Getting Out There...

I think I first read about the Paddle In the Park Contest through an update on the Algonquin Outfitters Facebook page around the end of the summer in 2013. In the spring of 2014, I was excited to see the PITPC Facebook page post with the first clue.

During my first canoe trip with some girlfriends to Kawartha Highlands, I brought the contest up and expressed how fun it would be to find a paddle at some point in the summer. But to be honest, I can be an all talk no action kind of gal at times and never really tried to decipher any clues. That is until the "Portage Queen" clue was posted. I knew right away the paddle was around Rock Lake and immediately called my husband at work and stated I wanted to search for it. We discussed going together with our children (who are 5 and 3 years old), but I was hesitant about my youngest handling the adventure. So I recruited two other Portage Queens (Ang & Ruby) to make it a Mommy/Daughter week-end challenge. We had tons of fun searching, but didn't find the paddle (to my disappointment). I wrote a poem:

From Ottawa and Haliburton these portage queens came,
to search for a paddle in the Algonquin Park rain.
For 3 long hours our 4 year old girls,
searched all the trees and under every squirrel.
Alas, we must have interpreted the clue wrong,
because we are unable to sing the "we found the paddle" song.
Tonight we'll sleep in our warm cozy beds,
with dreams of future paddles in our heads.
It was such a fabulous way to spend a Mom/Daughter day,
thank you Paddle In The Park Contest for letting us play!

Eventually, when the second clue was released, Ang did succeed in finding it (which most of you know), and I'm proud of her for taking the initiative to get out there. But what I really want to highlight about this experience is how truly AWESOME those words, "get out there" are.

I love canoeing, but admittedly, I wouldn't say I have tons of canoe trip experience. My first time on a canoe trip was when I was an Ontario Ranger at Esker Lakes when I was 17 years old. We paddled the Larder River (Raven - Wendigo). Back then my love for tripping blossomed, and yet it was 5 more years before I did another canoe trip on Frost Centre property as an intern at the Haliburton Forest, the summer of 1999. Since then I'd say I've logged 1/2 a dozen canoe trips. In 2006, my husband proposed marriage with a 17 foot Le Tigre (Surrey River) canoe, he purchased at a there and back sale at Trailhead. I figured we'd be tripping frequently after that, but life happened and excuses came easy with major home renovations and eventually having kids.

I had been in BC and my husband picked me up from the airport, I found this in our back yard when I returned home.

In May 2013, I did my first canoe trip since having children (with the same Ang, from above). It was 2 nights, in familiar surroundings on Frost property (which is now called Haliburton Highlands Water Trails). It sounds cheesy to say, but that trip was "spiritual" in a way. I remember getting up one morning early, and just really embraced my surroundings while Ang slept. I watched the sun come up and the mist rise, eventually seeing a beautiful shoreline reflection on the glassy waters.

I kept thinking how much I missed being out there. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I heard a loon call, and seriously started to cry. It was like I had found a part of myself again, I didn't know was missing. (At that point, it had been 5 years since my husband and I took our honeymoon trip down the Tim River in Algonquin Park - FIVE YEARS!)

Weaving our way down the Tim River, Algonquin Park 2007

To be honest, I feel a little guilty for not using our canoe more. That being said, I read blog after blog about "How to Canoe Trip with Small Children" with hopes of becoming hard core and introducing them to tripping as babies or toddlers. But it just didn't happen. We have been on the water with our children every summer, but the canoe introduction was paced.

This is my son and I canoeing on Eagle Lake, near South River. His comfort zone was right there!

 

 

All this to say, this year the words "get out there" really resonated with me. My goal in the spring was to make sure we took the kids on their first canoe trip. We set aside a week in August. All summer we were back and forth about where we'd go, but we figured Algonquin Park would be the destination. And then 2 weeks before our vacation we started making alternative plans to camp in the Adirondacks. It looked like we'd go another year without a trip, probably due to underlying parental fears. That is until I started paying more attention to the PITPC, which brings me back to the hunt for the Portage Queen paddle. At the same time I booked our campsite at Rock Lake, I also book a canoe trip through the Baron Canyon with my family. I figured it was time to stop making excuses and just do it!

 

On August 27, 2014, the Brenner-Kauffman family finally GOT OUT THERE! We started at Achray Campground, spent nights on Stratton & the High Falls Lake, and then finished off with an 8-hour day consisting of 8 portages (or hikes as my kids called them). And guess what, it was so worth it.

 

Our son, Finn, was napping upon arrival to Grand Lake (Achray Campground),

so we prepared the gear and had an early lunch while waiting out his nap.

We hit the water with an alert and happy boy.

 We spotted some turtles sunbathing, so we went in for a closer look.

 

 When we arrived at our first campsite on Stratton Lake,

the couple that had spent the previous night here warned there were "lots of frogs" and 1 friendly chipmunk.

There were tons of frogs along the shore and on this rock. It looked like they may have been in the final stage of changing from tadpole to frog,

because some of them still had short tails. That's a question for my former Fleming College, Fish & Wildlife professor, Kevin Callan. ;)

 

 I was really proud of my daughter's initiative to set up camp, she was a great helper.

 

 The volume of canoe tripping with kiddos was taken up a notch,

 so I happily took some solo time across the lake to gather some wood.

 

 Somewhere in her short 5 years of life, she learned how to set up a teepee style campfire.

To find her doing this after setting up the bedding in the tent, 

 I was sort of shocked because my husband and I didn't specifically teach her that...

 

 She was proud of herself, and so were we!

 

 This kind of precious moment doesn't happen always,

but I've noticed when we "get out there", they seem to happen more often.

 

 Stumped! ;)

 

 We took some time to splash around at the High Falls portage, after having lunch on Day 2.

 

 Lily pads and water shield were great sources of entertainment for our little munchkins.

 

As were frequent campsite dance parties.

 

 On our first night the kids were pretty excited and a challenge to get to bed.

Night #2 - they put themselves to sleep. (Woot woot!)

 

 Before we met, my husband had never canoe tripped, hard to believe,

 because I couldn't ask for a better paddling partner.

 

 When you enter the draw the PITPC asks "What is your favorite reward that you have found in nature?"

My answer changes, but I really love being by the water on misty mornings, just like in this photo.

 

 Family portrait. Theme: Pepperette Silliness

 So, your kids have never been on a canoe trip before?

No.

And you decided to take them on a route where you have to do 8 portages in one day?

Yes.

Brave...really brave. lol.

 

Yes, it wasn't the greatest plan for a first trip, but they were troopers. For anyone who has done a Baron Canyon trip,

you know there is an option to take one route with several portages (our choice),

or take another route with less portages but the distance is greater overall.

I was surprised how well the kids did. I think breaking it up was the better choice because they enjoyed the "hikes".

 

 My daughter was restless being in the canoe so long on the Baron River.

But promises of ice cream and dinner at a restaurant helped to keep the protests at bay.

 

 

When we arrived at the end of our trip at Squirrel Rapids, there was a huge sense of accomplishment for all of us. My son asked, "which campsite are we staying at tonight", and my husband and I looked at each other and just smiled. Every once in a while I see people post quotes on Facebook, along the lines of  "nature is the only therapy you need" or "teach your kids to play in the dirt". There are so many benefits mentally, physically and spiritually to "getting out there" and I'm thankful to the fine folks at the PITPC for reminding me of that.

 

A gorgeous misty morning on High Falls Lake, Algonquin Park.

 



Kids Fest - Sparks Street

Typically an outing with our family always means good times. After a busy summer camping and touring around, we wound things down by doing some "stay-cation" activities. I like the word "FREE" attached to anything we do, so when I found an add on-line advertising Kids Fest on Sparks street as "Free", I was all over that like Harper is on Proroguing.

It doesn't take much to entertain the kids, but Kids Fest just didn't make the cut for future recommendations. First off, it wasn't free. We lined up for a jumping castle, only to find out during my daughters turn that you need 2 tickets.  My husband ran off to get some tickets while we waited for the next round, only to have him return not finding where to buy them. It was very unorganized because even the volunteer running the castle didn't know where exactly the tickets were sold.

Several of the activities set up looked like the above photo, with no volunteer in sight and things cast off by previous users in a mess. The best part of the event was the face painting, which is always a big hit with the kiddos.

 

So, after a good half hour walking the strip for this festival we made the best of a sunny day and hit the pub for some grub and tasty beverages. Other families must have felt the same way because I've never seen Darcy McGee's packed with so many "half pints".

Since the energy levels were still high, we decided to round off the afternoon with a tour around the Parliament Buildings. Who needs planned activities when there's plenty of room to roam on Capital Hill?!

And The Beat Goes On @ Driftwood Provincial Park

I know! It's been a while, and yes, the blog name has changed. Turns out I reeealllllly enjoy taking pictures whilst out and about. And, it's impossible for me not to share my likes, dislikes and overall joy of "doing stuff". With no exception, this summer has been fully loaded with outings and our most recent weekend away at Driftwood Provincial Park has me thinking, I may have found my new favorite provincial park. Or at least my new favorite park fairly close to home.

Driftwood is just a short 2 1/2 hour drive west of Ottawa off Hwy 17. Nestled in Driftwood Bay on the Ottawa River, this small park is unique because a majority of the tent sites are what you'd call "a room with a view". 

Although rocky, our beach front was the perfect perch for a snack before bed.

For all you seasoned provincial park enthusiast, you know that in order to get the "BEST" site possible at all the top parks, you have to book 6 months in advance, and that's what we did and it paid off. And when I say we, I mean our friends with whom we camped. They came from South River, Ontario. So Driftwood was a great in between location for our 2 families. (The other bonus with booking in advance is getting a site close to the comfort station, which is super helpful with 2 little munchkins).

What I loved so much about this park is the size and natural appeal. All 61 non-electric sites are sprawled along the length of the river in the Ottawa River Campground (which is divided up into east and west). It makes for a quiet week-end, especially our time there because with a strong wind coming off the bay, we really couldn't hear a thing from sites on either side of us. If you wanted to stay on an electric site, you aren't quite as lucky to have waterfront, but the Brumm Campground is located closer to the day-use beach.

As for natural appeal, I think you understand my thoughts about being on the beach. Something else surprised me though - the trails. Often we go to parks and the beach, campfires, and swimming are the focal point. This trip we had brought our canoes along and we had planned to do some paddling, but as mentioned the wind was crazy. So instead of paddling we rocked the trails.

The Lookout Trail

We picked the lookout trail for 2 reasons. 1) We were able to access it by walking from our site and 2) it was a short 1.8 km loop, which we figured the kids could handle without too many "up" requests. The trail system had its faults with crazy signage, we were never quite sure where we were going, but we managed okay somehow. For example, after the above photo op, we continued down the trail. only to end up in a large open field. So we jumped on to another trail which lead us back to a road. We then hopped onto a second trail on the other side of the road, which was part of Loop 1 of the Chevrier Creek Trails. Were we ever glad we picked that trail, because we lucked in with the best wild blueberry patch, this side of the valley.

Celia was probably the most excited about wild blueberries. We also found and picked lots of wild raspberry and blackberries along the trail. 

While the kids (and my hubby) napped on Day 2, I tagged along with the Froats family for a hike. The trail head was once again this blueberry patch. I went prepared and brought an empty dish this time and told them I'd catch up after picking a few.

Needless to say I never caught up. Instead I was lost between Loops 1, 2, 3 and 4. Again, let me remind you about the poor signage, however, in all truthfulness, maybe I should have actually looked at and/or carried a map with me. My rationale is "they're loops" how can you get lost...

In spite of being lost, I savoured the alone time, just me, ferns, the odd mosquito and the Jack Pine plantation.

I ran into a man along the same trail, who asked me whether I knew anything about the trail system - he too was lost. He was looking for the creek that the trail is named after and never found it. When I found it after hiking about 7 km, I felt a real sense of accomplishment, because I knew that water leads to water. I would find my way back to our river oasis one way or the other *damnit*!

I felt like Mantracker, guiding through the woods and skirting the ravine looking for any sign of the Froats family, even laughing to myself, when I told the trees "I found what looks like a footprint." And then I did it, I found our campsite....

See that white trailer beyond those islands? Our site was right next door. All I had to do was find the right trail back and thankfully, I did. I also made it back to the site before the Froats clan and was happy to know the kiddos were still sleeping upon my return (gotta love that fresh country air). 

After working up a sweat on my hike, I decided to go for a dip despite the cool wind. While changing, my daughter woke up and decided she was down with the swim plan. Of course, as soon as she stepped out of the tent in her bathing suit her teeth started to chatter. That didn't stop her though, that girl belongs in the water, so we spent some time jumping waves before dinner and our campfire.

We have awesome friends. So when you get to camp together and share the meal cooking it makes for a very relaxing day. Our Day #2, dinner was being catered so we wandered down to a small little beach area and enjoyed the late afternoon sun.

On the same day, we also had some other friends join us in the park, so we shared the sunset, a campfire and my kids first fireworks experience, which turned out to be quite an unexpected show hosted by firefighters across the river.

Day #3 forecast: WIND! So, there was a little more hiking, a whole lot of lounging, and sandcastle building on the beach.

Again, we did a short 1 km loop on the Oak Highland Trail. 

Just the perfect amount of rock climbing for a 2 and 4 year old.

The key to happy hikers - telling them they are on an adventure, putting them in charge of sign watch, and checking out all the cool mushrooms on the trail....

...oh, and snacks, always have snacks!

No one is going to storm that castle, with such a great fence around it.

Every year, it's a goal of mine to visit a new Provincial Park that we haven't been to yet. Although I had been at Driftwood once before, it's a different experience when you have children. With kids, I'm finding that when something works well, stick to it. So Driftwood, will go on the camping "yes" list and hopefully we will visit it again in the near future. So if you're still reading this, just remember there are lots of things to do at a campground even when your plans may not go quite as expected. 

Our last night there included another gorgeous sunset. But it was colder than the 2 previous nights and we probably should have brought a couple extra blankets, "just in case". I will also admit that the more I camp with kids, the more I believe a 3 night stay is always better than 2 because the 1st night is always a little rough for the little ones, while getting used to sleeping outdoors and on an air mattress.

Murphy's Law: last day - best weather! After packing up the tents and loading the car we decided to get our long awaited paddle in, along with one last swim (this time much warmer). Until next time "Keep Calm and Camp On" people.