Algonquin Park: Camping Trip Logs: 011 - Meanest Link Part One

Prev | i 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 | Next

Day 11

July 20, 2011 - Cedar Lake Rest Day

No Coffee Refrain this morning and I didn’t crawl out of my hammock until the late hour of 7:30. I found the Scarlett’s and Markus having a cup of coffee and I joined them. Baileys in the coffee once again! It seemed odd getting such a late start to breakfast. But this was our rest day and a big meal of pancakes and peameal bacon was on the menu. We even made a second pot of coffee.

John shows off his cooking skills.

A full kitchen table.

Lounging and equipment repairs where the most ambitious plans we had for the day. We took a minute to compare war wounds, our feet and lower legs were banged up from river walking. But overall everyone was in good shape.

Battered feet.

More battered feet.

I had stayed on this island the previous summer and knew of a tree that was home to a large wolf spider, after several times creeping quietly up to it I was able to get a picture of it. The Scarlett’s even had their tent setup in the same spot I had used when here with my wife.

Wolf spider.

Scarlett's tent.

The day was as hot as Jake had said it was going to be, Markus recorded 31 Celisius in the shade at around 3 PM. The wind was also picking up from the west/southwest but it didn’t interfere with our naps or general lounging. The beach was great for sitting to write or listen to music. At one point the group had a discussion on if it would be possible to do an Algonquin Park circumpadulation, a paddle around the edges of the entire park. A possible future trip?

We enjoyed a late dinner of marinated chicken breasts and rice that was prepared by Markus. The bugs were manageable so far. Markus went out fishing again but I had already put my rod away and didn’t join him. I must be bad luck because it wasn’t long and we heard a yell from him, fish on! He brought it in to shore so we could get a picture of this monster. The bass was so big it even bent one of the hooks on his lure.

Markus finally caught something.

John shows an amazed Markus the bent hook.

The sunset was unbelievable, this site is perfect for them. We set up the camera and fooled around getting some group shots before yakking around the camp fire.

Sunset behind a nearby island.

Sunset on Cedar Lake.

Group shot - Cedar Lake.

Great weather and a great rest day, but tomorrow we would be starting off the second section of our Meanest Link with 10 portages planned. My only disappointment was that nobody wanted to paddle the head wind to check out where the Petawawa River enters Cedar Lake. I guess that will have to wait for a future trip as well.

Canoe on beach.

Prev | i 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 | Next