Septembers are usually perfect months to go camping—no bugs, no screaming kids, not too many people, and the air seems to be much nicer and crispier, making coffee taste better and campfires feel much nicer, as the temperatures are significantly lower. So I was pleasantly surprised when my friends, Guy and Robin, invited me to join them for a four-night camping trip to Mikisew Provincial Park in Ontario, from September 1 to 5, 2025. I didn’t hesitate for long—September camping is about as close to perfection as it gets.
Eagle Lake
Although I had visited at least 50 provincial parks in Ontario, this was my first visit to Mikisew. I had heard of the park, but somehow never made it there, as I usually ended up camping either in Restoule Provincial Park (just north of Mikisew) or Arrowhead Provincial Park (south of Mikisew). Mikisew had apparently been hiding in plain sight all these years.
The park is located on Eagle Lake, from which it derives its name. “Mikisiw” (ᒥᑭᓯᐤ) is a Cree word meaning “eagle.” The word is also connected to similar terms in related Algonquian languages, such as the Ojibwe “migizi” for “bald eagle.” A noble name, and one that already suggested a certain wilderness gravitas.
Since the day of departure, September 1, 2025, was Labour Day, the vast majority of cars were heading in the opposite direction—to Toronto. Indeed, some stretches of Highway 400 were jammed solid, whereas I had absolutely no problem driving north. I stopped at Tim Hortons just off Highway 400 in King City, my de rigueur stop for decades (43°53'42.1"N 79°33'28.6"W / 43.895030, -79.557930). There were relatively few people inside (sometimes the lineups are so long that I simply give up), and I happily got my extra-large decaf and bagel. Inside the food court I AGAIN noticed a big sign: “Pumpkin is Here” (Starbucks advertising Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Pumpkin Spice Latte). I immediately took a photo and AGAIN sent it to Catherine with the message: “It once more says that you are here, but I still can’t find you!” Just to clarify: I often call Catherine “Pumpkin!”
Park Office
After I passed Huntsville, I realized that I had forgotten to bring mustard—an unforgivable camping omission. Just a week earlier, I had watched a vlog by a Polish couple who live in a cabin in the forest in that area, LuckyLuna Forest. That vlog showed them driving to Tim Hortons and Value Mart near Burks Falls, just off Highway 11. Inspired (and mustard-deprived), I decided to make a quick detour. Unfortunately, the store was closed because it was Labour Day. I had expected it to be open—after all, the meaning of “Labour Day” could easily be interpreted as “Working Day,” but apparently not by grocery stores,
Just a week before the trip I had purchased a new Garmin DriveSmart 66 GPS unit, as my old one had become… well, too old. The new unit was very nice—certainly faster, with more options and features. Shortly after getting back on Highway 11 following my unsuccessful grocery mission, my GPS told me to exit the highway. I was surprised, as I thought I should take the next exit, but I obediently followed its instructions. Soon it led me onto unpaved roads, where I did not see a single car, and eventually it let me to my “final destination,” which turned out to be the middle of nowhere. Apparently I had missed the actual park entrance and had to make a U-turn to get there. So much for cutting-edge navigation technology.
The online check-in for my booking was fast and simple (I did it on my home computer just before leaving). As a result, I didn’t even have to go into the office to register upon arrival—a process that in the past had sometimes involved waits of up to one hour. Paper permits, which once had to be displayed on campsite posts and vehicle dashboards, had also been eliminated. My confirmation letter served as my camping permit, and my license plate was used to verify my reservation. Campers were still required to carry proof of purchase while in the park, either digitally or in printed form.
Near the park office I ran into a park warden and ended up chatting with her. She was a super friendly, outgoing, and knowledgeable young woman who readily answered all my questions. She also mentioned that there had been no black bear sightings in the park for several months—a comforting bit of information, especially when sleeping in a tent.
View from my campsite towards the lake
My friends had booked campsite #158 (45°49'21.5"N 79°30'34.5"W / 45.822630, -79.509580), which was relatively private. I could have stayed there too, but only two cars were allowed per campsite, and I would have had to park my car quite far away. Instead, I booked a separate campsite, #153 (45°49'20.4"N 79°30'36.9"W / 45.822320, -79.510260), about 15 meters from theirs. Both sites were in the Hardwood Campground. From my campsite I could see the comfort station, which had bathrooms, showers, and laundry facilities and was cleaned daily. Since the adjacent campsite remained vacant throughout my stay, we could cut through it and reach the bathrooms in under a minute. Both campsites faced opposite sides of the road but were otherwise nicely sheltered from neighboring sites by forest and vegetation. My campsite cost $43.76 plus HST, for a total of $49.44 per night per campsite (not per person).
My campsite #153
While setting up my tent, disaster struck: one of the tent poles suddenly snapped. I had quite a bit of trouble fixing it temporarily, but eventually I found a nail that somehow managed to keep the broken pole together for the duration of the trip. Once home, I contacted the Eureka company and was told to bring the pole to Burlington, where it could be fixed free of charge.
Our campsites had electrical hookups, so most other campers had RV trailers or motorhomes. We were probably the only ones camping in tents. As I had been interested for some time in a small travel trailer, I spoke with several RV owners. One of them had a Hélio trailer made in Quebec, which was very small and light. They offered plenty of useful advice about their campers, towing, and the right vehicles to pull them. Buying a trailer is a major decision, which is why I try to talk to as many trailer owners as possible.
Campsite #158
We brought portable electric heaters to take advantage of the available power, and it was wonderful to crawl into a warm tent and stay that way all night. Nighttime temperatures dropped below +10°C, and there had even been a frost advisory for the area a week earlier. Thanks to the heater, the tent stayed warm, dry and cozy, and my sleeping bags never became damp—even during rainy weather. This was only the second time in my life that I had used an electric heater while tent-camping, and I have to say it was an excellent idea. Maximum comfort, minimum moisture.
Canoes for rent
I spent most of my time at campsite #158 with my friends (and Robin’s new dog, a Boston Terrier). We talked a lot, and in the evenings we had very pleasant campfires that often lasted until 1:00 a.m. It was deeply relaxing. Since both Guy and Robin were professional computer experts, many of our conversations revolved around artificial intelligence and other computer-related topics, and I learned quite a few new things.
We spent a lot of time around the campfire
Robin also gave me a copy of A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson. I read it in January–February 2026, and it turned out to be an excellent book. It chronicles Bryson’s attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail during the spring and summer of 1996. Written in his trademark comic style, the book mixes accounts of his walk with broader discussions about the trail’s history, ecology, conservation issues, and the people he encountered along the way. A delightful and highly recommended read.
Solomon's Plume (Maianthemum racemosum)
Hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides)
Common Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
The only wild animals I saw during the trip were chipmunks, squirrels, blue jays, and woodpeckers. Fortunately, mosquitoes were almost non-existent, and no other bugs bothered us. I also managed to identify several plants growing around our campsites, including Solomon's Plume (Maianthemum racemosum), Hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides) and Common Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis).
JACK-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), already named after me!
One plant species in particular caught our attention. There was only one specimen, bearing a single fruit of a striking bright red color. Since none of us were plant-identification experts, we had no idea what it was. “What if I discovered a new plant?” I thought. “Then it could be named after me!” With the help of plant-identification websites and their knowledgeable members, it turned out that this flowering plant had already been discovered—and indeed, named after me: JACK-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum). I had heard of this botanical namesake for years, but this was the first time I had ever seen it in real life.
Park beach
I drove around the park a few times and generally liked the layout and the campsites. While most electric sites were occupied, quite a few non-electric campsites were vacant. In terms of privacy and overall feel, some of those non-electric sites actually seemed superior. Most campsites were spacious and could easily accommodate larger trailers. There was also a nice group campsite, set apart from the main camping area and close to the lake.
Boat launch
There was cell coverage throughout the park, and we never had any issues making phone calls or browsing the internet. Unfortunately, this is still not the case in some other parts of southern Ontario, where coverage remains spotty or non-existent.
The Eagle Lake Narrows Country Store
I noticed park vehicles driving around from time to time, patrolling the park, but there was no excessive noise and probably park wardens did not have much work. After 10:00 p.m., the park became very quiet, with most campers either asleep or sitting silently around their campfires.
Cottage owners' names
The park had a few hiking trails (which I didn’t do this time) as well as a golf course. Inside the park office there was a small store selling souvenirs, postcards, clothing, stickers, coffee, firewood, and ice, although it closed at 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Not far from the park—about 3 km by car or roughly 2 km on foot—was the Eagle Lake Narrows Country Store (45°50'05.0"N 79°29'57.9"W / 45.834722, -79.499417). The store offered friendly service and sold firewood, groceries, coffee, fries, pizza, and “everything you will need to keep you going.” I spent about 10 minutes chatting with the owner, a very nice and outgoing lady who talked about her travels, especially in Central and South America, and showed me photographs of black bears taken at a nearby garbage dump.
Little Free Library
Nearby there was also a Little Free Library, and I can never resist checking those out. It wasn’t full, but it contained a very interesting book: Rise to Greatness: The History of Canada From the Vikings to the Present byConrad Black, autographed by the author. I decided to take it.
On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, late in the evening, it started raining. Expecting rain, we had set up a tarp over the table and partially over the fire pit. The rain came and went, and the temperature dropped. Still, we stayed around the fire until 1:00 a.m.
We set up a tarp and thus were able to sit around the fire despite the rain
It rained throughout the night and probably stopped just before noon, when I woke up. It was noticeably colder outside, although I didn’t feel it in my tent thanks to the heater, which kept everything warm and cozy. After a quick breakfast and some stretching, I headed to campsite #158. I knew Guy was planning to leave one day early, but I still expected to see him—yet he was already gone. As he later explained, he woke up to rain, waited until it stopped, packed up, and left. Robin, who had planned to stay until Friday, said that his dog was shivering and decided to cut the trip short by one day as well, especially since the forecast called for more rain. Packing up and heading home seemed like the sensible choice for me too. Before 4:00 p.m. I was ready and soon left the park.
When I was leaving the park, there were puddles on my campsite
Naturally, my GPS once again tried to send me onto unpaved roads. This time I ignored it and drove in the opposite direction, reaching Highway 11 much faster. My only stop was at Tim Hortons in Burks Falls. There was no traffic, and it took me just over three hours (297 km) to get home.
All in all, it was a very pleasant trip, and I really needed the relaxation. I also “discovered” a new provincial park, which turned out to be quite nice. I certainly wouldn’t mind camping at Mikisew again in the future.
Our campsite did not look like this one, but I wish it had!
In
this blog, I share my memories of Poland in the 1970s, as well as
recollections from later years and from my life in Canada. I also
write about my collection of autographs, photographs, pins and other
objects connected with my life, including the stories behind them.
The
blog is available in two language versions: English
and Polish.
VIDEO FROM THIS TRIP IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS BLOG OR YOU CAN WATCH IT HERE
INTRODUCTION:
RETURNING TO THE FRENCH RIVER—A SUMMER OF BLUEBERRIES, RAINS, AND
MEMORIES
For
decades, the French River has been a magical
destination for canoeists, campers, and nature lovers. Known for its
pristine waters, rugged islands, and historical significance as a fur
trade route, it has inspired countless adventures, including mine.
July 2024 offered another chance to reconnect with
this iconic river—this time, with Chris,
our canoe, and an appetite for blueberries (and, admittedly, just a
tiny hope for decent fishing).
The map of the area we were camping. Our campsite is in red
We
set out from Mississauga, navigating post-storm
flooding(120 mm of rain
in just one hour),highway detours,
and unexpected downpours, only to discover once again that the French
River rewards patience and curiosity. From hidden peninsulas and
quiet bays to encounters with fellow campers, buzzing deer flies, and
a few mysterious sounds from the rapids, the river reminded us why it
has captivated adventurers for centuries. Along the way, we
discovered that the world is indeed a small place, with paths
crossing in the most unexpected ways—sometimes through a blog,
sometimes through shared memories of a campsite decades old.
The map of the area we were camping. Our campsite is in red
Whether
revisiting old haunts like Boomerang/Banana
Island,
meeting the friendly and remarkable Alex Strachan at
the Lodge at Pine Cove, or just losing ourselves in blueberry
bushes, this trip combined the joys of wilderness, nostalgia, and
gentle surprises that only a river like the French can provide.
Satellite map of our campsite #313 (#322)
LEAVING
VERY RAINY MISSISSAUGA, CAMPING TWO NIGHTS IN GRUNDY LAKE PROVINCIAL
PARK AND SURVIVING A DOWNPOUR
We
left Toronto on July 16, 2024,
right after the huge rainstorm (120
mm in just a few hours)
that caused widespread flooding across the GTA
(Greater Toronto
Area).
It took us almost 2 hours
to drive from Mississauga to King
City, as the 410
was closed and the 401
resembled a parking lot. After over
5 hours
and 316 km,
we arrived at Grundy Lake Provincial Park, where we
spent2 nights on campsite #118
(45°55'44.8"N
80°33'02.3"W / 45.929111, -80.550639),
waiting for the weather to improve—and I’m glad we did, as we
experienced extremely heavy
rains the next day.
While
staying in the park, we drove to the Hungry Bear Restaurant,
the Trading Post, the French River Visitors’
Center, and the town of Noëlville. On our
drive back to the park viaHighway
400, we were hit by
a wave of such intense rain that visibility dropped to just a few
meters. I had no choice but to pull over and wait it out. By the time
we returned to the park, there were huge puddles everywhere—but
our Eureka El Capitan 3 tents did not leak.
Grundy Lake Provincial Park, Ontario-our campsite #118
The
campsite itself was quite nice. There was a canoe launch just across
from our spot, and I noticed a beautiful wooden canoe. Its owner was
staying on the adjacent campsite, and we spent some time chatting
about canoes and canoeing in general. It turned out he was also from
Mississauga, so we were practically neighbors!
Grundy Lake Provincial Park, Ontario-in front of our campsite #118, after a huge downpour
CROSSING
PATHS WITH CAMPER CHRISTINA
I
often say that the world is a small place. It may sound like a
cliché, but it’s true! In February, 2025, I went
to the annual Outdoor Adventure Show in Mississauga,
where I met Camper Christina, creator of the popular
YouTubechannel as well as her blog,
which I had been following for about2 years.
She
has completed numerous canoe and camping trips, many in the winter
(and she still sleeps in a tent heated with a wood stove), and posts
very detailed videos documenting her adventures. While watching her
videos or reading her blog, I often spotted familiar
areaswhere
I had paddled and camped in the past—sometimes even recognizing
specific campsites I had stayed on!
Campsite #118 in Grundy Lake Provincial Park, Ontario
Recently,
while reading her blog, I realized our paths had crossed again: in
2015, she had camped at this
very campsite (#118) in
Grundy Lake Provincial Park, and she mentioned it here.
GRUNDY
LAKE SUPPLY POST AND THE LODGE AT PINE COVE ON WOLSELEY BAY
On
July 18, 2024, we packed up and drove to Grundy
Lake Supply Post (45°54'45.2"N
80°33'34.2"W / 45.912556, -80.559500)
to get gas. It used to be located at the intersection of Highways
69 & 522, and
in 2010,
Catherine and I
bought our canoe there. Because of the construction of the new
Highway 400
(which, according to the owner, “was going to pass through my
kitchen”), the Supply Post relocated one
kilometer east,
just across from the entrance to Grundy Lake
Provincial Park. Lo and behold, it was the same owner
dispensing gas! He recognized me and even remembered selling us the
canoe 14 years ago.
The Lodge at Pine Cover, our put-in point. We had to carry our equipment and the canoe on these stairs
After
getting our camping permits
from the French River Visitor Center, we paid
a quick visit to Noëlville again and then drove to
The Lodge at Pine Cove on Wolseley Bay (46°05'39.3"N
80°13'45.2"W / 46.094250, -80.229222).
It was a very nice place, though we couldn’t access the water
directly—we had to use stairs to carry the canoe and our gear.
Parking was also a few hundred meters from the put-in point. After
just over an hour, we were finally on the water, commencing our
search for a campsite.
CHANGES
IN FRENCH RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS AND LOOKING
FOR A CAMPSITE
During
my first trip to the French River in August,
1995, it was a park, but there were no official
campsites—camping was free. Several years later, a payment system
was introduced along with designated
and numbered campsites,
which in 2024
cost about $10 per
person per day
(with some discounts available). Nevertheless, it was still possible
to pick any vacant campsite on a first-come-first-serve
basis. I liked
this system—we didn’t have to worry about reservations or leaving
a campsite on a strict schedule (tricky when the wind was strong).
Well,
enjoy it while it lasts! 2024
was the last year that no
reservationwas
required. Starting in 2025, campers must book a
specific numbered campsite for a set period.
Of
course, we wanted to camp on “Boomerang,”
aka “Banana Island”, our favourite campsite,
which I had described in my blogs in 2011
and 2013.
By the way, a few years ago, bureaucrats decided to renumber
all campsites in
the park—so I list the old
number first, then the new number in brackets.
While paddling to our destination, we passed another lodge
We
reached the island in about 30
minutesand
eagerly looked for any camping gear—but alas, it was occupied! We
continued to campsite
#322 (#334)
(46°04'58.9"N 80°11'49.2"W / 46.083030, -80.196990)
on a nearby island. It was vacant, albeit hilly.
We realized we’d have to carry all our gear up the hill to set up
the tents. The fire pit was full of metal cans—at least no broken
glass this time! While I was willing to stay, Chris
wanted to check a different campsite.
We were surrounded by beautiful scenery
Next,
we paddled to campsite
#323 (#335) (46°04'56.6"N
80°12'04.9"W / 46.082380, -80.201370), but even
from the canoe, it didn’t look appealing. Then we moved toward a
cluster of campsites not far from the Five Finger Rapids.
We passed campsite
#316 (#328)
(46°05'18.6"N 80°10'25.1"W / 46.088500, -80.173639)—not
bad, but too close to other campsites, so we continued our search.
THE
WORLD IS A SMALL PLACE: AN EMAIL FROM LINDSAY
Now
I’d like to share an interesting story, which again
confirms that the world is a very small
place. On
May 1, 2024, less than 3
months before our trip, I got an email from Lindsay,
who had come across my blog while trying to figure out exactly where
she had camped in the past. She used to camp at sites #313
and #314 every summer with her dad, who, sadly,
passed away suddenly in 2020.
She
said that back then she didn’t care much about GPS coordinates, but
ironically, she had become a geologist
and now loved coordinates 😂! She asked if I could help her locate
the exact sites, hoping to return someday in honour of her dad.
Of
course, I sent her an email with the exact
coordinatesof the campsites and even attached
a scanned French River
Provincial Park map.
Campsite number 314 (323). Further down you can see our campsite number 313 (322)
Fast
forward to our trip: we were approaching campsites
#314 (#323) and
#313 (#322)—yes, the very ones Lindsay and her dad had
stayed on! Both faced a small bay and were vacant. Not wanting to
paddle any further, Chris
chose the second one, #313 (#322) (46°05'32.7"N
80°10'10.0"W / 46.092417, -80.169444).
It turned out to be an excellent choice!
When
Lindsay contacted me in May, 2024, I had no
idea where we would go for our vacation. Canoeing on
Wolseley Bay was just one of about seven
possible destinations,
and at the time, I thought we might end up car-camping,
since Chris wasn’t very enthusiastic about paddling far to reach a
campsite. Yet not only did we canoe on Wolseley Bay, we somehow ended
up on the exact
campsite she had mentioned!
SETTING
UP TENTS ON CAMPSITE NUMBER 313 (322), GORGING ON BLUEBERRIES AND... HIDING ELEPHANTS?
Although
there were flat spots for tents on the left and on a bare rocky hill
(covered with smaller rocks, no doubt used by previous campers to
secure tent ropes, since pegs were impossible), we set up our tents
close to the water on thesloping
rocky ground. My
tent was next to an unused fire pit—the main fire pit was closer to
the water.
Campsite #313 (322). Our tents were very close to the water
Several
days later, Chris
realized water was seeping from the rock right under his tent, so he
moved it about 25
meters to the left.
On the other side of the campsite, he enjoyed a stunning view of a
scenic bay with rocky shores—yes, our campsite sat on a small
peninsula. When I
walked north for
over 100 meters, I
could see the bay and Hall Island, which was
private and had a few buildings.
Remnants of an old structure on our campsite
Near
my tent were remnants of an old structure, perhaps a shed or shelter.
Unfortunately, despite our thorough search, there was no thunder-box
(toilet) on the campsite. Later, I managed to walk
through the dense forest to the one belonging to the adjacent
campsite, #314 (#323) (46°05'29.7"N
80°10'11.9"W / 46.091583, -80.169972).
Perhaps it was meant to be shared—but I can’t imagine navigating
that in the dark!
Blueberries were plentiful!
We
arrived at the peak of
blueberry season,
and the bushes were everywhere. I often spent 5
minutes in one spot
picking berries. I hardly touched the breakfast I brought—I
probably consumed up
to 2 liters of blueberries every day!Fortunately, we didn’t have competition from black bears; we
were told none had been sighted that year, likely because there wereplenty of
blueberries for
everyone.
I
was also reminded of a joke I once heard from a friend back in high
school, also about blueberries.
— Why
do elephants have eyes like blueberries?
— So they can hide in
blueberry bushes.
— ?
— Have you ever seen an elephant
in a blueberry bush?
— No? Exactly — see how well it was
hiding? 😄
Indeed,
I never saw an elephant—it must have been hiding quite well! The
only animals we saw were chipmunks, squirrels, mice, seagulls,
turtles, huge ravens, and some birds of prey. I heard a
woodpecker occasionally but didn’t see it. I’m pretty sure
nothing else visited at night. Once, a Whitespotted
Sawyer, a
wood-boring beetle, sat on my tent. I also spent time observing
spiders, which proved surprisingly entertaining.
VERY
DISAPPOINTING FISHING EXPERIENCE AND MODERATE BUG ACTIVITY
We
were looking forward to finally
catching and eating some fish.
On the second day, I caught a pike,
which we quickly cooked over the fire—but that was the only fish we
caught (except for two
small pikes, which
we released). We often sat on the shore watching fishermen
in motorboats,
equipped with top-of-the-line gear and fish-finders—they weren’t
catching anything either. Unfortunately, we were in very
good company this year!
Local residents and tourists confirmed that fishing had worsened on
the French River,
supposedly due to overfishing.
We were fishing from the canoe and from the shore, yet the results were the same: no fish!
Last
year (2023), we spent 16 days camping and canoeing on the French River, south of Hartley Bay, and
caught three pikes—other
anglers had similar results. 15–30
years ago, I rarely
spent more than one
hour fishing before
catching a decent-sized fish. Nowadays, fishing had become a rather
fruitless activity. And to be clear, we weren’t after a trophy pike
or musky—all we wanted was one
or two fish for dinner.
I also spent a lot of time trolling while paddling—again, in
vain.
Interestingly,
the2024
fishing regulations
introduced a new
“Waterbody Exception”
for our area: the daily catch limit for pike was decreased from 6
to 4, and size
restrictions were added. Not that it affected us—we rarely exceed
the daily catch limit… in one
year! No wonder
avid anglers travel far north or fly to remote lodges—they simply
can’t fish successfully in the more accessible parts of the
river anymore.
Enjoying a campfire on our campsite
During
our stay, we were annoyed
by pesky deer flies,
hovering over our heads, but they were manageable. Around 9:30
pm, mosquitoes
appeared. They were bothersome, but DEET
helped a lot, and after less than an hour, their numbers decreased
significantly. In 2023,
on the other hand, swarms of mosquitoes made evenings miserable, and
bug spray barely helped. That year, a fire
ban forced us
indoors by 9:00 pm. This time, the campfire
every eveningwas
a very effective mosquito deterrent. Occasional (heavy) rain didn’t
bother us as much—it helped us maintain our nightly ritual!
PASSING
WATERCRAFT, HOT AND SUNNY WEATHER, SIGNS OF RECENT FOREST FIRE AND
OUR SEARCH FOR CELL PHONE COVERAGE
Every
day, many motorboats,
including pontoons,
passed not far from our campsite, some full of people seemingly
having the time of
their lives. A few
times, they docked at campsite
#314 (#323), and both kids and adults spent hours frolicking
in the water and diving from the rocks. We saw canoes and kayaks, but
not many—and none approached us or tried to camp on the other
campsite. Twice, we spotted tents on campsite #316 (#328)
from our side. I suspect most canoeists headed to the Five
Finger Rapids and did the360-meter portage.
Besides, we often woke up late, so many canoes likely paddled by
earlier.
The
weather was hot and
sunny, and there
wasn’t much shade at our campsite. We set up a tarp,
which we only used once for rain—otherwise, it served as protection
from the sun.
We
noticed many dead or
fallen trees on our
campsite. One stump was clearly blackened
and burned—I
initially thought lightning had struck it. Some nearby trees also
appeared scorched. Later, while paddling close to our site, a man in
a pontoon boat shouted that there had been
a forest fire two
years ago. We
learned more about it on our last
day, which I’ll
mention later in the blog.
A burned stump on the campsite
One
day, we paddled to Crane’s Lochaven Wilderness Lodge
(46°04'35.8"N
80°11'18.6"W / 46.076611, -80.188500 / 45.932889, -80.547361)just south of Boomerang/Banana Island, hoping
for cell phone reception,
albeit very weak. Chris paddled around the lodge for about 15
minutes, while I
managed to send a few WhatsApp
messages and even
download the weather
forecast.
Twice we saw tents on campsite #316 (#328). We could see them from our site
The
next day, on July 24, 2024, we paddled to The
Lodge at Pine Cove, attached the canoe to the dock, and
drove to Noëlville (46°08'01.6"N
80°25'54.2"W / 46.133778, -80.431722) to
restock supplies (we had hoped fishing would provide our meals) and
visit the LCBO—the
strike had ended the day before. Prices at the local supermarket
(Foodland)
were significantly higher than in Toronto:
a 2-liter bottle of
Coke cost $4.00, beef steaks sold for $40–70/kg,
and even small prepared salads exceeded $10. (As of January
2026, a 2-liter Coke costs $2.79 in No Frills and $4.00
in Metro in Toronto, and salad kits around $7, often half-price near
expiration.)
While
waiting in front of The
Beer Store, I
chatted with a group of French-speaking
farmers. Of course,
they spoke English too. They said they couldn’t understand French
speakers from Quebec! I always find
it fascinating how Canadian
French has
evolved—it’s not only quite different from the French spoken in
France but has also developed regional
dialects. I,
of course, don’t speak French; in Toronto, I hear
it maybe once every two years.
VISITING
ADJACENT CAMPSITE NUMBER 314 (323), THE BOOKS I READ, MAJOR WORLD
NEWS, MYSTERIOUS SOUND AND SOMETHING TO LAUGH ABOUT
On the adjacent campsite, number 314 (323)
A
few times, we visited the adjoining
campsite #314 (#323) by canoe. It
was never occupied during our stay and had plenty
of blueberries. I
eventually walked over from our campsite just to pick them, though I
preferred our own site—I loved exploring it and watching the scenic
bay on the other
side. While walking, I kept an eye out for snakes, especially
venomous Eastern
Massasauga Rattlesnakes, which I had encountered in the
past. Thankfully, I didn’t see a single snake, not even the usual
water snakes.
On the adjacent campsite, number 314 (323)
As
always, I brought a couple ofbookswith me.
Last
Night in the OR: A Transplant Surgeon’s Odyssey,
a memoir by Dr. Bud Shaw, was fascinating. Dr. Shaw trained under
Dr. Thomas Earl Starzl in the 1980s—the famous
Dr. Starzl (1926–2017), often called “the
father of modern transplantation”.
Reading the book, I again regretted not pursuing medicine
myself.
Monday
Morningsby Sanjay Gupta, M.D., was fiction, but
likely based on real events. It follows five surgeons, navigating
life-and-death decisions and occasional mistakes that cost patients’
lives.
Raven
Stole the Moon by Garth Stein, a supernatural
thriller, tells of an ancient Native American legend in Alaska’s
wilderness, a
missing shaman son, and the legendary kushtake—soul-stealing
predators between the living and the dead. I first read it around
1999
and wanted to revisit it for nostalgia.
The adjacent campsite, number 314 (323). At least there was a thunder box (toilet) and visible signs
Of
course, we also followed the news
and weather forecasts
several times daily.
On
July 19, 2024, a faulty update from CrowdStrike
caused a massive global technology failure, grounding flights,
crippling banks, and disrupting hospitals. Not that it affected us
in semi-wilderness!
On
July 21, 2024, President Joe Biden
ended his re-election campaign, endorsing Vice-PresidentKamala Harris.
Had he not run, Democrats might have had a shot at winning. Later,
he supposedly regretted stepping down. Honestly, was he delusional? Since Trump's inauguration, Biden's name has hardly been mentioned--and when it has, usually in a negative way, even by some of his supporters.
On
July 26, 2024, the Paris
2024 Olympic Games officially opened. Neither Chris
nor I paid a single bit of attention.
Meanwhile,
intense fighting continued in Gaza,
and the Russia-Ukraine
war persisted.
Typical French River scenery
One
morning around5:30
am, I heard a
constant hum. I first thought it was a boat or plane, but it
continued for 45
minutes. A few days
later, on the opposite side of our peninsula, I heard a similar
sound—like rushing
water—coming
from Five Fingers Rapids (~800 meters away). I
concluded it was likely due to water release from one of the four
French River dams, though the sudden start and stop
remained puzzling. At the lodge, I recounted it, and everyone was
just as puzzled.
One
night, in the tent, I woke Chris and said:
“Chris,
look up at the stars—what do you see?”
“I see millions
and millions of stars.”
“And
what can you deduce from that?”
“Well, if there are millions
of stars, and even a few have planets, there might be planets like
Earth out there. And if a few planets are like Earth, there might be
life.”
“Chris, you idiot,” I said. “It means someone has
stolen our tent!”
Of
course, it’s joke which I slightly modified. In the early 2000s, it
was voted in the UKas the best joke of the year.
LEAVING
OUR CAMPSITE FOR THE LODGE AT PINE COVE AND CHATTING WITH ALEX
STRACHAN, ITS OWNER
On
June 28, 2024, we packed up and loaded everything
into the canoe—which is never an easy or particularly pleasant
task. It took aboutone
hour to
reach The Lodge at Pine Cove, and as Chris
gradually carried our gear up the stairs, I walked to the parking lot
and drove to the lodge. A young employee kindly helped us carry the
canoe and load it onto the car—awesome!
At the Lodge at Pine Cove
I
also started talking to a very nice gentleman, who turned out to be
theowner
of the Lodge, Alex
Strachan. According to an article I found online, “he
purchased the property in 1999
and transformed it from a rundown lodge into the renowned retreat it
is today, known for its rustic
elegance and deep connection to the French River.
He’s often praised for his storytelling and hosting, making guests
feel welcome in this tranquil setting.”
We heard woodpeckers and saw the results of their activity, but never managed to see them
We
ended up having a very
pleasant conversation.
Alex had been an executive
vice-president with Royal LePage in Toronto,
so leaving a corporate career for life on the French
River must have
been a huge change. Yet I’m sure it was the right
decision—I always
admire people who make such radical changes. Many of us dream of it,
few actually do.
Mr.
Strachan also shared a story related to our campsite. In September
2021, a couple camping on that site hadn’t put out their
campfire. Later, the wind blew embers around, and by noon some people
in a boat noticed the fire. Initially, they tried buckets of water,
but with no cell reception,
they decided to get help—and fortunately met Mr. Strachan halfway
between the campsite and the lodge. He brought his boat with a huge
pump (capable of
pumping 8,000 liters
of water per minute)
and put out the fire within a few hours. Thanks to him, we could
still enjoy staying on that campsite!
By
the way, we always kept a 1-gallon
bottle of lake water
near the fire pit, just in case. Before turning in each night, I
poured it over the dying fire—better
safe than sorry!
Once, a Whitespotted Sawyer, a wood-boring beetle, sat on my tent.
DRIVING
TO NOËLVILLE AND THE HUNGRY BEAR RESTAURANT, CAMPING IN GRUNDY LAKE
PARK, LUNCH UNDER THE TRESTLE IN PARRY SOUND AND ARRIVING HOME
Once
we packed the car, we drove to Noëlville, bought abottle of red wine,
corn, and sausages,
then headed to the Hungry Bear Restaurant—my
de rigueur stop since 1995—forhamburgers, French
fries, and coffee.
Afterwards, we returned to Grundy Lake Provincial
Park.
The Hungry Bear Restaurant
Although
it was Sunday
and plenty of campers were leaving, even more new campers were
arriving. Some campgrounds had no
available sites for a single night!
We got campsite
#317 (45°55'58.1"N
80°32'49.6"W / 45.932800, -80.547100). It was
okay,
though it reeked of something unpleasant—possibly human
waste.
I
also realized that two
years ago, friends
and I had camped on campsite
#318, just across from ours, where a black
bearate my breakfast and
visited us twice a day.
I spent some time observing a
squirrel performing
acrobatics on a tree
and feeding a very
tame chipmunk—no
doubt it had learned that being nice to campers paid off in plenty
of food!
Grundy Lake Provincial Park, Ontario. Campsite number 317
We
had a campfire,
grilled corn and
sausages, and
stayed up until 11:00
pm, sipping Chilean
Cabernet Sauvignon.
The famous trestle in Parry Sound. I've been stopping here and having lunch under this trestle for at least 15 years with Catherine, Chris and many other canoe & camping companions!
We
left the park on July 29, 2024, stopping in Parry
Sound at the Thrift
Shop, Tim Hortons, and No Frills,
then had lunch under
the famous train trestle,
immortalized by Tom Thomson in one of his
1914 paintings. I also spent15
minutes at “Bearly
Used Books”, one
of Canada’s most amazing second-hand bookstores.
Traditional place to enjoy lunch under the trestle in Parry Sound
The
drive home was problem-free,
though I took the 407
toll highway to
avoid traffic jams on the 401.
And just across from my lunch palce, almost under the trestle, is a Chinese Restaurant. In 2008 it used to be a coffee shop, probably called "The Blue Café." When I met Catherine for the first time, the four of use--Catherine, Jane, Guy and I--wento to that café and had coffee and deserts on the patio.
CONCLUSION:
REFLECTIONS ON A SUMMER ADVENTURE
Looking
back on July 2024, the trip was a mix of extremes:
torrential rains, scorching sun, poor fishing, and seemingly endless
blueberries: It is said that whenGod closes a
door, He opens a window. In our case, fishing was
bad (or non-existent), yet we were blessed with plenty
of blueberries—perhaps the window that God opened
for us!
It
was a reminder that not every adventure is about trophies—sometimes
it’s about the quiet moments: watching chipmunks do acrobatics,
listening to a woodpecker’s rhythm, or sharing a laugh under a
starry sky.
The
French River continues to evolve—campsites are now
numbered and reservations mandatory, fish are scarcer than in decades
past, and forest fires leave their subtle marks on the landscape.
Yet, despite these changes, the river remains a timeless playground,
a place for connection, exploration, and reflection.
For
anyone planning a trip, I can say this: expect surprises, embrace the
unexpected, and savor the small delights that make wilderness camping
unforgettable. As for Chris and me, we hope to return—maybe even
score a campsite closer to the put-in point. And if we do, I suspect
the blueberries will be waiting, nature’s very own reward for
showing up.
In
this blog, I share my memories of Poland in the 1970s, as well as
recollections from later years and from my life in Canada. I also
write about my collection of autographs, photographs, pins and other
objects connected with my life, including the stories behind them.
The
blog is available in two language versions: English
and Polish.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)