| Algonquin - A Perfect Weekend page #2 |
| |
| Vanna, one of our
party, who happens to be of the canine persuasion
(a Norwegian Buhund to be exact), inspected
everything and gave it her highest level of
approval. She then proceeded to find a nice
little hiking trail that goes up behind the
campsite to the bluffs. The view from the top is
excellent. |
|
|
|
| |
| After a
refreshing swim, we made preparations for dinner.
We had all brought different pre-process camping
meals to play a little ratings game. These
packets, while expensive, make for a good meal.
Most of them require little in the way of cooking
(with some just calling for boiling water) and
are very easy on fuel. Dehydrated, they have
little bulk and weigh next to nothing. |
|
|
|
| |
| As far as
palatability, most we’ve tried are good and
some of them are excellent. What we really like
about them is the variety. Thai chicken, beef
stew, chicken primavera, spaghettini Italiano and
even turkey with gravy and mashed potatoes - in a
pouch no less. What can we say. After dinner, the
ratings game started as we chilled out around the
campfire. None of the dinners got less than a
seven out of ten with the chicken getting a nine.
We’ve come a long way since the times of
"canned beans and today’s catch (that
is if you're lucky)." |
|
|
|
| |
| The next morning
was foggy and cool but as the sun rose higher,
the mist soon lifted. Breakfast ranged from
packaged instant porridge (not half bad, really),
to pancakes with blueberries. One couple opted
for (yikes!) Raman soup. The best part of the
meal was when some wonderful sharing person (me,
as a matter of fact) opened a package of the new
pre-cooked, no refrigeration required bacon, for
everyone's appraisal and review. |
|
|
| |
|
| Holly, the bacon
hound (no she’s not a canine although her
sister has a dog named Holly) wolfed down several
slices and begged for more. (I’m shameless.)
The bacon only has to be heated and it cooks up
on a fry pan in seconds. Everyone agreed it was
good. The downside is the price, which will keep
most people away from this variation on bacon and
eggs as an everyday meal. |
|
|
|
| |
| During the
evening we acquired neighbors, a group of young
woman, and this morning they were making good use
of our diving rock. It appeared clothing was
optional over there, so we tried to be discreet
and keep our eyes to ourselves. After breakfast
it was definitely time for a paddle, so we all
set out on the water together. In no time we were
going in different directions following assorted
wildlife in hopes of getting a better view. As we
passed a campsite directly across the lake, we
noticed a group of six, eighteen to twenty
something, guys fighting over a single pair of
binoculars. We were impressed with their
nature-loving ways until we looked back and
realized the birds they where viewing didn’t
have feathers, or even bathing suits. They were
training their gaze on our neighbors, which
explained why they were bickering over the
glasses so much. Ah nature. Ah hormones. Ah
teenagers. |
|
|
|
| |
| On such a
beautiful day, it was surprising how few
paddlers we encountered. Fortune smiled,
as the only other canoe we passed carried
a couple eager to share some of their
secrets. We slowed to talk and they let
us know of a nesting loon in the bay
ahead. We moved into the bay cautiously,
not wanting to frighten her, but when she
saw the boat she immediately approached
us. |
|
|
|
| |
| She
put on an amazing display, swimming back and
forth under the canoe, and then rising up out of
the water with wings spread just a meter from the
bow. We were overwhelmed by her beauty and unique
behavior but decided to turn around and not
disturb her further. We realized that this was
her way of distracting us, to keep us from
finding her nest. |
| |
| Back at
camp, our neighbors had left, so we were
again able to make good use of the diving
rock. The temperature was perfect, the
water warm, and only our hunger made us
finally get out of the water. Dinner was
another round of dehydrated meals; once
again they garnered good reviews. The
evening extended through several hours of
lighthearted banter, until the smoke from
the fire made us lightheaded and drowsy
and eager to crawl into our beds. We fell
asleep to the serenading loons. |
|
|
|
| The
next morning presented us with pleasant
temperatures and more blue skies. This made it
difficult to start packing things in, but our
time was running out. We pushed off from shore
and couldn’t help glance back with some
regret. Everything had meshed so perfectly, and
everybody had such a great time. The paddle out
wasn’t eventful until we reached the middle
of Canoe Lake. The sun’s warming rays
brought the wind up and the lake started to white
cap. We had to do a little extra distance to
ensure we were never broad side to the waves. We
all reached shore intact and gathered for one
final review. There were no differing opinions on
the weekend. Everyone gave it a perfect ten. |
| |
| |
| |
|
