2012 Canoe trip

Canoeing is always an adventure, not just for the activity itself, but for the places it takes you. We canoe the river within the city, but it always seems like a warm up for the main event - canoeing that takes you days into the wilderness. Our friends convinced us to pack up and join them on a trip into the Experimental Lakes area of Northwestern Ontario. Only a little way from the highway, and still within cell service range, and yet the feeling of wilderness is all around. 

This narrow creek, opening alongside a small forest road, is a gentle introduction to the adventure. No sign yet of the winds to come once you get out onto the open water.

 Of course squally weather, after it drives you off the water, rewards you with this - a magnificent rainbow!

 And there's nothing quite so tasty as bannock cooked over a fire. In this case, the grill was left at the campsite by previous users, and the fire ring already set up. Signs of many other users, even though we didn't see many in the flesh while we were there.

 The light shades from gold to coral on its way to pink. The sun is below the horizon yet still providing light generously from the few clouds still above us.

 Evening is the perfect time to try each other's canoes, just for a quick trip round the island.

 The sunset colours create a surreal experience reflecting off the lake. Surrounded by rose, salmon, and every tint of pink laid over the crystal blue of the twilight sky.

 As the colours wane the wind eases too, and the ripples become smaller as the lake settles in for the night. Infused with all the shades of sunlight, we also prepare for sleep.