Bears really like Marshmellows

We have arrived home safe and sound from our recent camping trip to Algonquin Park. Let me first say this was the best family vacation we have yet to experience. Yes, I’m telling you the truth and yes I’m writing this sober. Trust me, I was just as surprised to learn that I love camping.  The kids had a great time, no one got hurt (remember last year, Jack almost bit it) nobody screamed or cried, and best of all no one got lost.

The park itself is beautiful and its easy to see why this was the inspiration of the famous 1920′s impressionist “The Group of Seven”. In the park is an amazing art gallery which houses beautiful paintings, local artists, gift shop and art classes. Dylan participated by painting a canoe paddle, while  Cory and Jack visited the Frog Pond.

The campground was situated next to a lake, with a nice beach perfect for swimming. It was very lush and heavily treed which provided a great deal of privacy between sites. We were warned upon arrival of a black bear wandering around and reminded to keep our food in the vehicle. Which we did at night, except for the marshmallows, which stayed in a large camping gear container under the picnic table. On the third night the aroma of marshmallow must have been to much to resist.  Woken by a loud crash, Cory opened up the tent and witnessed the bear chowing down the last of our campfire dessert. We were also visited by a posse of overly confident raccoons.  Behaving as they owned the place, they stared us down (all six of them) while we sat at the picnic table I actually felt afraid. But after some effort Cory scared them away, shouting something about his wife liking fur hats.

Deciding not to tempt fate, our first hike was a nice short and flat walk along Whiskey Rapids. The only danger being some very big mud puddles, which Jack navigated while on Cory’s shoulders.

Trail cycling is a popular activity in the park. The old railway lines have been converted to into bike paths which travel along the lakes and go for miles. While out on the trail we successfully hunted for geocaches.

The biggest draw to Algonquin Park is canoeing. At the Portage store you can sit with your coffee and cinnamon bun in the comfort of the restaurant or covered deck overlooking the lake and watch the poor wet keener’s load up all their camping gear into the boat. Then make there way down the lake to a canoe only campsite or follow the portage signs and travel to the next lake.  Who knows how long a person could canoe and camp like this. With no stores en route to resupply your food and wine needs it can’t be more than a day or two. For $20 we shared in this experience and only had to be on the water for 2 hours. And during this time we fished, caught nothing but did see a moose.

Fishing was almost a daily occurrence during this camping trip. Cory was the only one to catch anything, which happened on the morning of our departure. But both the kids loved it, casting and playing “dodge the hook” provided them with much entertainment.