Summer Bucket List: Easy 3 Day Canoe Trip in Algonquin Park

7 / 2 / 197 / 2 / 19

4 lakes, 3 portages, 5 moose, baby geese herds, mosquitoes, thunderstorms, sun, blue skies, and serene lakes. This is a recipe for a perfect (& not so perfect) easy 3-day canoe trip in Algonquin Park.

This will be my fourth trip with my husband in Algonquin Park and my fifth trip as an adult. I spent my summers at Tanamakoon and canoe tripping as a kid so this place is so special to me. My husband and I wanted a fairly easy trip this year. So I kept the trip to a 3 portage minimum (all were fairly short). We actually could have skipped one because the water was so high).

Previous Algonquin Park Canoe Trips

A recap of our 3 day canoe trip from 2017

Our July canoe trip from 2018 with friends and kids

Our September canoe trip from 2018 with summer camp memories

A Recap of This Year’s Trip

We started out on Saturday. I had pre-paid for our canoes, a lifejacket for me and a paddle for my husband. This allowed us to set out fairly quickly from the Portage Store around noon. After the first portage from Canoe Lake to Joe Lake, we were making good time. We were slightly rushing to ensure we got a good campsite on Burnt Island Lake. As we canoed past Arrowhon Pines Lodge on Joe Lake a canoe coming the other way let us know there was 2 male moose up ahead. We could see canoes veering off to the left and then veering off to the right so we knew where they were.

As we turned to head to the next portage, goosebumps erupted on my arm as a mom and baby came trotting out of the woods to feed. We stayed clear as to not upset mom but wow that was a first for both Mike and I. I’ve seen Moose on canoe trips before but never a mom and pup!

The Route

So from Canoe Lake to Joe Lake, to Baby Joe Lake, to Burnt Island Lake was the route. The route about 15km there and back so a decent 3.5 – 4-hour paddle. We decided not to switch lakes and just stay put for 2 nights. The first campsite we got on Burnt Island Lake was visually nice but with no cross breeze, the bugs were pretty bad.

The First Campsite

We set up camp and made lunch while swatting mosquitoes. I pulled the Honey Lime Chicken and the Mushroom Risotto bags out of the food barrel because I was starving but it was way too much food. So I sealed up the Risotto and just heated it up the next day for lunch.

We were getting a little stir crazy in the tent, so I stripped down naked to attempt skinny dipping but the water was way too cold for me so we piled back in the canoe to hang out on the water. As we watched thunderstorms roll by at a distance we eventually headed in when it looked like they were headed our way. We packed down for the night and as the rain started piled into the tent for the evening. It was around 8:30 pm when the rain and thrunder started so we just went to bed.

The Second Campsite

The next morning we packed up and found another campsite on the other side of the lake on a bit of point with a breeze running through it. A recipe for less bugs!

We set up camp mid-morning and I made us some apple cider to sip on while enjoying the breeze and fewer bugs. Mike set up our Hammocks which we struggled to relax in. Every time we climbed in, Rogue would get so upset that we were leaving her and jump up and bark so we took turns enjoying the hammock and entertaining our needy daughter lol.

We had a great 3-hour nap on Sunday and then I made us Chicken Pad Thai for dinner. Sleeping in the tent this year was pretty hilarious. Rogue likes to sleep in between us, so we brought an extra sleeping pad and a flannel blanket for her but she kept trying to sleep on our sleeping bags. We’ll probably spoil her next canoe trip and get her a dog sleeping bag. And yes they do exist.

This was the best meal by far of the whole trip. I had it for a lunch on the last trip and liked it. This time I added Chicken to the Pad Thai bag and measured out the water required for both bags and

just dumped it into the one bag. The key tip, is to actually let it sit for 20 mins after dumping in the hot water, stir, let it sit a little longer and then enjoy. It comes with a small bag of peanuts to sprinkle on top!

The sunset was absolutely perfect from our new campsite and we even got an amazing sunrise as well. While we were sad we weren’t able to snag our campsite from 2 years ago. This one definitely made up for it. And while the bugs were pretty bad, we made the most of it, including constantly swatting them off Rogue.

I had planned to make pancakes for breakfast on Monday. However, I didn’t feel like starting a fire (it’s hard to cook pancakes on the camp stoves because they are so hot). So we opted for oatmeal and really good coffee. For Christmas, I got Mike a new Espresso maker from MEC and we were able to put it to good use on the trip. Including our camp mugs from my friend’s company Crow Foot Media.

Pack In, Pack Out Rule

The rule for any camping trip is always pack out what you pack in. As we headed back to civilization on Monday we picked up any trash we could find on our campsite (that had been left by previous campers). I even grabbed garbage from a few portages threw it in our trash bag. Ontario Parks gives you a yellow trash bag so you don’t leave anything behind. We’ve definitely filled it before on other trips. This year we left with only half a bag. That felt like a nice accomplishment.

Oh, and the 5th moose (antlerless) was seen in the exact same spot we saw the other 4 (so it may have been the same mom) on the last day as we were leaving the park. But all in all, that’s the most moose I’ve ever seen in my life which made it an amazing trip. I almost forgot the geese herds. There was 3 on the last day. Babies flanked by 2 adult geese just crossing in front of our path.

And the best part of my trip… get ready for the cheese… was definitely spending quality time with our pup and my husband 😉

2019 Summer Bucket List

6 / 17 / 196 / 17 / 19

Another year, another summer means ANOTHER SUMMER BUCKET LIST!

If you want to revisit the archives here are my bucket lists from year’s past!

2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013!

I started making seasonal bucket lists in 2013 after being single for the first time in 4 years. I wanted to learn how to find myself again, do things that I enjoyed and push myself out of my comfort zones. Throughout the years the lists have been amazing for doing things with friends, on my own, on dates or with my now husband!

This year I divided up into things I love and new things I’d like to try!

Former Loves

After buying a stand-up paddleboard a few years ago, I love making sure I get out on the water every summer on the board. And now that Rogue loves it we usually bring it with us for weekend adventures near water.

We had an amazing 3-day canoe trip to Algonquin Park 2 years ago. I re-booked a campsite on Burnt Island Lake this year. I want to try and snag the last campsite we were on.

We usually only go up to Mike’s family’s cottage for the May long weekend and for Thanksgiving. I think we’ll head up for another long weekend this summer to hopefully get amazing weather.

Of course, I want to fit in some golf and more road biking…

After upgrading our backyard patio and getting this firepit, we plan on spending as many nice evenings out in the back as we can!

And while we’ve enjoyed outdoor drive-in movie’s before I found a cool Ottawa event called Capital Pop Up Cinema so we’ll try this out this year.

Trying Something New

And for new things, this year… Mike actually asked if we could go glamping. So we’ve booked a tent I found on AirBnB. If it’s amazing I’ll do a recap post later in July.

Other than that, we want to go visit the Bonnechere Caves a short drive from Ottawa.

I really wanted a slow shutter sparkler photo at our wedding but now I can set up a photoshoot just to get a picture of sparklers spelling out my name 🙂

I’m going to need to stay up late to catch a firefly, go night swimming and I’ve booked a girl’s weekend to swim under the covered bridge in Wakefield.

Last but not least, Mike and I want to do some outdoor rock climbing. Thankfully, he has all the equipment and I’m comfortable top rope climbing so we’ll scout out a few places early on a weekend morning.

What do you have on your bucket list this summer?

Winter Bucket List: Cabin Weekend

3 / 11 / 195 / 2 / 19

Perfect Winter Cabin Weekend. Check.

I am absolutely in love with our winter bucket list and equally in love with our amazing, relaxing weekend in the woods.

I somehow came across the Raven House Getaway Cabin on Instagram and after messing them to see if they would accept 2 dogs, it was a go and I booked a weekend in March.

We drove up after work on Friday and arrived just as the sun was going down. We heated up some leftover meals from the week, started a fire in the wood stove and settled in. I had brought a few books and Mike had an audiobook playing and the pups paced trying to figure out their new surroundings.

Tired from the week, we turned in early, knowing we’d be up with the sun (due to all the windows in the loft bedroom). We woke up to pure bliss, perfect morning light and after re-starting the fire in the stove, letting the dogs out to relieve themselves, I made coffee and started the day.

We went to Natural Food Pantry on our way out of town after running out of coffee last week. The only bag of coffee that was ground was a bag of expensive Bulletproof Coffee but without knowing if there was a grinder there we grabbed it. Ps. There is totally a grinder and we could’ve gotten any bag. LOL. I sipped on my coffee, while watching the squirrels taunt our pups.

We finally let the dogs out on the porch so they could try and catch the squirrels, and read some more. I did some business planning & dreaming in the loft bed.

We got a bit of cabin fever so we went for a walk to get firewood which was piled up near where we had parked the truck and let the dogs wander.

Please notice the fur missile flying past us!

Also, not sponsored but if you need a winter toque, I’m wearing Anupaya. A locally owned company that believes we are responsible for protecting and preserving our wild spaces. A company and mission I can get behind.

Also not sponsored but I legit lived in my Roots onesie all weekend and loved it. I definitely need more do nothing weekends booked into our schedule. Stat.

For those asking about renting the cabin, it was easy to do over airbnb. If you’ve never roughed it before be forewarned that there is no running water, you’ll use a compost toilet (with cedar chips, which makes it smell amazing), there is no electricity or fridge (you’ll use an ice box) and spotty cell service although we both had full bars.

For us this is simply divine and glam compared to winter camping but I thought I’d mention it for those who are used to more cottage comforts.

2018 / 2019 Winter Bucket List

11 / 19 / 185 / 2 / 19

The first snow has fallen and I’m prepared with a Winter Bucket List for the remainder of 2018 and into 2019!

Nobody really loves winter. Unless you’re a husky or a polar bear. So to make the most of it, my tradition of creating a Winter Bucket List continues!

Here are links to Winter Bucket Lists of the past

2017/2018

2016/2017

2015/2016

We already have plans in January or March (depending on how the winter is – we need a frozen lake) to go up to our friends cottage. We’re going to knock off ice fishing, snowmobiling and build a quincie in that weekend so that’ll give us a great start. I’m sure we’ll manage a few others but I love having a plan set up even before I posted the list to the blog.

I’ve been searching for unique AirBnBs in the Ottawa area or within a 1 – 2 drive of the city to find a really unique cabin for Mike and I and then we’ll also get in Winter Camping as well cause that’s been our thing since the begining.

Will you make a Winter Bucket List this year?

Fall Bucket List: Apple Picking

10 / 22 / 185 / 2 / 19

I’ve never gone apple picking in the fall. Well not that I can remember so I really wanted to cross this off my fall bucket list.

I had a coffee date planned with my friend, Shannon, so we decided to knock off apple picking as well!

We drove out to Mountain Orchards. The drive was amazing. The weather was perfect and all the trees had changed color so it was feast on the eyes as we drove out. The orchard wasn’t too busy (I’m assuming September is much busier) so it was a great afternoon.

We walked the length of the orchard near the back to pick Golden Delicious (which are my fav) so it was also perfect timing to leave it to the end of the season and grab my favourite kind of apple.

I was so excited to get home, wash them (I pop them all in the sink with some water and a few drops of lemon essential oil) and then cut some up for apple crisp and then more to freeze for future apple pies!

In addition, I dragged Mike and our pup Rogue out to Loblaws to pick up pumpkins so we could decorate our front door area! I grabbed a new mat from Wayfair and lots of pumpkins and fall mums!

Happy Fall!