Fall colours at Smoke Lake Hill - Scanned photo from Friends of Algonquin Park postcardDear Algonquin Park,
Your "Friends of Algonquin Park" website has been sitting open in its own dedicated tab on my Firefox browser for a couple weeks now. Lately, as the running season has come to an end for another year, I have been yearning to pay you a visit.
I have many fond memories of you - the leaves changing colours and being fiery and bright in late September, the memorable hikes I have taken along some of the trails - including the 11K Mizzy Lake Trail where my brother and his friend had their city slicker mentalities robbed by the effort and the biting insects, the Barron's Canyon Loop at the northeast end of the park where I enjoyed a stunning view of the canyon below with my friends when we were living in the Ottawa Valley, and one of the backcountry hiking trails I was on with former colleagues when we had a camping weekend with guys from the Armed Forces Reserves and we were forced to rough it military style.
I have taken part in a memorable rowing tour with other rowers in the summer of 2004 when we rowed on some of your stunning lakes from Whitney to Lake of Two Rivers - overnighting at one of the remote campsites along one of the lakes. We were swimming in the lake, relaxing, and enjoying some hearty chili and wine in the evening hours before heading for Lake of Two Rivers the following day. Algonquin, portaging a touring shell is different from portaging a canoe. It definitely required teamwork, co-ordination, and skill but we managed to flawlessly pull it off.
I also remember the wildlife I've encountered while passing through the park, and the surrounding areas - the moose along the side of Highway 60, the wolf standing at the side of the road as my friend Jacquie and I drove by late at night on the way to Whitney where we camped at a campsite nearby - cooking and eating pasta before midnight - before meeting with the gang for our rowing adventure, the chipmunk (one of the only critters we were permitted to feed) stuffing his cheeks with rusks and scurrying off to his home to deposit the rations before coming back for more - even scurrying across Gayle's back as she napped in the sunshine, and the distant call of the loon... There are also memories of numerous birds and critters - including the biting insects that threaten to put a damper on a really neat hiking adventure or a night around the campfire.
A baby loon riding on the parent - Scanned photo from Friends of Algonquin Park postcard
As I reflect back on the adventures that have left nothing but everlasting memories, I can't help but yearn to create some more of those memories. I yearn to walk on your trails, drive through the corridor, and rediscover the beauty of you, dear Algonquin Park. Shall I ask for your permission and blessing to make this all happen? Your beauty is definitely spell-binding, that's for sure...
If you extend the invitation to me, I know that you will do it at a timely moment - one that will be just perfect for me. All I need is that spark, that beckoning, that calling... For now, I bid you a pleasant night and I trust that this note will find you well.
Looking forward to seeing you again Algonquin!
Cheers,
Gailanne ~ Yearning for Adventure...
Your "Friends of Algonquin Park" website has been sitting open in its own dedicated tab on my Firefox browser for a couple weeks now. Lately, as the running season has come to an end for another year, I have been yearning to pay you a visit.
I have many fond memories of you - the leaves changing colours and being fiery and bright in late September, the memorable hikes I have taken along some of the trails - including the 11K Mizzy Lake Trail where my brother and his friend had their city slicker mentalities robbed by the effort and the biting insects, the Barron's Canyon Loop at the northeast end of the park where I enjoyed a stunning view of the canyon below with my friends when we were living in the Ottawa Valley, and one of the backcountry hiking trails I was on with former colleagues when we had a camping weekend with guys from the Armed Forces Reserves and we were forced to rough it military style.
I have taken part in a memorable rowing tour with other rowers in the summer of 2004 when we rowed on some of your stunning lakes from Whitney to Lake of Two Rivers - overnighting at one of the remote campsites along one of the lakes. We were swimming in the lake, relaxing, and enjoying some hearty chili and wine in the evening hours before heading for Lake of Two Rivers the following day. Algonquin, portaging a touring shell is different from portaging a canoe. It definitely required teamwork, co-ordination, and skill but we managed to flawlessly pull it off.
I also remember the wildlife I've encountered while passing through the park, and the surrounding areas - the moose along the side of Highway 60, the wolf standing at the side of the road as my friend Jacquie and I drove by late at night on the way to Whitney where we camped at a campsite nearby - cooking and eating pasta before midnight - before meeting with the gang for our rowing adventure, the chipmunk (one of the only critters we were permitted to feed) stuffing his cheeks with rusks and scurrying off to his home to deposit the rations before coming back for more - even scurrying across Gayle's back as she napped in the sunshine, and the distant call of the loon... There are also memories of numerous birds and critters - including the biting insects that threaten to put a damper on a really neat hiking adventure or a night around the campfire.
A baby loon riding on the parent - Scanned photo from Friends of Algonquin Park postcardAs I reflect back on the adventures that have left nothing but everlasting memories, I can't help but yearn to create some more of those memories. I yearn to walk on your trails, drive through the corridor, and rediscover the beauty of you, dear Algonquin Park. Shall I ask for your permission and blessing to make this all happen? Your beauty is definitely spell-binding, that's for sure...
If you extend the invitation to me, I know that you will do it at a timely moment - one that will be just perfect for me. All I need is that spark, that beckoning, that calling... For now, I bid you a pleasant night and I trust that this note will find you well.
Looking forward to seeing you again Algonquin!
Cheers,
Gailanne ~ Yearning for Adventure...
:)
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