Inhale........exhale........shall we get started??? Finally after a recent whirlwind of outdoor activities I get a chance to sit still, breathe and collect my thoughts. Some down time to go over our recent trips and highlight some of our great moments and not so great moments. Since the return from our Kawartha Highland canoe trip it has been chaotic to put it lightly. The drying of gear, purchasing new gear, throwing out damaged gear, gear, gear, GEAR! Not to mention the number of times I have vacuumed and cleaned out the van that had collected pine needles, sand, mud, ice cream stains, coffee cups and all other remnants of a well used vehicle. I don't know who is more tired out, me, or my shop vac. Throw a few days of work in here and there plus setting up the Wife and boy for there own adventures before I head off to the 9-5 and you could say my hands were full, and it isn't over yet. Inhale...........exhale.............and it is all worth it. I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy every step of the way. So moving forward.
Our Kawartha Highlands canoe trip was a success followed by a couple beach days at Sandy Beach, Buckhorn where on our second visit we showed Hiker some canoe safety. The following week I was able to pin down my to oldest children for a couple beach days at Lakefield Beach and Sandbanks P.P. for a day trip. Two days later we lose our two oldest to their social lives and work schedules and find ourselves heading to Bon Echo P.P. for some car camping with our boy Hiker and good friends Ivan, Shannon and their boy Noah.
This was no ordinary car camping trip. I was about to go camping with a childhood friend that I have known for 32 years, his Wife and four year old boy. My friend Ivan and I have been close over these years however there never seems to be time for us to camp together. That being said he is not much of a camper (it`s true Ivan) but we were about to change that. It would be a game changing event as it would be the first time Ivan would be camping with his wife and his boy. He was excited, I was excited, our boys were excited, the wives were excited, everyone was buzzing with excitement. We arrived at the park on Saturday at Noon on the August long weekend. Our site was shared as we hosted most of the gear to make their experience more enjoyable in the Hardwood Hills section of the park. Over the weekend we spent time at the beach, small trail hikes, canoeing and visiting different parts of the park. As much as we could cram in over the weekend. The biggest joys came in watching our boys who reminded us exactly of us at that age, their wonder, curiosity, enjoyment, laughs, cries, arguments, makeups all brought us back to our days of youth. I had opportunities to pass on some camping tips and tricks to one of my best buds that I have gained during my experiences outdoors and hopefully passed on a bit of my passion for the outdoors onto him inspiring Ivan to setup that tent a few more times in the year. It was a great weekend with great food and friends and everyone was safe and happy at the end. Success in my books!
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| The Four Horsemen :) |
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| The Drive to Bon Echo |
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| Our great site in Hardwood Hills |
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| Ivan`s charcoal grill cooking up some steaks |
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| The Mazinaw Rock |
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| Hiker refilling his water gun for another attack |
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| Cloudy beach day |
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| Happy Campers |
So now I get a bit of down time to plan some Autumn trips and spend some time around the house ticking off a couple lines of that "Honey Do" list. My Wife and Hiker head up to the Haliburton Scout Reserve for some camping on Lake Kennabi while I work this weekend. I think Hiker has spent more time in a tent this Summer than his own bed. I will highlight his Summer in its entirety in a future blog post. Until then I will continue with the juggling act that keeps me motivated, invigorated and healthy and wait for our next trip. Another car camping trip with another family of friends for five days in Awenda P.P.
Until next time, adventure awaits!
Johnny- Two4adventure
This was no ordinary car camping trip. I was about to go camping with a childhood friend that I have known for 32 years, his Wife and four year old boy. My friend Ivan and I have been close over these years however there never seems to be time for us to camp together. That being said he is not much of a camper (it`s true Ivan) but we were about to change that. It would be a game changing event as it would be the first time Ivan would be camping with his wife and his boy. He was excited, I was excited, our boys were excited, the wives were excited, everyone was buzzing with excitement. We arrived at the park on Saturday at Noon on the August long weekend. Our site was shared as we hosted most of the gear to make their experience more enjoyable in the Hardwood Hills section of the park. Over the weekend we spent time at the beach, small trail hikes, canoeing and visiting different parts of the park. As much as we could cram in over the weekend. The biggest joys came in watching our boys who reminded us exactly of us at that age, their wonder, curiosity, enjoyment, laughs, cries, arguments, makeups all brought us back to our days of youth. I had opportunities to pass on some camping tips and tricks to one of my best buds that I have gained during my experiences outdoors and hopefully passed on a bit of my passion for the outdoors onto him inspiring Ivan to setup that tent a few more times in the year. It was a great weekend with great food and friends and everyone was safe and happy at the end. Success in my books!
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