I can’t tell you how many times I have been asked “Are you related to Kevin Callan?” OK I can tell you – it’s 4. That may not seem like a lot, but how many times have you been asked if you are related to someone you are not related to? They even tell me . . . Read More about Algonquin Park – Book Recommendation
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Girls’ Trip – Spider Lake – Massassauga Provincial Park
This year we did a ‘girls’ trip’. It has been years since I organized a canoe trip for women only. I met an old friend at a silent retreat last November. At the end of the retreat when we had a chance to talk, we started talking about canoeing – because what else do you . . . Read More about Girls’ Trip – Spider Lake – Massassauga Provincial Park
Creepy Keen Story
I was sitting on the dock with a group of friends talking about how we are all now wearing Keen sandals. I mentioned that I should have bought the ‘tie-dye’ Keens I saw last year because I have been thinking about them ever since. I got home that night and there on Facebook was an . . . Read More about Creepy Keen Story
BioLite Camp Stove
I have never liked starting our stove. It is actually a great stove, but the fuel makes me nervous. It’s an Optimus Nova Multi Fuel stove we purchased from Wild Rock Outfitters. It has worked well for years – no problems. It is light and folds up so it doesn’t take up much space at . . . Read More about BioLite Camp Stove
Finding the Right Wood
We see it all the time, people cutting live trees to burn. Green wood (freshly cut) does not burn, it smolders and smokes. So unless you like smoked marshmallows, you don’t want to use green wood. If green wood doesn’t burn, and cutting live trees damages the forest for future generations, why do it? We . . . Read More about Finding the Right Wood
Saws are Best
According to most camping guides, you don’t want to take an axe into the forest because it is dangerous. I once saw a group of kids chopping wood in bare feet – YIKES. We also had a family member cut the tip of her finger off with a hatchet, luckily, they were only one portage away . . . Read More about Saws are Best
Never Forgotten
Our canoe trips will not be the same without our campfire storyteller. John was part of our paddling group for the past 18 years. John passed away in November 2018, he was 63. We remain in shock. We had just spent two weeks together in August paddling in the Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park. He was . . . Read More about Never Forgotten
Buzzard Lake and Shark Lake
Buzzard Lake They were calling for ‘heavy rain’ – whoever ‘THEY’ are. We decided to go anyway, really what’s a little rain? We had been waiting all year for this trip and didn’t want to delay it another day. We have also learned from experience that if you change your plans because of the forecast, . . . Read More about Buzzard Lake and Shark Lake
Peanut Butter Cookies
After a couple of long portages, my brother-in-law said “Anyone want a peanut butter cookie?”. I had just pulled out a bar of very yummy Lindt chocolate to offer as well. Someone in our group wanted both, so she made a cookie sandwich. The best discovery yet! I have introduced many people to this amazing . . . Read More about Peanut Butter Cookies
Plank Salmon
If you will be arriving early to your first site, and think you will have time to cook dinner over a campfire, then consider plank salmon – a true dream dinner! Tuck a cedar plank into your pack. The cedar will only need to be portaged to your first site because after you use it . . . Read More about Plank Salmon