Algonquin Park is Ontario's oldest and second largest provincial park and in the minds of people all over the world as a wilderness destination. Its sparkling waters and beautiful forests attract visitors from the around the globe. The reason Algonquin is so special is many fold. It is a very large park covering some 7,700 square kilometres of rolling hills and valleys. High on a dome compared to its surroundings it can be quite warm in the summer and cool in winter and sometime creates its own weather as warm moist air is pushed up and over the heights of the park by the prevailing winds. Because of its location on the cusp of the southern fringes of Ontario it is home to a diversified list of plant and animal species, some found only in the North and some only in the South. Here, in Algonquin is where they meet and mingle. The area is just incredible. Algonquin Park's Wild Places Soon we arrive at our launch point where we unload our boats and begin to pack our gear into the canoes. There is a noticeable sweet smell of pine in the fresh clean air as the canoes sit in the water waiting for the journey. After our official Out For Adventure instructional and safety talk, covering everything from paddle strokes to toilets, we board our canoes and shove off. Bottom two photographs by Franco Barbagallo | There is a feeling as your canoe glides through the water with a barely perceptible dripping from your paddle as you swing it forward for another stroke. The feeling can't be reduced to a single word but some that come to mind are, freedom, fresh, relax, wild, solitude. Out on the lake the sound of a loon calling in it's stiletto voice echoes across the water as if it was meant to welcome you to Algonquin. Throughout your trip with Out For Adventure you'll be traveling in nomadic fashion, moving from place to place, enjoying the sights and sounds of Algonquin Park. Get used to kicking back from the routine of everyday life while you enjoy paddling, hiking, swimming and exploring. The real surprise for many people is the dinner call. Your meals are filled with plenty of delicious fresh food and delicious recipes and even desserts! Often we enjoy a small fire as the sun sinks and pulls back the blanket to the stars. Lay back by the campfire. Cast your eyes skyward, and marvel at the sheer number and intensity of the celestial body overhead that can only be seen away from city lights. This is the time to contemplate life, the earth, whatever. Itinerary Changes
As on any outdoor adventure vacation, the traveler needs to acknowledge and accept the fact that we are subject to the whims of nature and/or other circumstances, and as such may have to change details or routes of our itinerary to accommodate our dynamic environment. |
