May 2017

Torrance Barrens Hike – Spring Sensory Overload

By |2017-05-16T19:28:05-04:00May 16th, 2017|Categories: #marsh, #rain, #spring, Adventure, alone, bog, bugs, Canada, conservatationarea, Conservation areas, conservationarea, creek, creeks, day trip, Exploring, hike, Hikers, Hiking, hiking trails, hikingtrails, Muskoka, Nature, navigating, navigation, new beginning, Ontario, ontario parks, Ontario Trails, Outdoors, pond, puddles, River, rivers, sagan, senses, sensory overload, swamp, torrance, Trails, Uncategorized, Up north, water filter|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Have you ever been to Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve in Torrance? I headed there on Saturday to check out the trails and go for a short hike. I had been there in the fall with some friends, and another time in the summer,  and really enjoyed the area. I stopped to take a photo of rose petals strewn out over some rocks near a campsite.  I hoped it was a good experience someone [...]

April 2017

McCrae Lake – Kayaking in Kokatat

By |2017-04-25T16:33:35-04:00April 25th, 2017|Categories: Adventure, alone, Canada, conservatationarea, Conservation areas, conservationarea, day trip, Exploring, inspiration, kayak, kayak portaging, Kayaking, loons, Muskoka, Ontario, Outdoors, paddle, paddling, portage, portaging, scenery, scenic, tangii, Uncategorized, water, waterfalls, waterways|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

It was a gorgeous Easter weekend with warm temperatures and beautiful sunshine, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Sunday I managed to get out with a few friends in Niagara for a hike in Niagara, but by Monday, with my return to Muskoka, it was back to below zero and not so lovely or springlike.  I had decided to stay in, relax, get caught up on things until the Fedex truck pulled up with my brand new [...]

Mizzy Lake Trail – Mushy, Melting & Magical

By |2017-04-18T20:57:33-04:00April 18th, 2017|Categories: #frozen, #snow, Adventure, Algonquin, Algonquin Park, alone, animals, Canada, creek, creeks, day trip, Exploring, grouse, hike, Hikers, Hiking, hiking trails, hikingtrails, ice, Mizzy, Mizzy Lake, Mizzy Lake Trail, Nature, Ontario, ontario parks, Ontario Trails, ontarios highlands, Outdoors, Parks, River, rivers, ruffed grouse, rushing water, solo trip, Uncategorized, Up north, walking, walks, water, waterfalls, waterways, winter|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Sunday, April 2nd, 2017, was forecast as a beautiful spring day with high temperatures in Algonquin Park of 9 degrees.  I had been cooped up for a few weekends working on my Canoe Symposium presentation and I needed to get outside! So I got up at 7am, got myself ready, jumped in the car, and headed to Algonquin Park! When I arrived at the trailhead... it was snowing.  Not very warm at all, about -1 [...]

The 6th Annual KW Canoe Symposium- My 1st Presentation!

By |2017-04-11T14:49:03-04:00April 11th, 2017|Categories: #canoe, #canoeists, #speakers, #speech, Adventure, Algonquin, Algonquin Park, backcountry, backcountry camping, camping, camping tips, campsite, canoe camping, canoeing, enthusiasm, kw canoe symposium, Presentation, speeches, Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

The day before the Outdoor Adventure Show, I received an email from David Bain.  David, runs the KW Canoe Symposium and he had asked me if I might be interested in possibly speaking at next years event?  I was incredibly flattered, and honoured, and,  after establishing that I am mainly a kayaker, and finding out  that this fact seemed irrelevant as I do also love to canoe, I said I would think about it.  I [...]

Rugged Trail – Parry Sound – Rugged but Gorgeous

By |2017-04-04T19:51:21-04:00April 4th, 2017|Categories: Adventure, alone, Canada, creek, creeks, frozen waterfalls, georgian bay, hike, Hikers, Hiking, hiking trails, hikingtrails, ice, icefalls, inspiration, Nature, Ontario, Ontario Trails, Outdoors, parry sound, rivers, solo trip, tourism, Uncategorized, Up north, walking, walks, water, waterfalls, waterways, winter|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

At this time of year, I have been heading out on day trips on the weekends so that I can spend more time at home at the computer.  Yes, it sucks a bit, and YES I am dying to go camping... but sometimes you have to take what you can get.  With an upcoming presentation at the KW Canoe Symposium that I am thrilled about, gear reviews due for the brand I ambassador for, Ultimate [...]

March 2017

Copeland Forest- Slippery & Wet

By |2017-03-28T19:26:01-04:00March 28th, 2017|Categories: #forest, Canada, copeland forest, creek, creeks, Exploring, Fun, hike, Hikers, Hiking, hiking trails, inspiration, Nature, Ontario, Ontario Trails, Outdoors, River, rivers, scenery, scenic, sightseeing, ski trail, skiing, snowshoe trails, solo trip, Uncategorized, walking, walks, water, winter|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

This winter I spent a few hours exploring the Scout  Valley Loop Trail .   After I put the post up, one of my blog followers, Ray, sent me a message advising me I should check out Copeland Forest  sometime when I had a free day.  Well, last Sunday, that free day came,  so off I went to explore Copeland Forest. It was a lovely winter/almost spring day. The temperature at Copeland forest when I [...]

Fire and Ice – Skating at Arrowhead by torchlight

By |2017-03-21T17:10:53-04:00March 21st, 2017|Categories: Canada, cold, Exploring, ice, ice skates, ice skating, Ice trail, Nature, Ontario, ontario parks, Ontario Trails, outdoor products, Outdoors, Parks, scenery, scenic, skating, skating trail, skating trails, Trails, Uncategorized, Up north, winter, winter Wonderland|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

About a month ago, my friends from Niagara came up for Galentines weekend. I took them to Arrowhead for a day of winter fun!  While we were there, I saw a sign with the dates for the remainder of the years Fire and Ice. The last date listed was Thursday, March 9th.... my birthday!  I knew right away that is what I wanted to do for my birthday this year! \ A few [...]

Hardwood Hills Ski Bike – Snowshoeing & Cross Country Skiing

By |2017-03-14T20:50:15-04:00March 14th, 2017|Categories: #snowshoe, #snowshoeing, Adventure, Canada, chalet, cold, creek, creeks, Cross country skiing, day trip, Exploring, girls, hardwood hills, hike, Hikers, Hiking, hiking trails, inspiration, Muskoka, Nature, Ontario, Ontario Trails, Outdoors, outdoors jen, scenery, scenic, ski resort, ski trail, skiing, snowshoe trails, Trails, Uncategorized, walking, walks, winter, winter Wonderland, women|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Last year, I had driven to Arrowhead for a day to do some adventuring with my friend Cathy. It was a great day and while I was there I got to snowshoe, skate and cross country ski. I had never cross country skied and was grateful that Cathy was there with me as she'd done it before. We only skied for a few hours, if that, but I thought it was a fun winter activity [...]

Peck Lake w Jack & Paula- Hiking This Trail Since 1976!

By |2017-03-07T16:09:17-05:00March 7th, 2017|Categories: Adventure, Algonquin, Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada, cold, creek, creeks, day trip, Exploring, family day weekend, Fun, hike, Hikers, Hiking, hiking trails, inspiration, Mew Lake, Nature, Ontario, ontario parks, Ontario Trails, Outdoors, Parks, Provincial Park, scenic, snowshoe trails, Trails, Uncategorized, walking, winter, winter camping|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

On Family Day, I was lucky enough to be in Algonquin Park, and it was a gorgeous weekend! It was warm and sunny, but the park was also still full of beautiful white snow! I had just shown my hot tent at the Winter in the Wild festival and enjoyed meeting so many awesome people, but not I was ready for some time with nature.  Thankfully, I was able to share that time with two [...]

February 2017

The Outdoor Adventure Show! -So Many Awesome People in One Place!

By |2017-02-28T18:24:38-05:00February 28th, 2017|Categories: Adventure, animals, booths, Campers, camping, camping tips, Canada, canoe camping, carcamping, Chairs, day trip, Exploring, Fun, kayak, Kayaking, Ontario, ontarios highlands, Outdoor Adventure Show, outdoor products, Outdoors, outdoors show, paddle, paddle canada, paddling, portage, portaging, pot set, Presentation, Provincial Park, tent, tentcamping, trade show, Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

I had an amazing time this past weekend at the Outdoor Adventure Show in Toronto .  I applied to get a bloggers pass and blog about the event and I was picked! I spent two days at the show this year and it was awesome!!!  Last year I was only at the event for one day and felt far too rushed. This year I was able to see all the booths I wanted to, talk [...]

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