Weather: Heavy Overcast

We were packed, loaded, and on the road at the very early hour of 6:00 am. After stopping just long enough for breakfast, we made our appearance at the Canoe Lake launch point within Algonquin Park at 10:00 am.

We headed to the park office to sign in, where we were informed of two very important facts that would upset all our careful planning. The first that there was a Fire Ban in effect. We were also told that due to low water levels, Vanishing Pond had vanished and travel to Sunbeam Lake would be extremely difficult, and were advised to change our planned route. we decided that we would go to Burnt Island Lake. We then went to the PortageStore picked out a canoe, a Kevlar Ultralight (42 lbs.), loaded our gear and set off about 12:00 on Canoe Lake. After about 1 hour we reached the first portage 295 m. around the dam into the Western Narrows through TeepeeLake, Fawn Lake and about 3:20 PM. Located a campsite on Little Doe Lake.

Upon arrival, Al stepped onto a downed tree trunk, which turned out to be floating and Al went for his first swim (unscheduled). We setup camp and the rain came down, twice (in buckets!). From Canoe Lake to Little Doe we travelled 14 km. We had dinner, Steak & Orange Rice, with Tea and Banana Bread. About 9:00 We saw 3 Loons chasing each other around the lake, screaming and propelling themselves across the water with their wings.They put on quite a show. We were tired and crashed about 10:30. Although the weather reports earlier called for rain all weekend it didn't rain again that night.

Sunday Aug 3

Weather: Cloudy and cold

We got up at 8:00 A.M. (it was bloody cold and cloudy, it looked like rain) and had Breakfast. The sun came out and the sky cleared. We packed a lunch and got into the canoe and went exploring, looking for a campsite that would get morning sun. We found a campsite on a point and then went on to the next portage on our route to check it out. (1140 m.) We walked the portage it looked fair, 1 fairly steep hill but we didn't think it would be too bad. We returned to the canoe and started back to camp to move to the other campsite.

On the way back we stopped and talked to some girls who were camped in the campsite on the other side of the point that we were on. We had lunch (Salami and Pita bread and a cold drink). We moved to the new campsite and set up camp. By that time it was time for dinner so we made dinner(garlic/Herb Pasta , Tea and Rice Krispi Squares.

later we saw 3 more Loons (Mama, Papa, and the mean little kid.(a little brown fuzz ball)). Karen went to take a picture the (3 rd.) and discovered that there was no film in the camera. (3 lost pictures including one of Al flopped out on a tree trunk out over the water).

Monday Aug. 4

Weather: Sunny and cool

Got up at 8:00 A.M. had breakfast and prepared to leave for Burnt Island Lake. it took about 1/2 hr. to get to the portage 1140 m, where we unloaded and got ready for the trek. It was a tough one and we had to do it in stages the total portage took us 3½; Hrs. including lunch. During that time the wind came up and was gusting to 40 kph. After about 2 km. of paddling, fighting the wind we decided to give it up and found a campsite. Al was surprised in the bush by a Ruffed Grouse. We had supper and crashed about 8:00 PM. The wind continued all night and into the next day.

Tuesday Aug. 5

Weather Sunny and Windy

Got up about 6:00 A.M. and had breakfast (Pancakes and Syrup, coffee and dried fruit) and struck camp. We set out for Little Otterslide Lake and reached the portage 5 km away in about 1 hr 45 min. (not bad considering the wind and rough water.) We had lunch, after unloading the canoe and started the portage 790 m. to Little Otterslide Lake. The portage was in good condition (The Rock Garden!) took about 2½ hrs. After loading the canoe we tried to set off but got stuck on a submerged log. Al tried to free the canoe and slipped off the log and went for a 2 nd. unscheduled swim. "It was Karen's fault!". We then went around to the island and found real nice campsite where a group had stopped for lunch and were just about to leave. the campsite was on the southeast point of the island and very open.

We set up camp and explored the lake a little, on the return we saw a Beaver swimming back to it's lodge and more loons. When it got dark we had a beautiful star show, which we watched, lying on a rock at the edge of the water. Karen saw a shooting star and Al spotted a satellite going over. Al gave a wolf call and it was answered by a wolf about 3 or 4 miles to the south. We then crashed about 11:00.

Wednesday Aug 6
Weather: Sunny and cool

Got up and Al went for a swim (for real!) more like a dip, and had Breakfast. We then cleaned up the campsite and decided to go exploring in Otterslide Lake. We got to the north end of the lake and decided to check out the portages to Big Trout Lake. The first portage was an easy 285 m. flat, and entered into an unnamed pond. We had to walk the canoe through the creek into the pond, due to the low water levels. We paddled across the pond to the next portage about 500 meters away. At the portage, we had lunch, and left the canoe and set off on the 490 m. trek. It was a bit rough with a fairly steep hill going downstream. At the other end we met a couple going upstream, who told us that we would have to walk the canoe most of the next 2 km.

At that point we decided to return to camp and stay an extra day in Little Otterslide. Back at the canoe we started back for the first portage about half way across the pond, we spotted a Cow Moose eating near the creek to the portage. Karen got lots of pictures and the moose was not at all concerned about us. Finally it went back into the woods and we continued back to camp. Back at camp we washed our hair, had a bit of a swim and had Supper . After sitting around for a while after dinner we settled in for the night.

Thursday Aug 7

Weather: Cloudy and Cold

Woke up, it looks like it may rain the air is cold, damp and windy. Since we had decided not to go to Big Trout Lake as scheduled, we did some laundry, went for a walk around the island and just relaxed.

For Supper we had Big Bills Beans and Rice, it was excellent! with Pita Bread (this stuff keeps very well), tea and fruit. We decided to skip the planned Chocolate Pudding in order to conserve fuel (due to the fire ban). After dinner we reorganized every thing for the return trip to Burnt Island Lake.

Friday Aug. 8

Weather: Sunny and cool

Got up at 5:00 A.M. to get an early start before the wind came up. We had breakfast, struck camp and were under way by 7:15. We got to the portage, unloaded and were at Burnt Island Lake by 9:25. We started off down Burnt Island and paddled 7 km. We found a campsite at 12:45. While unloading the canoe, Al was welcomed to the campsite by a Ground Bee. (the bugger got me 6 times in a few seconds on the inside of the wrist. Man that hurt!!) I must have gotten too close to their nest in the trunk of a Cedar tree. We ate lunch and set up camp. While doing repairs, Karen announced she also needed repair. (a sliver between two of her toes. (Looked more like the whole damned forest!). We did some more laundry and then made dinner. After dinner the wind let up so we went for a paddle around the west end of the lake. We met a canoeist from Scotland and after talking to him for a while we returned to camp and crashed. During the night we had a Bull Moose come through our campsite down to the lake for a drink.

Saturday Aug 9

Weather: Sunny and cool

Got up, had breakfast, went for a swim, after which we cleaned up the campsite and went for a Paddle to check out the portage between Burnt Island and Jay Lakes (part of our original route.) We got to the portage and left the canoe and set out to walk the 680 m. to Jay Lake. Came to a hill about 45 m. high, almost straight up, down and up through a little valley and straight down again, with many big boulders to try and navigate around (Forget it, this portage is a killer, we were pooped!, even with no gear or canoe!) Jay Lake was very small about 150 m. across and then another portage. we returned to the canoe and set off back to camp. After fighting a very high wind, arrived back at the campsite, had lunch and crashed for a while.

Later we had Supper and then walked a trail back into the woods (probably one of the Moose runs) and then returned to camp. The Wind let up about 8:00 P.M. so we went for another paddle around the island opposite our campsite. Just after we set off, some idiot set of some fireworks (with the fire Ban still on). We went over to remind him that there was a Fire Ban and that fireworks are illegal in Algonquin and then returned to camp and crashed for an early start for Joe Lake in the morning.

Sunday Aug 10

Weather: Sunny and warm

Got up at 6:30 A.M. and had Breakfast, struck camp. We saw many canoes heading out for the return home. We set off about 8:30 and shortly after, reached the portage to Baby Joe Lake. This portage is 200 m. relatively flat and very well maintained, a real easy one. We then paddled down Baby Joe lake to the next portage 465 m. There were several people at this portage, so we decided to run the creek with Karen astride the bow of the canoe guiding it with her feet (We still hit a rock). It was a little shallow due to the low water levels and we had to get out and walk the canoe through parts of it but it wasn't much trouble. We also bypassed the next portage 165 m. and that part of the river was fun, we navigated it quite well.

The wind came up again about 9:30 and it made Little Joe Lake quite rough. It began to cloud over and the wind got very gusty. Weather was closing in. We found a campsite, set up and and went to explore the small bay next to the campsite which turned into a marsh. We saw some beautiful Water Lillys and a Painted Turtle. When we returned to camp we made dinner. Finally it rained really hard for about 1 hr., but not enough to really wet the ground. Well the rain kept up off and on all night and made everything quite damp. We had crashed early to get an early start for home the next morning.

Monday Aug 11

Weather: Cloudy cold and damp

We got up at 5:30, made breakfast, struck camp and left the campsite at 7:30. there was not much wind until we reached the Western Narrows. We got through the portage around the dam to Canoe lake. About half way down Canoe Lake the wind started to build and the lake got very rough. Fortunately the wind was behind us so paddling was not too bad. We arrived at Portage Store about 10:45 and Karen announced that she would like a hamburger & fries.

We had decided to purchase the canoe that we had been using, (My 16', 90 pound Fiberglass one is getting too much to carry very far). We got that arranged and loaded the car for the trip home, after which we went up to the restraunt at Portage Store and had a great hamburger, fries and coffee. Well worth the money. We left Algonquin about 2:30 and couldn't believe the price of gas, 62 and 71 cents/L.!! Stopped at Swiss Chalet for supper and arrived home about 7:30 pm.

All in all it was a great trip!