I braved the mall on Canada Day. Someone bumped into me and I left within 20 minutes. On the subway home the other day, I could feel the breath of the person behind me invading my bubble. Living in a big city can have its perks, but at the same time, it can also be emotionally, mentally and physically draining.
But, I'll tell you one thing that was not draining. In fact, it was the exact opposite of draining. Invigorating - the perfect word to describe our recent canoe-in camping trip to Algonquin Provincial Park.
Established in 1893, Algonquin Park is the oldest, largest and easily the most popular provincial park in Ontario. With over 2,400 lakes and 1,200 kilometres of streams and rivers, the park is considered part of the "border" between Northern and Southern Ontario. It is the largest remaining stretch of continuous forest in Ontario, and the unique mixture of forest types, and wide variety of environments within, supports an uncommon diversity of plant and animal species. And if you have the opportunity to visit, I highly recommend it.
This year we expanded our annual camping trip crew to include my brother and his girlfriend. Safe to say, they fit right in. It was the perfect introduction to "back country camping" and camping with the Wards (because of course it rained). Hopefully next year, we'll be able to break out of our comfort zones and venture a little further into the Algonquin back country. But, until then, I'll enjoy this nature high that I continue to hold onto from our perfect weekend getaway to Canisbay Lake, Algonquin Park.
We canoed, we fished, we ate, we laughed, we enjoyed beautiful sunsets and we slept. And then we got up and did it all over again the next day. We were completely disconnected from technology, from our busy every day lives and from the crowded malls and subways. I'll let the photos do the talking...
There's nothing like falling asleep, and waking up to, the sound of loons and the wind in the trees. Or in our case, a huge bull moose crashing past your tent at 6:30am. Thank you Mr. Moose.
How do you disconnect from every day life? Have you ever been back country camping?
Wow, great photos! My family and I used to take a camping trip every year- I'm not one for camping though, so those trips have disappeared. Love the pics though!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! Although I think the moose would have made me run home.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics! You get SUCH a sound, restful sleep when you're camping. My fave is listening to the Loons in the distance. Nothing compares.
ReplyDeleteTruly amazing pictures. Now I'm longing for some canoe time. Also, I would be so excited, yet terrified by a moose running near my tent!
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