Algonquin Sept 11

 Time to be be on the move again! We pack up on a cloudy morning. Matthew collects lots of birch bark that was laying around...never know if we have any at the next lake or not! (we did)

 Tents away gear away.

 Canoes are packed and we paddle very briefly around that area we explored yesterday.

 Now we can read that red sign we could glimpse in the distance. Warnings of the dam there. We quickly go through this portage, such a short little one -- great for warming up!

 See the line of red buoys in the distance past Melanie? That's how far we had to come from...just a quick little bit of lugging.

 We had second portage (also not big) plus a relatively long lake to paddle through.

 Because we have time, we paddle the whole lake and check out all the campsites. We settle on this one because it has the best tent sites.There is a really pretty one further on, but no flat places to sleep.

 It was an easy day and we have extra time...especially since there are cables in the trees so hanging food is a piece of cake, there is pre cut wood stacked for a fire if we want when we return.

 Without gear we paddle to tomorrow's portage.

  The portage is not overlong (especially without packs and canoes!). Nice waterfall on the way. Near the end we veer off on what looks a bit like a trail.

 Lovely day for a hike. Especially without a canoe. Or a pack.

 The kids scramble like goats to the "High Falls". Very lovely.

 Oh yeah, we did have a pack. Or Nathan did, rather. Need snacks and water and first aid and filter and all that stuff for day trips. Compass maps....it's actually not that light, but compared to his portaging backpack it feels pretty good.

 Back at our site we chill out while Matthew pumps water for us.

We eat a nice warm dinner.

Note the luxuries at this site? A table. Huge pre-cut logs. Hardly like the roughin' it camping we are used to! Almost didn't know what to do with ourselves!

Algonquin Sept 10

We hadn't gone camping this year, and since summer seemed to be putting up another struggle to survive, we took 6 days to go in the back country. Less bugs, cooler weather we thought. Maybe the weather was cooler, but not much.

 We put in at the Achray access point. Further to drive in, but a different section of the part to behold.

 Our first day we set up on the lake we got in on, Achray. It was dreary looking when we set out, but we checked the weather for the rest of the week (while we still had cell coverage) and it looked good after that.

 Everyone but Evelyn helped set up the tents. Three now. What luxury! It was hard to find 3 spots that were level enough and without too many rocks or roots on all of the sites we visited. Good thing they are small!

 Better enjoy a fire to break through the gloomy atmosphere!

 We explored near site which had a "no camping, historic site" sign near by. We couldn't see any traces of anything historical. We saw the channel we would need to follow tomorrow though.

 Dishes duty is not loved by everyone. Daniel and Evelyn worked well together, as neither of them like to do it on their own.

 If we only use dished at breakfast and dinner, and there are five people who take turns, how many times will you need to wash dishes this trip?

Jennifer is Seven!

 Because of our day plans, we opened sibling gifts at home without Dad.

 A first for everything!

 Decor for her room.

 Purse for Sunday (now she has to put aside five minutes Saturday night to sort out what purse and dress combo she is going with the next day)

 

 A chair for her doll. (spoiled girl!)

 So we finally made it onto the ferry to Toronto Island.

 First stop was the petting farm.

 We got to pet some rabbits.

 My how big Jennifer is getting!

 It was hot enough for swimming

 Nathan took some time out to read the pamphlet with it's historical tidbits about the Island.

 The water might look icky but it's great on a hot day!

 The park was fun too.

 Since we squeezed bikes and scooters into the back of the van, we could explore both ends of the park. Behold, the airport.

 It was kinda neat watching the planes take off and land from so close!

Pumpkin pie cake. Happy birthday Jennifer! We are happy to have had seven years with you. We like your enthusiasm amd your willingness to read everything.

Into September

 Another top made by Melanie.

 Picking produce

 Picked produce.

 Going for a bike ride at a trail nearby.

 Checking on the chickens

 A monarch cocoon. We  broke one by accident, and another one we found on our dead sticks disappeared at night. Did a racoon eat it?

We popped in the zoo for homeschool pricing. :)

 Squishing in the boat for the obligatory photo, but not long enough for a good shot. :p

 Hard to believe we are in September already!!
It was roasting at the zoo, so it was nice to cool off at home.