No matter what season, Algonquin Park has one of the loudest calls of
the wild in Ontario.
In 1893, Algonquin became the first Provincial Park in
Ontario. Since then, "as an increasingly important refuge from our busy,
urban way of life, Algonquin's 7,635 square kilometers of forests, bogs,
lakes and rivers serve as an important living link with a vanishing past."
park guide
Some people come for the Canoeing, Kayaking, Fishing and Camping.
Some people come for the trails, walking, hiking, biking and scenic drives.
Some people come for the history and learning.
Algonquin offers many programs covering the early development of the park,
its Indigenous peoples, logging, conservation, artists, geology, forest, water and
species management and conservation issues. Some of those attractions include
Historic sites like the Logging Museum, Visitor Centre, Interpretive Trails,
Art Gallery, Discovery Programs and Cache Lake Historic Site.
The Group of Seven were inspired by Algonquin.
Because of Covid, museums and programs were closed but of course,
masked shoppers, in limited numbers, could purchase souvenirs in the
two shops. The Outfitters were open for rentals.
Some people come for the Flora and Fauna.
Beavers are given credit for creating shallow lakes that form Bogs over 400
years ago. Sedge plants create floating mats for various aquatic plants and
the beavers keep the central waters flowing to this day.
The Moose head hangs in Killarney Lodge. This was our first trip where
we did not see any Moose out foraging in the park. Constance and I
were out for a drive one evening, hoping to spot wildlife. We saw a
wolf heading in to the bush but he was quite far away. We enjoyed the
beautiful star studded sky but rushed back into the car as we heard
footsteps crashing through the woods nearby.
heading back to the lodge we came across a very tragic and shocking
scene. A Moose lay dead in our lane on the highway and we saw the
Mother watching from a hillock on the opposite side of the road. She
slowly turned away into the forest. Whomever had struck the Moose had
left the scene of the accident.
We called a number of emergency services until we connected with the
OPP who sent help to deal with the Moose. Constance had very aptly
slowed and avoided the body that lay totally across our lane and stretched
into the oncoming one. At the bottom of hill in the pitch black night, the
tragedy was in a very dangerous location for oncoming cars.
Both distraught, it took a long while to process the event. Seeing that
magnificent animal, lying dead after innocently following its Mother
was devastating.
As the saying goes "the animal was not crossing the road, the road was
crossing the forest!" Muhammad Ali
Some people come for the forests, trees and rock.
Many trees and mighty branches have sadly been removed
so roads can be widened to accommodate tour buses. :(
Some people come to spot and watch the birds.
Gray Jay
Canada Geese
Some people come for relaxation, solitude and inspiration.
Some people come for the lakes, rivers, bogs and ponds.
Some people come for the photography.
ready for her selfie
In October, when Constance and I were there, many people come
to Algonquin for the COLOURS and Autumn 2020 was stupendous!
Obviously, I go to Algonquin for all of the above and more.
My experiences are enriched with my personal tour guide,
friend Constance with her extensive knowledge of the park.
Each visit to Algonquin Provincial Park fills my soul with
memories that will last forever.
Hope to meet you on a hiking path there one day.