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Algonquin May 2013 with my dad

Joined
Feb 1, 2013
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Location
Burlington, Ontario
This most triumphant adventure started on Monday May 6,2013. My dad and I were on the highwayby 0500. We registered at the Canoe LakeAccess Point in Algonquin Park. Whileregistering, we were surprised to find out that the forest fire rating washigh. This was surprising consideringthat there was still ice on the lakes about one week earlier. We were told that with all of the heavyrainfall in April, the ground was still frozen and was not able to absorb thewater. Instead, it flooded the low areasand ran into the lakes. Afterregistering, we crossed the road to the Smoke Lake Access Point. We were on the water by 0940. Within about one hour we made it to the 240 mportage into Ragged Lake. We ended upcamping on the island in the south west part of West Bay. This was our first time camping at thissite. The access point to the site has asandy beach. To reach the site you haveto walk up a short steep path. Below aresome pictures of the site and of the view from the site:
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After having some hot drinks and getting the tent set up, weheaded out in the canoe to get some firewood. Below is a picture of a neat looking tree root in the water:
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We had steak, rehydrated pork and beans and some beers fordinner. Our beer was frozen when we gotto the site. I thought that it would bea good idea to keep the beers in the water to help them thaw out and to keepthem ice cold. To keep them fromfloating away, we thought it would be a good idea to put them in the fishingnet and to secure the net to the shoreline. My dad volunteered for this job. When I went to get the beers, I realized this was not such a goodidea. The water near the shoreline waswarm enough for swimming. As such, thebeers were not ice cold but semi cool. However, semi cool beers are better than no beers. The temperature actually reached 34 degrees celciustoday. Below is a picture of the sunset:


I really enjoyed getting some good reading done tonightaround the fire. I started reading “TheCatholic Church and Conversion” by G.K. Chesterton.
On day two we were up at 0600 and on the water by 0735. Below are some pictures taken from theshoreline of our site and of the surrounding area:

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From our site, we canoed around Baff Mountain into SouthBay. From here we took the 590 m portageinto Big Porcupine Lake. We then madeour way to the 200 m portage to get us into Bonnechere Lake. Below are some pictures taken whiletravelling today:

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We decided to set camp on the second site on the right. It was about 11:00 when we arrived at thesite. After eating lunch and setting upthe tent, we headed out in the canoe and did a wood run. Below are some pictures of the site and of theview from the site:

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It was another warm and sunny day with the temperaturereaching close to 30 degrees celcius. Itwas nice sitting around the fire with some hot drinks and doing somereading. I also enjoyed a scotch withwater for a night cap. This was thetypical evening routine on the trip.
On day three we were up at 0600. Below is a picture of the bay to the east ofour site, taken shortly after waking up:
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After eating breakfast we decided to do some fishing. Below are some pictures taken from the canoeof the site and of the lake:

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Shortly after heading out fishing I actually caught a 14”trout:

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At about 11:00 we headed back to the site to eat lunch. Since the clouds were starting to move in, wedecided to set up the tarp. After lunchwe did another wood run which was followed by some more fishing. Shortly after heading out for another roundof fishing, my dad caught a 16” trout:

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After doing a little more fishing, we headed back to thesite. The fish were then gutted and thefins were removed. The fish were thenwrapped in tin foil and cooked over the fire on top of the grill:

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Below are some pictures of the site and the view from thesite later in the day:

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We enjoyed our usual routine of sitting around the campfire,while enjoying some reading, hot drinks and a bit of scotch.
On day four we were up at 0600. After finishing breakfast, I canoed aroundthe perimeter of the other end of the lake while my dad did some fishing. Below are some pictures that were takenwhile canoeing and fishing:

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We came back to the site at about 11:00 and ate lunch. After lunch we did some fishing from theshoreline around the site. At about thistime the black flies decided to pay us a visit. As usual, they did not really bother my dad but they really enjoyedhovering around my head. Thankfully theywere not really biting. We had some rainon and off before dinner and after dinner. I did some extra reading today. Before eating dinner I hadfinished reading the book by Chesterton. After dinner I started to read“Principles of Lutheran Theology” by Carl Braaten. Below are some pictures that were taken fromthe site later in the evening:

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In the evening we enjoyed our typical routine around thecampfire.
On day five were up at 0600. It was very chilly and windy today. After breaking camp, we took the200 m portage to get back into Big Porcupine Lake. We then made our way to the 590m portage toget us back into Ragged Lake. We then canoedback to West Bay and camped at the site just north west of the camp site on theisland in that bay. After getting thetent set up we set up the tarp. As wefinished setting the tarp up, it started to rain and continued to rain untilsome point early in the morning. Aftereating lunch, we did a wood run and had a fire going for the remainder of theday. We enjoyed some hot drinks in frontof the fire. I did a lot of reading aswell. After eating dinner we enjoyed ourtypical evening routine around the fire. Below are some pictures of the site and of the view of the lake from thesite:

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On day six we were up at 0600. After leaving the site we canoed to the 240 mportage to get us back into Smoke Lake. We arrived at the entry point shortly after 10:00. As usual, we were blessed with a really goodtrip.










 
I love reading about the trips you take with your dad Pete. I'm always looking forward to your next one. Thanks for sharing.
Take care,
Brad
 
I hope you don’t mind if I get personal here Pete. I’m sure I’m not the only one here on this site, or on the “other” site, who live vicariously through your father & son trips. Your paddling trips are enjoyable enough to read, but the dad & lad connection is extra special. My father apparently used to toss his canoe and gear in a box car heading out of Union Station (he was a Toronto kid) for somewhere north. He never shared his trip memories with me, and by the time I felt the urge to try a trip together, well, it was too late. I do my best not to indulge in regrets, but to make altered plans for the future. My own family trips have been a result of that. Keep tripping Pete, and all the best for making memories.
Take care,
Brad
PS I like hearing of your spiritual reading selections on your trips. Journeys can be so much more than mere mortal meandering.
 
Hello Brad: Thanks again for the kind words. They are greatly appreciated. My dad is the best canoe partner that I have had will ever have. He has taught me so much info. I still learn new stuff with each trip. He is getting older and lacks the energy that he used to have. Our trips are shorter now and we do more lay over days and don't travel too far on travel days. God willing, I am hoping to get out on some more trips with him. Thanks for the kind words regarding the spiritual side of the trips. I hope that you get out for some good family trips this year. Thanks again.

Take care,
Cousin Pete
 
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