With the fall colours at full peak, we headed to Algonquin yesterday to get some photos, and enjoy the weather. It was a beautiful sunny day...and though a lot of the colours seemed dull (cool spring or early frosts? I don't know) we certainly weren't the only ones up there enjoying mother natures show.
I have never in my life seen so many people at Algonquin. Not only was there a team of people directing traffic at the West Gate, but each and every trail parking lot was full. There were people parked on both sides of the roads leading to each parking area, and at least 20-50 cars parked along the sides of the road at each one as well. The most popular trails seemed to be the Lookout Trail, Hardwood Lookout, and Track and Tower. Even Spruce Bog, which was closed, had cars lined up on the sides of the road.
The visitor's centre was a zoo. It was nearly impossible to walk through the doors, and the line ups for the women's bathroom were a nightmare (out the bathroom doors, across the front of the entrance door to the gallery entrance, around the statue and across in front of the big map on the wall) Oddly enough there were no line ups for the men's room.
Still, we had a good day. We'd really hoped Whiskey Rapids trail would be opened back up, but it wasn't. We ate lunch at the Two River's store, getting there just before a big rush of people arrived, and headed to Mew Lake to check out the waterfalls. Not much colour there, just one small maple tree clinging to a rock. Our next stop was the Beaver Pond Trail. We lucked out and got a parking spot in the actual lot, and hiked backwards to the lookout. Mum and the kids went back to the truck with the puppy while dad and I continued on a bit more to take pictures.
We stopped in at the Opeongo Outfitters (Biscuit got a doggy backpack for Christmas...) but they didn't have much ice cream so we headed to the Portage Store. This area was a zoo as well. We got ice cream then went to watch people from the city try their hand at canoeing. There were so many canoes on the water it was amazing. Sadly for us, nobody tipped. That makes us sound a little sadistic, I know. I just am always amazed how many people ignore the quick lesson the rental shop employees give, and end up facing each other in the canoe, paddling with both hands at mid paddle, or tipping over with several thousand dollars worth of camera equipment sitting at their feet.
It did make me wish we'd taken our canoe. I think we might have to keep the kids out of school one day this week and go up for a paddle.
So, I have a few recent trip logs to write up. Biscuit has taken to jumping on my lap whenever I have the laptop out, and he eats the cables if he gets into my office. I apologize for not being around as much lately.
I'll try and post some fall hiking pics...if I can find a hiking trail where there's some good colour!
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