Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Sunday, 5 August 2012
Algonquin Park 2012 - Day Three
On our third day we would have liked to repeat a loop that Andrea and I did once before; unfortunately the low water levels had made part of the route impassable ('Vanishing Pond' had lived up to its name!). So we did a there-and-back trip to Sunbeam Lake for lunch.
Our last day on the lake dawned quietly, but by the time we were paddling back to the highway the wind was in our face and whipping up the waves. We made it to the car just as the torrential downpour began!
 |
| The island in Tom Thomson Lake |
 |
| Leaving Tom Thomson Lake towards Bartlett Lake |
 |
| Going through the creek into Bartlett Lake |
 |
| Paddling into Bartlett Lake |
 |
| Typical lake shoreline |
 |
| Heading across Kooy Pond |
 |
| A typical portage trail |
 |
| Shallows at the end of Willow Lake |
 |
| Arrived at the Sunbeam Lake end of the portage and trying to work out our next move |
 |
| We pulled the canoes out on an island on Sunbeam Lake and stopped for lunch |
 |
| Alexei took off for a doggy paddle around the island |
 |
| Stopping to show off his swimwear! |
 |
| Soaking up the sun |
 |
| These are Pickerelweed flowers |
 |
| Tired paddlers on the way back to camp |
 |
| Crescent moon |
Our last day on the lake dawned quietly, but by the time we were paddling back to the highway the wind was in our face and whipping up the waves. We made it to the car just as the torrential downpour began!
 |
| Calm before the storm |
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Algonquin Park 2012 - Day Two
On our first day waking up in the park interior we had grand plans to do a big loop through Potter Lake, Brule Lake, McIntosh Lake, and back to Tom Thomson Lake. However, when we worked out that it added up to 20 kilometres, we were more cautious, and decided that we would probably set out, then turn back at an appropriate time - to make sure that we were back in time for supper!
 |
| Heading out of Tom Thomson Lake on the west side |
 |
| Andrea trying her hand at portaging |
 |
| The portage sign - not always so easy to spot from halfway across a lake! |
 |
| Our trusty vessel |
 |
| The shoreline of Potter's Lake at the put in |
 |
| Paddling up Potter Lake |
 |
| Alexei and Natasha walk their canoe through the channel |
 |
| To a small beaver pond at the top end of Potter Lake |
 |
| We decided that this would be the far end of out trip |
 |
| On the return journey through Long Pond |
Saturday, 28 July 2012
Algonquin Park 2012 - Day One
Last week Andrea and I - along with a couple of friends - took a long weekend for a canoe-camping trip in Algonquin Park. On day one we set off from the Portage Store on Canoe Lake headed for Tom Thomson Lake; via Joe Lake, Teepee Lake, the Little Oxtongue River, and Littledoe Lake - altogether about 12 km.
 |
| The happy paddlers about to set off onto Canoe Lake |
 |
| Leaving from the docks at the Portage Store |
 |
| Paddling beneath an old rail bridge |
 |
| A family of loons on Teepee Lake |
 |
| A moose at the entrance to Tom Thomson Lake |
 |
| The same moose, giving me a look |
 |
| Paddling into Tom Thomson Lake |
 |
| The view along the shore from our campsite on Tom Thomson Lake |
 |
| The rocks along the shore of our campsite - perfect steps for getting into the water! |
 |
| Drying things off in the evening sun |
 |
| A paddle at dusk |
 |
| An ancient treestump at one end of Tom Thomson Lake |
 |
| Tree stump texture |
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Patio Garden
We have a fantastic patio that lets us grow many plants (as long as they can stand the wind ten floors up!). Here is a sample of what's growing at the moment:
 |
| Bell peppers starting to ripen |
 |
| Cherry tomato plants |
 |
| Cherry tomatoes ready to eat! |
 |
| This is a potentilla plant |
 |
| Scarlet runner bean flowers |
 |
| Sweet pea flowers |
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)