This time-lapse montage will blow your mind

It 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.

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.

Enjoy! I did!

Timelapse Montage from Mike Flores on Vimeo.

The Raven

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."

As part of that ritual I would always pick up a copy of "The Raven : Algonquin Park's Natural and Cultural History Digest"; a publication put out several times a year in concert with the Friends of Algonquin. Starting this year, the Ravin is now available online for download, 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.

Any lover of Algonquin will surely enjoy the Raven. The following is an excerpt from their announcement about going digital, as seen on the Official website of Algonquin.

Enjoy! I know I will! Don't worry though, the paper editions will still be available.

The Raven : Algonquin Park's Natural and Cultural History Digest

For the first 50 years, The Raven had two authors…Russ Rutter from 1960 to 1973 and Dan Strickland from 1974 to 2009.

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.

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.

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.
• Vol. 51, No. 1 – April 22, 2010 –
The Devious Side of Algonquin's Spring Flowers by Michael Runtz
• Vol. 51, No. 2 – May 20, 2010 –
Those Magnificent Moose and Their Flying Machines by Dan Strickland [originally printed April 25, 1985]

The Friends of Algonquin Park Give Away

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!

The following is an excerpt from the contest site:

"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.

Thank you for your ongoing support and good luck in this exciting Give-Away."

Click here to enter.

Click here for contest rules.

Click here for The Friends of Algonquin web site.

Click here to donate the The Friends of Algonquin.

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.

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.

During the last two nights of our stay we were joined by an Algonquin Adventurer's friend of mine; Mark Rubino, of Mark's Algonquin Sampler.

In all we spent two full days in Algonquin, and visited the Spruce Bog Trail, the Visitor's Centre and the Track and Tower Trail. 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.

Grady's Run- Canoe and Kayak down the Magnetewan River for SickKids

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.

To my utter surprise Proppe's Paddles consistently ranks around 350th place in terms of Blogs tracked by Blog Tracker, 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 Grady's Run - Canoe and Kayak down the Magnetewan River for SickKids.

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.

The following is a copy of the e-mail I received:

Hello Jeff,

Since your blog reaches paddling enthusiasts in Ontario and beyond, I

am seeking your help in spreading the word about a paddling event that

promises to be a great day on the water while raising funds for an

important cause.

Paddlers are invited to join Grady's Paddle for SickKids as we canoe or

kayak from the town of Burk's Falls, down the flat water of the

Magnetawan River and across Lake Ceceebe, to the village of Magnetawan.

The route is 32km (there will also be a 21km route for beginners) and

passes through some beautiful scenery just north of Muskoka.

The event takes place on July 10th and will be supported on the water

and along the shore, including free transport from the finish back to

the start for paddlers as well as their watercraft. Canoe and kayak

rentals are available from local outfitters (many at a deep discount)

for those who don't have their own. There will be food, entertainment

and great prizes at the end of the route. Many paddling and outdoor

industry members have been very generous with prizes and support. The

grand prize --a 14' Sanarac sport kayak from Swift Canoe-- will be

awarded to the participant who collects the most pledges over $1,000.

Paddlers are asked to register and collect pledges in support of

SickKids Hospital Critical Care Unit. Grady's Paddle for SickKids is

sanctioned by SickKids Foundation and tax receipts will be issued for

donations over $20.

The event was conceived and is being organized by my friend, Judy

Dibben, in memory of her grandson, Grady King, who died at 6 months old

due to a congenital heart defect. Grady's family learned first hand of

the care given by the team at SickKids, and are committed to supporting

their further efforts. Your help in supporting this event will be

deeply appreciated.

We ask you to spread the word among your network of readers in the

hopes that some of them will be interested in participating. Anyone is

also welcome to support the event with prize donations. Tax receipts

will be issued for the full retail value of prizes over $20 value

(please supply receipt with prize).

And of course, you're also invited to put your own canoe or kayak in

the water and join us for a great paddle and a fun day!

For more information about Grady's Paddle for SickKids and Grady's

story, please visit:

http://www.gradysgift.ca/html/fundraising.htm

Thank you for your time, and for any support you can offer.

Kind regards,

Jackie Leung

Summer of 2010 Trip Plans

Well, with the Canoe Lake "ice out lottery" 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.

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.)

This year I am planning a 6 day trip out of Magnatawan, and am planning the following route:

Day 1: Magnatawan - Hambone - Daisy

Day 2: Daisy - Petawawa River - Little Misty

Day 3: Little Misty - Queer (2 night stay)

Day 5: Queer - Little Trout - Ralph Bice (2 night stay)

Day 7: Ralph Bice - Hambone - Magnetawan - Out

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 Eureka SS115 Canoe Pack (I currently use the SS 75, but need a second pack for food) if solo, or my SS75, if I'm with a partner.

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.)

In the mean time, I welcome suggestions/thought/past experiences/photos about my plans, and ask the following questions:

1. Should I do the loop in my planned direction, or the opposite?

2. Is Queer Lake worth 2 days?

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.)

Thanks for any input, and heres to an early ice out, 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!

FANTASTIC Photo/Video Trip Log

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 Team Pickle, Patrick Bird and all I can say is WOW; a MUST Algonquin see! The following is an exert from his site.

"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!

All footage has been taken using a Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3. The footage is a combination of photographs and video footage."

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!)

Todie's Wild Ride: Watch the Weather

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 Todie's Wild Ride: Watch the Weather during an afternoon of Geocaching with my kids last week (ironically it was on one of the first GREAT weather days of this summer.)

You see .....

"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!

Mayonnaise Jar & Two Beers...

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.

Please share this with someone you care about. I JUST DID!

LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS.... ...IT'S LEARNING HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN"

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.

I never met Tod, but hope he is resting in peace, and that his legacy lives on.