Thirty-two enthusiastic lovers of the Canadian outdoors gathered in the solitude of Algonquin Park to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. It was a diversified, but compatible group... four EYC members, five members from the High Park Ski club, a German couple (learning to cope with both the language and the snow shoes), a Welch/Scottish couple (learning to mush the dogs as well as how to extract their rental car from a snow drift), plus another dozen, or so, from the GTA. For about half it was their first visit to the winter wonderland and, in all likely hood, they’ll be back again.
We arrived in -2o sunshine and enjoyed the two-and-a-half kilometres trek to the lodge on fresh snow. On the way in we passed the brand new “hydro station” with two generators working off the river flow. We now have lights, warm (running) water and, for a few brief moments, a boom box.
Another year of added comforts. Still rustic. Still quiet. Just a little more comfortable.
After a hearty dinner, a bonfire on the frozen lake led the countdown to midnight, which again was punctuated with a display of fireworks. The sky, in preparation for the forthcoming overnight snow fall, had turned hazy, but a full moon eliminated the need for flashlights.
New Year’s Day saw lightly-dressed groups departing at different speeds, in different directions, to follow blazed trails and old logging routes. All returned in awe of the sights and sounds they’d encountered. Exchanges of stories surrounded the dinner hour with the brandies being consumed in the outdoor hot tub. Although the tub was at a pleasant temperature, one could not help but notice that the air temperature had been dropping and that more snow seemed to be in the cards.
Next day, a little colder, -12o, and a new blanket of very fluffy snow. While we’d eventually be heading home, others would stay on for another day, with some scheduled to go dog sledding. On our way out we rediscovered an old, abandoned ski trail and were amazed to think that, many years ago, we’d skied (plummeted?) down that hill on arrival day, after dinner, in the dark. Wouldn’t think of doing it in daylight now. But a gorgeous hike it was. Crossing and following a ridge we enjoyed moving through a variety of canopies, of different species and maturities. Moving from a majestic grove of towering pines to beech, then oak and hemlock forests gave us constantly varying light conditions and, where lumbering had previously occurred, we walked through arches of saplings that had been formed by the weight of accumulated snow. At times, with sunlight reflecting off the snow and ice, it was like traveling through a crystal palace.
Although we saw many deer and wolf tracks, the only wildlife we saw were chickadees, a hairy woodpecker, a couple of crows and a circling hawk.
It was another great experience and it’s very likely that we’ll repeat it again next year. Perhaps staying an extra day to partake in the dog sledding.
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New requirements for entry to the USA… Effective June 1, 2009 for land and sea travel into the U.S. a valid Canadian passport, or other document*, is required when entering the U.S (this went into effect for air travellers on January 23, 2007). * a NEXUS or FAST card or an enhanced drivers licence or enhanced identification card from a Canadian province or territory program approved by the U.S.
or
* If 15 years old or under, proof of Canadian citizenship such as a birth certificate or Canadian citizenship card Note; boaters who have an I-68 form are also required to abide by the new travel document requirements. Having a valid travel document and an I-68 will enable you to continue to utilize telephonic clearance procedures currently in place for I-68 holders. Without an I-68, you are required to report, in person, for inspection by a CBP Officer at a port-of-entry each time they enter the U.S. “Alien” boaters who enter the U.S. without a Form I-68 and without reporting for inspection are subject to arrest, a fine, possible seizure of the boat and removal from the U.S. How and where to get your I-68? Form I-68 is no longer renewable by mail. The participating District Offices are… Anchorage, AK Buffalo, NY Chicago, IL Cleveland, OH Detroit, MI Helena, MT Philadelphia, PA Portland, ME Seattle, WA and St. Paul, MN
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