />Enjoy! I did!<br /><br /><center><object width="600" height="425"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=14352658&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=14352658&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/14352658">Timelapse Montage</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/mikeflores">Mike Flores</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p></center>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-7437430156572416992010-06-01T19:49:00.006-04:002011-03-17T12:29:39.161-04:00The Raven<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/TAWcr3u67QI/AAAAAAAACXg/cEKhKxuhpbE/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-06-01+at+7.48.51+PM.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 162px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/TAWcr3u67QI/AAAAAAAACXg/cEKhKxuhpbE/s320/Screen+shot+2010-06-01+at+7.48.51+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477956799275134210" /></a>For years I have headed north to visit one of my favourite "rest and relaxation" places, Algonquin, only to stop in at the permit office, pay my fees, collect my permit and chat one last time with someone from "civilization."<div><br /></div><div>As part of that ritual I would always pick up a copy of "<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; font-family:'Comic Sans MS', Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><em>The Raven</em> : Algonquin Park's Natural and Cultural History Digest"</span>; a publication put out several times a year in concert with the Friends of Algonquin. Starting this year, the Ravin is now available <a href="http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/programs.html">online for download</a>, so I don't have to wait till my next trip to the Park to read the many interesting and educational facts printed in this great publication.</div><div><br /></div><div>Any lover of Algonquin will surely enjoy the Raven. The following is an excerpt from their announcement about going digital, as seen on the <a href="http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/index.html">Official website of Algonquin</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy! I know I will! Don't worry though, the paper editions will still be available.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Comic Sans MS', Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; ">The Raven : Algonquin Park's Natural and Cultural History Digest</span></div><i><br />For the first 50 years, The Raven had two authors…Russ Rutter from 1960 to 1973 and Dan Strickland from 1974 to 2009.<br /><br />2010 represents a new era for The Raven…the new principal author will be Michael Runtz, a well-known Ontario naturalist, photographer and writer, with a strong connection to Algonquin Park.<br /><br />The Raven will have six issues a year – two in spring, two in summer, one in the fall, and one in the winter. This new schedule will allow us to update our visitors with timely seasonal information and safety messages.<br /><br />The Raven is available online [links to our 2010 issues below] and a limited number of complete sets of the previous year's Raven are available at the Visitor Centre or the main gates.</i><br /><a href="http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/programs/TheRaven2010/TheRaven1_2010.pdf"><i>• Vol. 51, No. 1 – April 22, 2010 –<br />The Devious Side of Algonquin's Spring Flowers by Michael Runtz</i></a><br /><a href="http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/programs/TheRaven2010/TheRaven2_2010.pdf"><i>• Vol. 51, No. 2 – May 20, 2010 –<br />Those Magnificent Moose and Their Flying Machines by Dan Strickland [originally printed April 25, 1985]</i></a><br /></span></div><br />Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-2217454637138288052010-03-29T20:21:00.006-04:002010-03-30T14:22:04.575-04:00The Friends of Algonquin Park Give Away<a href="http://foap.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=2010_entry_page"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/S7FEMjiepjI/AAAAAAAACXY/wPHaJg8VmNI/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-03-29+at+8.21.09+PM.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454215606211356210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/S7FEMjiepjI/AAAAAAAACXY/wPHaJg8VmNI/s400/Screen+shot+2010-03-29+at+8.21.09+PM.png" /></a>I have always been a supporter of The Friends of Algonquin and thought my readers would be interested in a give away they have going on right now! <div></a><br />The following is an excerpt from the contest site:</div><div><br /></div><div>"Right now, you can enter to win a day of fishing with Frank Kuiack, Algonquin Park’s legendary “Last Guide”, plus a two-night stay in the world famous Arowhon Pines Resort, and five mouth-watering meals, for you and a friend.<br /><br />Thank you for your ongoing support and good luck in this exciting Give-Away."</div><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://foap.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=2010_entry_page">Click here to enter.</a></div><div><a href="http://foap.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=2010_contest_rules">Click here for contest rules.</a></div><div><a href="http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/?cvridirect=true">Click here for The Friends of Algonquin web site.</a></div><div><a href="https://secure3.convio.net/foap/site/Donation2?df_id=1180&1180.donation=form1&s_oo=bu6CEYFADBEq_Iuw8yfcDg..&s_tlid=1886&JServSessionIdr004=6clif59sb2.app305b">Click here to donate the The Friends of Algonquin.</a></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-83062450954427308372010-03-28T18:29:00.003-04:002010-03-30T14:21:14.225-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/S6_YdbeGpwI/AAAAAAAACXQ/9351cxqkXPw/s1600/IMG_5575.JPG.jpeg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453815673870788354" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/S6_YdbeGpwI/AAAAAAAACXQ/9351cxqkXPw/s320/IMG_5575.JPG.jpeg" /></a>Over this past March Break my mother and two sons (each with a friend) spent five days at the cottage enjoying a very early Spring. <div><br /></div><div>While our trip was originally planned to last three days, the weather was just too good to return to the city, and so my oldest son, his friend and I extended our stay by two additional days, while my youngest son and his friend returned home to have some special time with my mother.</div><div><br /></div><div>During the last two nights of our stay we were joined by an <a href="http://www.algonquinadventures.com/">Algonquin Adventurer's</a> friend of mine; Mark Rubino, of <a href="http://www.markinthepark.com/index.htm">Mark's Algonquin Sampler</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>In all we spent two full days in Algonquin, and visited the <a href="http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/mustrails/daytrails.html">Spruce Bog Trail</a>, the <a href="http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/mustrails/museums.html">Visitor's Centre</a> and the <a href="http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/mustrails/daytrails.html">Track and Tower Trail</a>. The snow and ice was quickly melting, and I imagine that many lakes will be open by mid. April this year. The following are some photos from our stay.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="WHITE-SPACE: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2pxfont-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:xx-small;" class="Apple-style-span" ><embed height="400" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="600" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjeff.proppe%2Falbumid%2F5453813136495427153%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US"></embed></span></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-55267090143894419832010-03-23T20:04:00.004-04:002010-03-30T14:19:42.936-04:00Grady's Run- Canoe and Kayak down the Magnetewan River for SickKids<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/S6lXW_JuwOI/AAAAAAAACQ0/14LBJDMs10A/s1600-h/contactGrady.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 201px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451984876329681122" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/S6lXW_JuwOI/AAAAAAAACQ0/14LBJDMs10A/s320/contactGrady.jpg" /></a>I was recently contacted by a reader and given information about an event that as a father and a canoeist immediately captured my heart. I think others would be interested in participating in, if not donating to, and so as requested I offer this humble "blog advertisement" in support of little Grady and the brave family he left behind. <div><br /></div><div>To my utter surprise Proppe's Paddles consistently ranks around 350th place in terms of Blogs tracked by <a href="http://tracker.icerocket.com/project.info.php?pid=12944&rid=pbl">Blog Tracker</a>, which equates to daily hits of between 300 and 600. With that in mind I am confident that a few readers will consider making a donation, if not participating in the <a href="http://www.gradysgift.ca/html/fundraising.htm">Grady's Run - Canoe and Kayak down the Magnetewan River for SickKids.</a><br /><div><br /></div><div>While I am currently unsure where I will be, let alone what I will I be doing on July 10th, I have marked the date on my calendar and hope to attend. Either way my thoughts will be with Grady and his family on July 10th and I will be saying a little prayer for the little guy, whether I am able to attend or not.</div><div><br /></div><div>The following is a copy of the e-mail I received:</div><div><br /></div><div><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>Hello Jeff,</i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; MIN-HEIGHT: 20px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i><br /></i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>Since your blog reaches paddling enthusiasts in Ontario and beyond, I </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>am seeking your help in spreading the word about a paddling event that </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>promises to be a great day on the water while raising funds for an </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>important cause.</i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; MIN-HEIGHT: 20px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i><br /></i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>Paddlers are invited to join Grady's Paddle for SickKids as we canoe or </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>kayak from the town of Burk's Falls, down the flat water of the </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>Magnetawan River and across Lake Ceceebe, to the village of Magnetawan. </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>The route is 32km (there will also be a 21km route for beginners) and </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>passes through some beautiful scenery just north of Muskoka.</i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; MIN-HEIGHT: 20px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i><br /></i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>The event takes place on July 10th and will be supported on the water </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>and along the shore, including free transport from the finish back to </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>the start for paddlers as well as their watercraft. Canoe and kayak </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>rentals are available from local outfitters (many at a deep discount) </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>for those who don't have their own. There will be food, entertainment </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>and great prizes at the end of the route. Many paddling and outdoor </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>industry members have been very generous with prizes and support. The </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>grand prize --a 14' Sanarac sport kayak from Swift Canoe-- will be </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>awarded to the participant who collects the most pledges over $1,000.</i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; MIN-HEIGHT: 20px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i><br /></i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>Paddlers are asked to register and collect pledges in support of </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>SickKids Hospital Critical Care Unit. Grady's Paddle for SickKids is </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>sanctioned by SickKids Foundation and tax receipts will be issued for </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>donations over $20.</i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; MIN-HEIGHT: 20px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i><br /></i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>The event was conceived and is being organized by my friend, Judy </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>Dibben, in memory of her grandson, Grady King, who died at 6 months old </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>due to a congenital heart defect. Grady's family learned first hand of </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>the care given by the team at SickKids, and are committed to supporting </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>their further efforts. Your help in supporting this event will be </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>deeply appreciated.</i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; MIN-HEIGHT: 20px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i><br /></i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>We ask you to spread the word among your network of readers in the </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>hopes that some of them will be interested in participating. Anyone is </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>also welcome to support the event with prize donations. Tax receipts </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>will be issued for the full retail value of prizes over $20 value </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>(please supply receipt with prize).</i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; MIN-HEIGHT: 20px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i><br /></i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>And of course, you're also invited to put your own canoe or kayak in </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>the water and join us for a great paddle and a fun day!</i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; MIN-HEIGHT: 20px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i><br /></i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>For more information about Grady's Paddle for SickKids and Grady's </i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>story, please visit:</i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'color:#223cfb;" ><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><i>http://www.gradysgift.ca/html/fundraising.htm</i></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; MIN-HEIGHT: 20px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i><br /></i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>Thank you for your time, and for any support you can offer.</i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>Kind regards,</i></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 18px 'Abadi Condensed Light'"><i>Jackie Leung</i></p></div></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-12783469504774190972010-03-15T15:20:00.003-04:002010-03-30T14:21:42.854-04:00Summer of 2010 Trip Plans<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/S56JoF5WVDI/AAAAAAAACQc/rMqQZvcZVvI/s1600-h/trip+map.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 168px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448943921035367474" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/S56JoF5WVDI/AAAAAAAACQc/rMqQZvcZVvI/s320/trip+map.jpg" /></a>Well, with the <a href="http://www.canoelake.ca/iceout/">Canoe Lake "ice out lottery"</a> well in effect, all the snow and ice gone in Toronto, and the first of my Crocuses in bloom, I figured it was time to start planning at least one of my park trips for the 2010 Canoeing Season. <div><br /></div><div>Having spent a fair amount of time in the parks east end last year, I thought I would spend a bit of time traveling some of the smaller lakes off from access 3, as I have heard so much about them. (Adding to the fact that I love access 3, makes it a logical place to plan a trip from.)</div><div><br /></div><div>This year I am planning a 6 day trip out of Magnatawan, and am planning the following route:</div><div><br /></div><div>Day 1: Magnatawan - Hambone - Daisy</div><div>Day 2: Daisy - Petawawa River - Little Misty<span style="COLOR: rgb(0,51,0);font-family:Times, serif;font-size:medium;" class="Apple-style-span" ><a name="1"></a> <center style="DISPLAY: inline !important"><a name="1"></a><center style="DISPLAY: inline !important"><a name="1"></a><center style="DISPLAY: inline !important"><a name="1"><center style="DISPLAY: inline !important"></center></a></center></center></center></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span">Day 3: Little Misty - Queer (2 night stay)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span">Day 5: Queer - Little Trout - Ralph Bice (2 night stay)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span">Day 7: Ralph Bice - Hambone - Magnetawan - Out</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span">This will be my first 7 day trip in the park, and while I am contemplating doing it solo, I'd rather do it with a partner, so as to single carry all the portages. I'm already re-evaluating some of my gear, and planning on going ultra light this season, limiting all my gear to a single <a href="http://www.eurekatentscanada.com/products/view/268">Eureka SS115 Canoe Pack</a> (I currently use the SS 75, but need a second pack for food) if solo, or my SS75, if I'm with a partner.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span">To help lighten the load on food, I'm planning on getting a dehydrator this March Break, and will start getting my meals together soon (what better way to "speed up" time then with food.)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span">In the mean time, I welcome suggestions/thought/past experiences/photos about my plans, and ask the following questions:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span">1. Should I do the loop in my planned direction, or the opposite?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span">2. Is Queer Lake worth 2 days?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span">3. How is the Little Misty - Queer P2435? (To date my longest portage was a P1500 of which I double carried, and hence my desire to lighten my load this year with a P2435.)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span">Thanks for any input, and heres to an early <a href="http://www.canoelake.ca/iceout/">ice out</a>, for I will once again be attending , the AA Rock Lake "Opener" in April, and will write about those details as soon as the solidify!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px" class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-15282970695195761962009-11-16T18:20:00.008-05:002009-11-16T19:00:11.201-05:00FANTASTIC Photo/Video Trip Log<object width="500" height="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7480051&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7480051&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="500" height="400"></embed></object><br /><br />As an avid reader, I have seen, read and enjoyed many, different trip logs over the years. Today I was directed to one by a fellow Algonquin Adventure's member and writer of <a href="http://teampickle.co.uk/2009/09/25/paddling-in-algonquin-park-canada-2009/">Team Pickle</a>, <a href='mailto:" patrickbird@gmail.com "'>Patrick Bird</a> and all I can say is WOW; a MUST Algonquin see! The following is an exert from his site.<br /><br /><a href="http://maiamedia.co.uk/2009/11/algonquin-park-photomotion-adventure/ ">"Back from our 17 day Canadian Adventure paddling & camping in Algonquin Park. It was most definately more of an endurance test than either of us had expected but very rewarding. In brief we saw 4 moose, got bitten by enormous mosquitos, ate too much sausage, completed 27 portages, stayed 3 nights in a scary death cabin, saw bear and wolf prints, caught fish and toasted 3 bags of marshmellows!<br /><br />All footage has been taken using a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. The footage is a combination of photographs and video footage." </a><br /><br />My old Canon digital camera doesn't have a photomotion option; one more reason to get a new one I guess. (Like I needed another reason!)Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-66316632410031443942009-08-21T11:39:00.004-04:002009-08-21T11:57:38.720-04:00Todie's Wild Ride: Watch the Weather<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/So7CwjmgzoI/AAAAAAAACPw/-TCGFzx-AFc/s1600-h/86e13f8a-e489-4d24-942c-72b234f14a08.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/So7CwjmgzoI/AAAAAAAACPw/-TCGFzx-AFc/s320/86e13f8a-e489-4d24-942c-72b234f14a08.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372445544945864322" /></a>This summer has been a busy one, and as such I haven't had much time to blog. For my readers I apologize, but offer the following heart felt story for you to read. I came across it after picking up a Geocoin named <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?guid=400c5ed1-e80d-418f-88a1-8868e8ee5a82">Todie's Wild Ride: Watch the Weather</a> during an afternoon of Geocaching with my kids last week (ironically it was on one of the first GREAT weather days of this summer.)<br /><br />You see .....<br /><br />"Tod was taken from us on Aug 12th, 2008 when a careless driver pulled into the lane Tod was riding his motorcycle in. Tod braked hard to avoid the truck, which stopped before crossing fully into Tod's lane, the bike went into a skid. When Tod missed the truck, we surmise that he released the brake, sealing his doom. The bike high-sided, flipping 3 times before coming to a rest at the side of the road, Tod never let go.However, Tod's head hit the pavement, killing Tod instantly. Tod never had a chance since he wasn't wearing a DOT approved helmet (he wore a novelty helmet, much like a batting helmet in thickness), this is why I believe wholeheartedly in helmets! Please teach your young to wear a helmet and PLEASE wear one yourselves!<br /><br />Mayonnaise Jar & Two Beers...<br /><br />When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.' The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.. 'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18.. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand. One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.<br /><br />Please share this with someone you care about. I JUST DID!<br /><br />LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS.... ...IT'S LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN"<br /><br />I don't normally pass on such messages, especially if they are "spammed" to me, however I found this one, and was moved by the story. It has rained A LOT this summer, and yet as a result of coming across this little Geocoin, I've looked at the rain a little differently.<br /><br />I never met Tod, but hope he is resting in peace, and that his legacy lives on.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-57692085596186453222009-06-09T09:32:00.006-04:002009-06-09T10:45:36.657-04:00Geocaching<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/Si5kii3HbiI/AAAAAAAAB_w/YqDU8sJ_PkI/s1600-h/wefoundit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345320352371666466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/Si5kii3HbiI/AAAAAAAAB_w/YqDU8sJ_PkI/s320/wefoundit.jpg" border="0" /></a>With spring here, and having returned to the Park twice already this spring, I have found myself wanting to be outside more, enjoying the freedom that comes from being outside. June is not the best month to be in the Park, as bugs are king supreme, and so I have been spending my free time exploring some of the local outdoor spaces that surround my neighborhood.<br /><br />Being a techno geek, and the proud owner of an <a href="http://www.apple.com/ca/iphone/">iPhone 3G</a>, I wanted to incorporate these two loves of mine, and discovered a fantastic application for the iPhone called <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/iphone/">Geocaching, by Groundspeak</a>. Wow, for $9.99, I have entered a global treasure hunting community that has literally hundreds of thousands of hidden “treasures” and “hide and seek” type games scattered around the world, all based on a now widely available and highly accurate tool, GPS (of which my iPhone has built in). Fortunately for me, my neighborhood seems to have a thriving Geocaching community, as there are literally hundreds of spots to hunt out within but a few kilometers from my home (the closest was a short 10 minute walk away from my front door!)<br /><br />There are many <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/about/cache_types.aspx">types of caches</a>. Some caches are of a “multi-stage” nature, as they are part of a “series” where you find one cashe which contains a clue to the next, and inevitably the “treasure” (sort of like a mini <a href="http://www.danbrown.com/">Dan Brown</a> “The Da Vinci Code”, or “ANGELS & DEMONS” hunt, only with out all the branding.) Others are single stage ones where treasures can be exchanged after a single find (hence never leaving an empty “treasure chest.”) In either case, once found participants can sign a physical log book found with the cache as well as a vertual one online at <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/">Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site.<br /></a><br />To date my kids and I have found two caches out of four attempts (one hint in a “multi-stage cache, and one cache in a single stage trek), and have ended up enjoying the “hunt” probably more then the “treasure.”<br /><br />What’s really fantastic about the sport is that it brings people to places that they might never have seen otherwise. I hadn’t really noticed all the green space in my area outside the obvious Credit River Conservation Area (a few short blocks from my home and containing over 20 cashes yet to find,) and so now “nature” seems to have moved closer to home!<br /><br />What is also interesting about the pass time is that anyone can create their own cache for others to participate in, something my kids are eager to create this summer. As well, participants can track special objects called “Travelers” or “Geocions” that participants can pick up and drop off at caches they visit, recording their movements on the web, for all to see. After a quick scan of some of the travelers in my area, I was amazed by the distances some of these objects have covered, and will likely get a few for me and the kids to track as well.<br /><br />Like I said earlier, Caches are located all over the world, including <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?lat=45.5527575&lng=-78.6088365&dist=50">Algonquin Park</a>, and so during our next visit to the park and or cottage, the boys and I have decided to hunt a few out, as several are located along the various hiking trails off the highway 60 corridor; talk about adding suspense to a hike! A map of <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/map/default.aspx?lat=45.55276&lng=-78.60884">Algonquin Geocaches can be found here</a>.<br /><br />For anyone who has not tried Geocaching, I would highly recommend it! It gives you yet another reason to get out and enjoy the outdoors is engaging to adults and kids alike, and to be honest is simply lots of fun!<br /><br />For those already partaking in Geocaching, I'd love to hear about some of the hunts you have taken; especially ones in Algonquin.<br /><br />Happy hunting!<br /><br /><br /></p>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-5001312550856613042009-04-21T10:46:00.008-04:002009-04-22T19:37:28.277-04:00Getting warmer!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/Se3c3noxNxI/AAAAAAAAB_o/y91iJ_hCp6Y/s1600-h/weatherforcast.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327156782340060946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/Se3c3noxNxI/AAAAAAAAB_o/y91iJ_hCp6Y/s320/weatherforcast.jpg" border="0" /></a>Well things in the <a href="http://www.theweathernetwork.com/index.php?product=parksfx&parkcode=CAON1527&wbRef=algonquintrips.blogspot.com&link=cityPage&ref=btn234_city">weather</a> seem to be heating up this week in Algonquin, leaving me to remain hopefull that my second annual <a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/352882/thread/1234634586/last-1240317471/SPRING+2009+GET+TOGETHER">"Algonguin Adventures Park Opener"</a> trip to Rose Island on Rock Lake will go ahead as last year, rather then being frozen in at the Rock Lake Campground.<br /><br />So far indications are mixed, but I have a feeling that while ice may still be floating around the waters of Rock Lake, that Rose Island will be accessible by canoe.<br /><br />Like <a href="http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/2008/04/algonquin-adventures-park-opener-rock.html">last year</a> I will be meeting up with several members of Algonquin Adventures, only this year I won't be the "Newby" any more, and look forward to passing on the title to any new folks that decide to join us.<br /><br />My plan is to arrive at the park as early as possible on Friday, staying until the last possible moment on Sunday.<br /><br />Here's hoping the heating keeps up!<br /><br />For those interested, below is a list of sites that have been discussing the ice conditions of the park as of late.<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/spring_accessICEsafety.html">Friend's of Algonquin Spring Roads report</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.canoelake.ca/iceout/">Canoe Lake Ice Out</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.theweathernetwork.com/index.php?product=parksfx&parkcode=CAON1527&wbRef=algonquintrips.blogspot.com&link=cityPage&ref=btn234_city">The Weather Network</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/352882/thread/1234634586/last-1240317471/SPRING+2009+GET+TOGETHER">Algonquin Adventures Opener Thread</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://algonquinoutfitters.blogspot.com/2009/04/few-pictures-from-today.html">Algonquin Outfitters Web Log</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/modis.cgi/modis?region=g&page=1">Coast Watch Space Images of Park Area (updated several times a day)</a></li></ul>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-33234685992235895312009-04-14T21:00:00.022-04:002011-03-17T18:32:05.884-04:00Fork Lake Winter Camping Trip<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAQ9hjcDtI/AAAAAAAAB58/CfipBZ9aaAk/s1600-h/P1010003.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318769809089629906" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAQ9hjcDtI/AAAAAAAAB58/CfipBZ9aaAk/s320/P1010003.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">During the weekend of January 31st to February 2, 2009 I was invited to join Markus of </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.markinthepark.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Mark in The Park</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d1e9a3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Mike B of </span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.algonquinadventures.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Algonquin Adventures</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> and Jeffrey M of </span></span><a href="http://homepage.mac.com/canoecamping/map/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">the best Algonquin Map in the world</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> on a two-night trip to Fork Lake, accessing via the Visitors Centre of Algonquin Park. To say I was excited and honored to be included was an understatement, and instantly accepted the invitation. </span></span></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Like most of my interior trips I headed to my cottage the night before the trip, so as to get a goon nights sleep prior to starting the adventure. As well, like many of my trips to the park, I picked Jeffrey M, who was also partaking on the journey. It was nice to see Jeffrey again, for the drive up offered us time to chat and catch up since our last trip to the park (which incidentally was just two weeks prior.)</span></span></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
The drive up was rather uneventful, and took about 3.5 hours in total. We experienced some gusty winds, some snowy patches along the way, and temperatures in the minus 25 degree range. Normally such conditions would have me a bit worried about camping in the interior, but this weekend would be different, as we were going to be staying warm ala Markus’s military style hot tent.</span></span></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
It was an early evening that night, and by midnight I was off to bed. The next morning we awoke at around 7:00 am, giving us plenty of time to wake, clean up, load up our gear, have breakfast and make the 45-minute drive from the cottage to the Park's West Gate, where we were to meet up with Markus and Mike B by 8:30am. Everything was going as planned, and we were out the door by 7:45am. For those who haven't read my blog before, to access my cottage one must take a privately maintained, hilly and rather curvy road into the forest, for a good 15 km off highway 11. While freshly plowed, the road was like ice, and as Murphy's Law would have it, we made it all the way to within 4 feet of the "last tricky spot" where my car lost all momentum, and began to slide backwards.</span></span></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
While the reverse sliding was slow, within 5 seconds the car had slid and twisted perfectly perpendicular to the road with my front end gently pressed into one side of the road's snow bank, and my car's rear in the other. "S#%t" I thought, "We'll never make it now!!!" Luck was on our side however, for while perfectly blocking the road, we were stuck in a portion of the road that was on a rather steep hill. With the roads incline in our favor, and not being too badly packed into any snow bank, I asked Jeffrey to give us a push in the front, seeing if the combination of his push and the engines throttle, might be enough to squeeze the car out of its predicament. Who would of thought, but on the first try we managed to twist the car around 180 degrees from our original path of travel. This enabled us to backtrack driving forward to the previous fork in the road (a drive of a few kilometers), turn around and give the drive a second attempt at getting out; to which we did with no problem at all.... I guess practice does make perfect.</span></span></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Man not only were we lucky to be out of a very sticky situation, but we were only delayed by about 30 minutes. This meant for a very fast breakfast at McDonalds, oh how I love McD's "Egg McMuffins," one of my little guilty pleasures in life. By 9:15 we arrived of the Park's West Gate, to acquire our permits. We learned from Kevin, the attendant on duty that Markus and Mike had come and gone, but knowing their plan we carried on into the park. Another 30 minutes passed, and we were at the Visitor Centre's parking lot, and as luck would have it Markus and Mike were just about to head out. Wow ... we made it!!!</span></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d;"> Markus and Mike loading up.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAScS5G1UI/AAAAAAAAB6E/17KazXruFsM/s1600-h/P1010002.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span></span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAScS5G1UI/AAAAAAAAB6E/17KazXruFsM/s1600-h/P1010002.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318771437241554242" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAScS5G1UI/AAAAAAAAB6E/17KazXruFsM/s320/P1010002.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">In about 20 minutes, Jeffrey and I had our sleds packed, winter clothing on and were ready to hit the interior. Our journey would take us up a short hill by the South Parking lot of the Visitor's Centre, and then across an open field, which I suspect is the septic tank field for the Visitor's Centre. After a few steps we all knew we would be in for a hard pull though, for the snow was well over 3 feet deep, and very fluffy.</span></span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d;">Markus and Me heading to the top of our first hill.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318772244980120786" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdATLT8_PNI/AAAAAAAAB6M/pZAvqYTmxBM/s320/P1010015.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After a short trek we reached the top of the large hill that gives the Visitor Centre's observation deck its a magnificent view, and started to make our way down the steep decline. For the first part of the journey down, Markus took the lead and about mid way down I took over as trail breaker and lead our party down the second portion of the hill. While tricky to maneuver, gravity was on our side, and I made it down with little problems. Unfortunately, it was as I reached the bottom that my first mishap would occur. You see, at the bottom of the hill were several fallen trees. Unfortunately due to the very deep snow the trees had been completely buried, leading me to believe that I would be walking over fairly even and flat ground. Wrong! Within seconds of my foot reaching what I thought was safe ground, I realized I was landing on what turned out to be a "sink hole" in between the trees, and I dropped about 3 feet into some very deep and fresh snow, landing flat on my back. While I was uninjured, it did take a lot of effort to get out, especially as my sled had followed me in.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Me in the Hammock!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318773897068379842" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAUredhfsI/AAAAAAAAB6U/X_3ykutdW9Y/s320/P1010037.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Markus was next to follow, and he too got sucked into the hole. His landing was a bit more gracious then mine though, and seeing him in the snow reminded me of a man lazing in a hammock, and so our first obstacle was named "The Hammock". Jeffrey and Mike followed soon after, and with a good team effort, we got all the sleds through, even though I believe each of us got to "rest" in the hammock at least once.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
<br />
</span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Mike and Me getting his (very heavy sled) over the hammock....</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318774470857022834" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAVM3_ZXXI/AAAAAAAAB6c/1T09ThuULZY/s320/P1010033.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Having reached the bottom of the hill and having passed over the hammock, we started our trek through the boggy region east of Fork Lake, which would bring us towards the shore of Fork Lake, and hence to our campsite in the marshy region separating Fork and Norway Lakes. After about 100 feet we knew the snow was too much for breaking a trail while pulling a sled, and so Markus and Mike left their sleds to break the trail to our site, while Jeffrey and I pulled our sleds to further pack down the trail; a good call Mark & Mike!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Markus contemplating our next move.</span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAWuQyfP3I/AAAAAAAAB6k/7AVFn9fjrPQ/s1600-h/P1010041.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318776143961079666" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAWuQyfP3I/AAAAAAAAB6k/7AVFn9fjrPQ/s320/P1010041.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Once at camp Jeffrey and I started digging the foundation for our hot tent, while Markus and Mike returned for the remaining two sleds. Feeling guilty though, Jeffrey and I ended up meeting Mike and Markus mid way back, offering some help in getting the rest of the gear to camp. Upon getting all our gear to camp, and having a chance to catch our breaths (what was originally planned to be an hour hike, turned into a three hour one) we began the task of setting up camp. With a great team effort, the hot tent was up in about 30 minutes, the stove started up, and about an hour later we had a good supply of cut wood for the stove, the burs for the tent floor in place, and our bedding set up. In short, it was time for a drink!</span><br />
<div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Our "Home Away From Home."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318777135810744962" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAXn_t4EoI/AAAAAAAAB6s/pZeI1kqVYN4/s320/P1010090.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By this time, while exhausted from all the hard work, I got caught up in the reality of being back in the park, only this time winter camping in a hot tent, which left me feeling like one of the luckiest people alive. The setting was so magical, so vivid and in so many ways so wild. In fact, during that weekend, while the temperatures would drop to about minus 30 that night, at no time did I ever feel cold, or for that matter "really tired" as the beauty of my surroundings was so aww inspiring, and hence so energizing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After a few beverages and some great chat, dinner was started, and we enjoyed the first of what would be a weekend of excellent meals. Our first nights dinner menu was Markus's homemade chilly which went down wonderfully. After a few more beverages, photos, stories and chat, it was off to bed, and by 11:00pm that evening we were all fast asleep. For the record, prior to bed time the hot tent reached temperatures in the mid 30's or approximately 55 degrees warmer then that of the outside. WOW the heat you can generate with such a small stove.<br />
</span><br />
<div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Small but mighty!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318777136144246386" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAXoA9Y5nI/AAAAAAAAB60/0vIb8sv9T5k/s320/P1010092.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The following morning, the fire had completely died out. Interestingly enough, while the temperature inside the tent had dropped considerable it had not dropped below about 8 degrees, while outside it was a cold minus 30, that evening. The following morning we were all up relatively early, with Mike being the first to awake; Mike also braved the cold and got the wood stove going again in the morning, so a warm thank you to Mike for that! That morning we also enjoyed some fantastic homemade cooking in the form of some egg/spinach patties and pre-cooked pea meal bacon on English muffins that Mike's wife Laurie had made for us (all we had to do was heat them up); I still have to get the recipe off you Mike (or I guess Laurie) for they were excellent and again Laurie thank you!</span></div><div align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After breakfast we were off for a day of trekking around Fork Lake. Our journey took us across Fork Lake to the lakes lone island campsite. This was followed by an excursion to some frozen waterfalls on the lakes north shore, followed by a fantastic "lake-side lunch" of freshly cooked sausages and buns, near the Fork Lake-Jean Lake 335 portage, again curtsy of Mike. In all we spent bout 6 hours out exploring the lake, and even got to see some fresh moose tracks crossing portions of the lake in and out of the neighboring forest of the lakes south shore. While slushy at times, making for a few scary ice crossing moments, the ice was very thick and covered by at least a foot of fresh loose powder over top. Since the moose were able to cross, we figured it was safe for us to do the same. </span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Ice Falls</span><br />
</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAcffTUSiI/AAAAAAAAB7k/meffIU6mGu4/s1600-h/P1010050.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318782487228598818" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAcffTUSiI/AAAAAAAAB7k/meffIU6mGu4/s320/P1010050.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Upon returning to camp we discovered that Sean of North Bay and J-Wolf, both from Algonquin Adventures had shown up to join us. While J-Wolf was only popping in for a brief visit, Sean was cold camping it on a plateau that adjoined our campsite. It was great to meet and put a face to J-Wolf, if only for a brief visit, and I only hopped his hike up the cliffs to the Visitor's Centre wasn't as difficult as the hike down (I later learned it was.)<br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">J-Wolf visits.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAdQUfFkTI/AAAAAAAAB7s/-_ayZP45eO4/s1600-h/100_0780.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318783326138765618" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAdQUfFkTI/AAAAAAAAB7s/-_ayZP45eO4/s320/100_0780.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Later that evening we all went and visited Shawn of North Bay at his campsite to see his cold camp set up. Man is he efficient in the woods, for he had a fantastic wood supply accumulated, he had set up his tent and sleeping gear arranged, he had a warm fire going, and was getting ready for dinner. We chatted a while, and then invited him back to our camp for dinner, to which he declined. Getting hungry, we returned to our cooking, and stayed warm in the hot tent. Later that evening I went back to check on him, and again offer him some warmth and a dinner, but he was already set for the night, so we chatted a bit longer, and then I returned to our tent for the night. </span><br />
<div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Shawn's Place.</span><br />
</span></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318783334730995954" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAdQ0fomPI/AAAAAAAAB70/qpsIOTRHjfc/s320/100_0776.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After dinner, an excellent beef and venison stew, the four of us enjoyed a few more drinks, and then were off to sleep by around 11:00pm. That night the weather was considerably warmer, and so the tent remained very hot that night, with the temperature reaching a high of plus 30 at one point that night. Prior to bed though we made what I believe was an Algonquin Adventurers first, for you see we posted a "hello" from our tent to the outside world via my iPhone in a </span><a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/352882/thread/1232849387/last-1233600776/Fork+Lake+Weekend+-+Jan+30-Feb.1-Day-tripper+Visitors"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">thread on Algonguin Adventurers forum.</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The next morning Mike was up at a very early 3:00 am, while the rest of us "slept in" until nearly 9:00am. Today's breakfast was Jeffrey M and my responsible for providing to the group. (A very fair trade, considering how well we had eaten so far that weekend.) So after a bit of fumbling we got some freshly pressed coffee server with Baileys out to everyone, while we cooked some fresh bacon and heated some beagles for us to enjoy for our last meal at our camp. It was as we were enjoying our morning coffee that Sean of Ajax made his way to camp, as he had decided to join us for the day, to get in some winter photographing. This was the third time I've met up with Sean, the first being on </span><a href="http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/search/label/Cedar%20Lake"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Cedar Lake</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> early last summer and the second on Little Island Lake back in the fall. True to form as he approached we heard his familiar "giddy-gig" call. As always, Sean was full of fun and energetic stories, and true to his word arrived just in time for the morning coffee. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAfF7xopmI/AAAAAAAAB78/fvTuLPR602c/s1600-h/SE010101.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Sean arriving for morning coffee.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAfF7xopmI/AAAAAAAAB78/fvTuLPR602c/s1600-h/SE010101.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318785346730239586" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAfF7xopmI/AAAAAAAAB78/fvTuLPR602c/s320/SE010101.jpg" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; width: 320px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">By 10:00 we started packing up camp, which took a considerably less amount of time then setting up, and we were all off, heading back to the Visitor's Centre via the eastern lower plain of Norway Lake, by around 11:00 am. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The first part of the trek was back trekking over are previous trail, and hence was easy, followed by about 300 meters along a freshly made trail that Mike had made while we slept that morning; thanks Mike! However after that it was a brutally difficult hike back to the highway, as we were passing through between 2 and 3 feet of fresh powdery snow. We all took turns breaking the trail, a killer job by any standard, but by the time we reached the base of the Visitors Centre, and we knew we would have to change our strategy.</span><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAgkiGF2EI/AAAAAAAAB8E/LriXQz0UzTc/s1600-h/P1010066.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Looking back on our trail....looks so easy now.</span></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAgkiGF2EI/AAAAAAAAB8E/LriXQz0UzTc/s1600-h/P1010066.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318786971924289602" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SdAgkiGF2EI/AAAAAAAAB8E/LriXQz0UzTc/s320/P1010066.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; width: 240px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It was at this time that Markus suggested changing up our approach to breaking the trail, suggesting that one of us break the trail full time, a killer job, while the last to follow along the trail (and hence having the best groomed trail to follow) pull two sleds. At first this seemed like a big challenge for the puller of two sleds, but Jeffrey M was up for the challenge, and stated that it wasn't that hard to pull two sleds, as the trail was well packed by the time he was on it. Great show Jeffrey. In the end, it was Shawn of North Bay that cleared the trail followed by Markus, Mike and I with our sleds and then Jeffrey M at the tail end of our group towing both his and Shawn's sleds. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In all, the rest of our trip while still challenging was easier then the first portion, and we were back at the point where the Visitor's Centre access point road meets highway 60 in about an hour after changing up our trail breaking, or about 2.5 hours after leaving camp. One nice treat to our return to our cars was that Sean of Ajax had left his car parked at highway 60 and the Visitor's Centre access road, saving us a further kilometer walk to our cars, as he drove Mike, Shawn and I to grab the cars, while the others watched the gear. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Once loaded up, Shawn treated us to a great lunch at the Visitor's Centre, thanks Shawn that was unnecessary, but much appreciated, followed by some picture taking from the observation deck of the Visitor's Centre and then Jeffrey and I were off to head home..... if only we knew we left 10 minutes too soon :( </span><br />
<div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">There's always time for a few photos!</span></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SeUls7cufiI/AAAAAAAAB9E/mWyH9v0Jdbc/s1600-h/IMG_5134.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324703588238130722" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SeUls7cufiI/AAAAAAAAB9E/mWyH9v0Jdbc/s320/IMG_5134.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">Our trail from the Visitor's Centre.</span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SeUltOwr7oI/AAAAAAAAB9M/F2VDqSvPXxs/s1600-h/IMG_5135.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324703593422122626" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SeUltOwr7oI/AAAAAAAAB9M/F2VDqSvPXxs/s320/IMG_5135.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></o:p></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">You see, Markus, and Sean stayed behind and chilled a bit longer taking some extra shots, and were rewarded by seeing a small pack of wolfs following along the trail that we had just carved out in the canyon below the Visitors Centre's main deck. I was really happy that Markus and Sean got to see them, but will admit that I had wished I hadn't of been in such a hurry to return home, for wolf sightings are rare at best. </span></span><a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/352882/thread/1233537829/last-1233790703/You+guys+missed+it!"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">(See Markus's thread on Algonquin Adventures for details</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> and</span></span><a href="http://www.ragingriverstudios.com/MOVIES/wolves.wmv"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Sean of Ajax's video clip of the sighting)</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> Oh well, I guess I have another reason to go back to the Park; like I needed one.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><br />
All in all, I can honestly say that winter camping can be a lot of fun, provided you are well equipped and traveling with experienced and like minded people. Traveling with Markus, Mike B, Shawn and Jeffrey M gave me the perfect combination of both, and I am anxious to try the park out again next winter. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">For those interested tip logs written by<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.algonquinadventures.com/triplogs/MikeBurnsForkLake/index.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Mike B</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">,</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/352882/thread/1233565055/last-1233696522/Fork+Lake+Trip+Report"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Shawn of North Bay</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">, and a </span></span><a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/352882/thread/1233546637/last-1233772605/Back"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">mini log by Markus</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> are also available. As well, some interesting chat about my iPhone message, and watching the trip "live" via the net and </span></span><a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/352882/thread/1233456750/last-1233611903/Fork+Lake++w-+SPOT"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">SPOT</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"> can be found </span></span><a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/352882/thread/1233500411/last-1233601108/Fork+Lake+(vicariously)"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">here.</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d1e9a3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
<br />
For now though I counting the days to the Spring Opener; 8 more sleeps!</span> <br />
</span></span></span></span><br />
<center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjeff.proppe%2Falbumid%2F5325435009328140033%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss" height="400" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="600"></embed></span></center></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-22153387338122900752009-03-11T22:34:00.003-04:002009-03-11T22:42:13.773-04:00Rick Mercer Visits Algonquin Park<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vJRDpTUIrJI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vJRDpTUIrJI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object><br /><br />This week Rick Mercer visited Algonquin Park to do some work on Bear Tagging and research. The video was absolutely hilarious and well worth a look.<br /><br />Some of my favorite lines included:<br /><br />"Here's you new collar, this years model is the same as last year, only it holds more songs!"<br />"You know how I know there are three cubs? I counted the heads."<br />"Do I have to put all 3 back? Can I just keep one?"<br />"I think we should just go with the double dose."<br /><br />Check it out!Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com175tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-90197849188267969002009-03-04T11:26:00.015-05:002009-04-22T10:02:45.397-04:00Time for this years "Ice Out Predictions"<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/Sa6upYSPOxI/AAAAAAAAB5c/AYfFTyq1V-k/s1600-h/Untitled-1_edited-1.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309373036633209618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 116px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/Sa6upYSPOxI/AAAAAAAAB5c/AYfFTyq1V-k/s320/Untitled-1_edited-1.png" border="0" /></a> Every year Jefferson Ridpathon of <a href="http://www.canoelake.ca/iceout/">Canoe Lake Ice-Out</a> holds his annual Ice-Out predictions poll. This year I casted my vote early (today in fact), and voted for Friday, April 24th, 2009 (at noon.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I must admit that I am a bit biased in my vote, as this selection will be just in time for my arrival at what has become an annual gathering of <a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/352882/thread/1236099627/last-1236183198/Canoe+Lake+Ice-out+-+predictions+for+2009">Algonquin Adventures</a> members, but hey I'll take anything earlier as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Judging by Jefferson's posting of <a href="http://www.canoelake.ca/iceout/historical-ice-out-dates.html">historical dates</a>, the opener should be a go (the ice was fully out the morning I set off for <a href="http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/2008/04/algonquin-adventures-park-opener-rock.html">Rose Island on Rock Lake, for last year's Algonquin Adventures Opener</a>), but with recent temperature variations of plus 11 to minus 25 degrees celsius in the last week alone, one can only hope and wonder.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here's to a quick end of the winter, and the start of another paddling season!</div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-24106762113327027112009-02-20T16:57:00.004-05:002009-02-20T17:22:27.472-05:00New Algonquin Provincial Park Map Available<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SZ8rmK38ziI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/NyVokMoPyzM/s1600-h/sample.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SZ8rmK38ziI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/NyVokMoPyzM/s320/sample.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305006820819783202" /></a>For those of you have been looking for the best map of Algonquin Provincial Park possible, look no further! My good friend Jeffrey McMurtrie has just released this years version of his already fantastic map, with TONS of new information and updates.<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Like Jeffrey's previous maps, they are free to download, and can be found at <a href="http://www.algonquinmap.com/index.html">Jeffrey's Algonquin Maps.</a> All he suggests in way of "payment" is to make a donation to one of his favorite Algonquin Park Causes; Something I hope everyone who ends up using the map does!<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Additions to This Years Map Include: (as exerted from his web site)</span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 18.0px Abadi MT Condensed Light"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All portages now have their peak elevations located and numbered. <br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All old tote roads and phone lines are marked (Should make for some fun exploring)</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Much more accurate and complete clearings, buildings, swamps, rapids, dams, falls, etc</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A slightly larger area (So that it now has a handy 4:3 ratio for wide format printing)</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Big East R and the lower Barron Canyon canoe routes are no longer cut off</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Ma-Da-Was-Ka R is shown to a much greater extent<br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A UTM grid is now on the map (Handy for guessing distances as well as GPS use)</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">More logging roads are shown (I don't yet have the data for all areas)<br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The latitude/longitude grid is enhanced<br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A variety of old bush trails are shown<br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The age of most abandoned ranger cabins is shown (It should help you figure out the odds of if the various cabins are still standing)</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Contour lines are now shown<br /></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A version of the map where you can enable and disable individual features is now available</span></span></li></ul></div><div>I also understand that the map site that hosts the digital maps for downloading will soon be equipped with automated printing services where by the user can customize the portion(s) of the map they wish to have printed, and then for a nominal fee will be professionally printed and mailed to the purchaser; I'll be ordering my copy as soon as that service becomes available!</div><div><br /></div><div>Mark my word, "Jeffrey's Algonquin Park Map" will eventually become the official map of the park; as it is simply too fantastic not to be!</div><div><br /></div><div>Well done my friend!</div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-30521860272976422542009-02-08T21:02:00.011-05:002009-02-09T15:11:21.223-05:00Bird Calls<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SY-SD-9mXXI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/gmRO-7FKufk/s1600-h/winter-bird480.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300615883576991090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SY-SD-9mXXI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/gmRO-7FKufk/s320/winter-bird480.jpg" border="0" /></a>I've recently returned from a three day winter trip to the park (a log is in the works), and while I missed a wolf sighting by a mere 20 minutes <a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/352882/thread/1233537829/last-1233790703/You+guys+missed+it!">(see Mark in the Park's thread on Algonquin Adventures for details</a> and<a href="http://www.ragingriverstudios.com/MOVIES/wolves.wmv"> Sean of Ajax's video clip of the sighting)</a> I did hear a few birds. (The wolfs were following a snowshoeing trail that Sean of North Bay, Sean of Ajax, Mike B, Jeffrey M and I had made on our way off Fork Lake towards the Visitor's Centre about an hour earlier.) <div><br /></div><div>In the winter the park seems that much quieter, that much more remote and that much more wild. As such the sounds seem that much more vivid. <div><br /></div><div>While I would not consider myself a birder by any stretch of the imagination, I have always stopped to listen to their amazing songs. My identification skills are poor at best, but in the spirit of learning a bit, I did some research on the web, and came across the following site that I thought I would share. It's named "<a href="http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/birding123/">All About Birds.</a>" </div><div><br /></div><div>It's well worth a look, and includes some great audio clips of some of the marvelous sounds that the park has to hold.</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Birding!</div></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-10354936032892241632009-01-23T18:12:00.005-05:002009-01-23T18:32:13.833-05:00Whiskey Rapids Trail & Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls at Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpCUR1lp1I/AAAAAAAAB0M/6KUQfzFcbmw/s1600-h/DSC07563.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpCUR1lp1I/AAAAAAAAB0M/6KUQfzFcbmw/s320/DSC07563.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294617228080424786" /></a><div>Well, my weekend trip to the park is over, and all I can say is what a weekend! As it happened, I was able to pick up Jeffrey M and Andrew on Friday night, at around 5:00pm, and after a long 5 hour drive, we made it safe and sound at my cottage; arriving at just after 10:00pm. While long, due to traffic and a winter storm, the drive gave me, Andrew and Jeffrey a chance to catch up, as it hadn't been since the fall that we had last seen each other. While the drive was mostly "normal" we did have to make several attempts up some of the icier sections of the privately serviced road that leads up to the cottage.<br /><br />That night, after settling in, we enjoyed a roaring fire in the "Gathering Room" along with a few glasses of wine, while watching the falling snow from the warmth of the cottage. Our conversations included the usual Algonquin chatter, along with an extensive look at this year’s addition of <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/canoecamping/map/index.html">Jeffrey M's Algonquin Map</a>. In the spirit of keeping things "top secret" all I'll say is that people won't be disappointed, for it has many improvements and simply put is looking great.<br /><br />That night, I retired at around 2:00am, and awoke the following morning around 9:00am. By 10:30am, after a quick shower and breakfast, we were off to Huntsville to get Andrew some snowshoes at <a href="http://www.algonquinoutfitters.com/">Algonquin Outfitters</a>. It was at the Huntsville Store that we met up with fellow <a href="http://www.algonquinadventures.com/">Algonquin Adventures</a> participant Lorren, also known as "Shore Bound Angler," who was joining us for a day of snowshoeing. While the Huntsville store was out of rental shoes, we were promised a pair at their Dwight location, so after a brief stop at Tim's for a coffee, we were off down highway 60, towards the park.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Lorren by the rapids</span></span></span></center></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpC2FcLRTI/AAAAAAAAB0U/6zlI7xXCjjE/s1600-h/DSC07314.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpC2FcLRTI/AAAAAAAAB0U/6zlI7xXCjjE/s320/DSC07314.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294617808868164914" /></a><br />Our stop in Dwight lasted 20 minutes at most, and as we left the parking lot of Algonquin Outfitters I started getting excited about my return to the Park. Other then a 5 minute break at the West gate for our day permit, our drive to the Whiskey Rapids Trail was brief, taking perhaps 20 minutes, and we arrived at parking lot at around 1:00 pm. Unfortunately my car's "all-season" tires didn't provide enough traction for the curved hill that takes you from highway 60 to the trail's parking lot, so I had to park along the roadway; luckily there was one spot left.<br /><br />The parking lot, which held about 8 cars, while full was well cleared and clearly well used. Lorren incidentally, with his four season tires made it up with no problem at all, and got the last vacant spot in the parking lot.<br /><br />While the parking lot was full, we didn't see a single sole along the trail. The path was very well marked, nicely packed, and with the exception of a few downed trees, very easily traveled. Along the route we saw some interesting ice formations on the Oxtongue River, and while we had no animal sittings, we enjoyed a wonderful hour and a half long hike on what turned out to be a brisk winters afternoon with temperatures at around -15 degrees. This was the first time I have done The Whiskey Rapids Trail, and highly recommend it for a winter hike.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Jeffrey By the Whiskey Rapids</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpGA0XUn8I/AAAAAAAAB0s/UxVoVX_MP2Q/s1600-h/DSC07319.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpGA0XUn8I/AAAAAAAAB0s/UxVoVX_MP2Q/s320/DSC07319.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294621291797848002" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Whiskey Rapids</span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpGAIZpufI/AAAAAAAAB0k/g5s8sCQhykw/s1600-h/DSC07335.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpGAIZpufI/AAAAAAAAB0k/g5s8sCQhykw/s320/DSC07335.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294621279996459506" /></a><br />During our hike, I also got to test out my new GPS software for my iphone, titled <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=293935935&mt=8">MotionX-GPS</a> (I use the full version of the program which cost $2.99 at apples iTunes Store) and a GPS map record of the trail can be seen below.<br /><br /><center><iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&s=AARTsJqidcH4eHLwb4Xzfo1y6qz6hORaWA&msa=0&msid=109988556934498125983.000460d670730916239d8&ll=45.484206,-78.7603&spn=0.005265,0.00912&z=16&output=embed" frameborder="0" width="425" scrolling="no" height="350"></iframe><br /><small><a style="COLOR: #0000ff; TEXT-ALIGN: left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=109988556934498125983.000460d670730916239d8&ll=45.484206,-78.7603&spn=0.005265,0.00912&z=16&source=embed">View Larger Map</a></small></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Jeff (Me) Checking out his (my) "GPS iPhone"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51); font-size:13px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpM51hcjCI/AAAAAAAAB1M/nErwFkm-X9s/s1600-h/DSC07591.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpM51hcjCI/AAAAAAAAB1M/nErwFkm-X9s/s320/DSC07591.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294628868431055906" /></a><br /></span></div>For those interested, the <a href="http://store.algonquinpark.on.ca/cgi/algonquinpark/00017.html">trail guide for the Whiskey Rapids Trail</a> discusses the ecology and history of the Oxtongue River. Note that in the winter there are no trail guides available at the start of the trail, but they can be purchased <a href="http://store.algonquinpark.on.ca/cgi/algonquinpark/index.html">online</a> as well as at the <a href="http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/mustrails/museums.html">Visitor's Centre</a>, and the East and West Gates.<br /><br />Having finished our hike by around 2:30 pm, and not wanting to return to the cottage yet, we decided to check out the Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls at <a href="http://www.ontarioparks.com/ENGLISH/oxto.html">Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park</a>.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Oxtongue Entrance</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpF__CUGYI/AAAAAAAAB0c/mC3t5zza-hk/s1600-h/DSC07418.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpF__CUGYI/AAAAAAAAB0c/mC3t5zza-hk/s320/DSC07418.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294621277482654082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Heading out to Ragged Falls</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpGBhzSrzI/AAAAAAAAB00/7CoGaBwp4SA/s1600-h/DSC07421.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpGBhzSrzI/AAAAAAAAB00/7CoGaBwp4SA/s320/DSC07421.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294621303994756914" /></a><br />Wow, what a good idea that turned out to be. Located off highway 60 (on the north side) between Dwight and the Parks West Gate, the falls at Ragged Falls Provincial Park provided an absolutely awe-inspiring site. To get to the falls we parked our cars at the park's ploughed access point. While the lot holds only 5 or so cars, there was only one other car there, leaving us with ample parking. The hike in took about 15 minutes, again along a well traveled and hence packed down trail. Mid-way along the path you can choose from "the low route" or "the high route;" we choose the high one.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Ragged Falls</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51); font-size:13px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpMG3yP2LI/AAAAAAAAB1E/fBtr5q9Dn5c/s1600-h/DSC07459.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpMG3yP2LI/AAAAAAAAB1E/fBtr5q9Dn5c/s320/DSC07459.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294627992865069234" /></a></span></div>The falls boosted semi frozen cliffs overflowing with rapidly moving water. In some portions of the rapids the ice build-ups appeared to be several feet thick and were very impressive indeed. The surrounding trees were seemingly frozen in time by mist created from the frozen water rushing through the rapids, and yet the area felt full of life. The trail follows very close to the falls, and hence providing a great vista of the surroundings, but a chain link fence also keeps visitors at a safe distance along several portions of the trail.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Frozen Trees by Falls</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpGCBtgpfI/AAAAAAAAB08/m5oHTa94i88/s1600-h/DSC07432.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpGCBtgpfI/AAAAAAAAB08/m5oHTa94i88/s320/DSC07432.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294621312560440818" /></a><br />While along the trail, we saw but one other couple leaving the rapids, and after exchanging a brief hello were told that the sites to come were magnificent. Wow, they weren’t kidding! I think I will revisit this area in the summer, for I bet a canoe ride from Smoke Lake down the Oxtongue River to Algonquin Outfitters in Dwight would make for a fantastic day trip through not only the western portion of the Park but also the greater Ragged Falls area .<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Andrew (the official trip photographer) by "The Last Stop Portage" prior to the Ragged Falls</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpNttZRFCI/AAAAAAAAB1c/qmCF3U3lijE/s1600-h/IMG_0104.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXpNttZRFCI/AAAAAAAAB1c/qmCF3U3lijE/s320/IMG_0104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294629759602463778" /></a><br />The only downer of the day was that Andrew's rental snowshoes turned out to be defective and kept loosening on him. He was a real trooper though, and kept a smile on his face despite having them fall off about 5 times during the day; good job Andrew. Wanting to return Andrews snowshoes prior to Algonquin Outfitters closing, we left the falls at around 4:30. Once there AO was very apologetic about Andrew's mishap with his rental and waved all rental charges. They also promised Andrew a new deluxe pair of snowshoes for his next rental, should he ever decide to rent from them again.<br /><br />Later that evening, Loren, Andrew, Jeffrey and I returned to the cottage to spend the evening chatting and enjoying some more wine. While Andrew, Jeffrey and I had originally planned on staying at <a href="http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/geninfo/winter.html">Mew Lake Campground</a> that night, the<a href="http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climateData/hourlydata_e.html?timeframe=1&Prov=XX&StationID=42967&Year=2009&Month=1&Day=16"> previous nights low was -38.4 degrees</a> and with a <a href="http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climateData/hourlydata_e.html?timeframe=1&Prov=XX&StationID=42967&Year=2009&Month=1&Day=17">forecasted low for the evening of -30 degrees</a>, we made a last minute change in our plans. Skipping the camping element of the weekend did prove nice though, for again we spent the evening warm and toasty around a roaring fire while enjoying a few beverages and good company. Interestingly enough that night we got about 10 cm of fresh snow at the cottage, so staying at Mew would have been challenging, for I suspect that the combination of low temperatures, precipitation and wind would have made for a long night in the park.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXZ5a_WETyI/AAAAAAAABxc/7BEKuA3NsEE/s1600-h/jan16-17weather.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293551916608147234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 193px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXZ5a_WETyI/AAAAAAAABxc/7BEKuA3NsEE/s320/jan16-17weather.jpg" border="0" /></a>I do want to make a second attempt at staying at Mew Lake Campground this winter, but will wait for January to pass; hoping that the worst of the winter freeze will follow along with it.<br /><br />The next day was spent leisurely at the cottage, and we were off heading home by 3:00pm. While the drive home was shorter then the drive there, we did run into some more bad weather, for the Toronto area was getting the snowfall that we had experienced the night before.<br /><br />In short, it was another fantastic weekend spent "up north." I got to return to Algonquin and met another Algonquin Adventure's member while catching up with another two. I got to use my new snowshoes and GPS software for the first time (which both worked brilliantly and were well worth every penny) and got to see some beautiful winter sites both in and out of the park.<br /><br />I hope to return north soon for another weekend of snow showing, for the workout while sufficiently challenging also proved equally enjoyable. I have a feeling Jeffrey, Andrew, Loren and I will be back in the park in no time at all, and I am even contemplating bringing my boys as well. Until then, here's to another great "mini-adventure" in the park, and plans in the making for another! </div><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="600" height="400" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjeff.proppe%2Falbumid%2F5294607408072021745%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1983765659318572711.post-70613896242508600462009-01-19T18:00:00.006-05:002009-01-23T18:11:28.692-05:00Poll Results<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXUGQvuF0KI/AAAAAAAABxM/N4ZtwWMRIPg/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aQG7EwRtF80/SXUGQvuF0KI/AAAAAAAABxM/N4ZtwWMRIPg/s320/Picture+1.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293143821801345186" /></a>Well, the votes are in, my trip was taken this past weekend, and for now all I'll say is that in the end the majority did not win, but that their input was greatly appreciated. In fact, I had a wonderful time snowshoeing not only a fantastic trail in the Park, but I also got to see another amazing site, located just outside the park boundary. Any guesses?<div><br /></div><div>I would like to thank the 11 people who voted, and in retrospect now know I should have included a "no preference" choice, for while the poll got 11 voters, it received over 200 hits during the week it was open. </div><div><br /></div><div>So again, THANK YOU, and know it is my hope to have a trip log written and posted by the weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07498443926079458452noreply@blogger.com0