Day 3 Lake Superior

What a day, what a day, filled with surprises! Finally we’re really camping and enjoyed a leisurely rise and shine. The park is mostly deserted so it’s quiet and peaceful. It’s easy to imagine that we are the only two people in the wilderness. Just us, and the black flies, and the mosquitoes … they’re atrocious! In our family Mama and Andrew usually look after feeding all the bugs. It’s thoughtful of them and I really miss them now!

I have never seen such small squirrels. At first we thought they were chipmunks since they’re about the same size, but on closer inspection they are really, really tiny squirrels. I’ve seen red squirrels and they are pretty small but these are the runts of the litter!

Following breakfast we headed out for a hike on the Coastal Trail. Described in the park brochure as … “A wild and rugged trail of coastal landforms. Hikers on this demanding trail will encounter everything from ankle twisting cobbles to heart thumping ascents ending in magnificent lookouts.” Gargantua Road was a 45 minute, 14 km (you do the math!!) park road leading to an entrance to the trail. To the Ojibwa, its first inhabitants, Gargantua was a sacred place. The Voyageurs and fur traders also camped here on the foggy shores and left behind the name. Although the road was nothing more than a single lane twist through the Boreal Forest, with David muttering most of the way about the places I make him bring his truck, the first few feet of the hiking trail had us recognizing the wisdom of the Ojibwa. The next few hours were spent in blissful solitude as we followed the Superior shore. Whether strolling over sand, clamoring over rock face, picking our way through cobbles or hiking the forested edge of the lake, every turn held a new treasure!

One section of the hike involved boulder hopping. I realized, while mesmerized by the concentration it required, it was very much like playing a real-life video game. The rapid decision making and quest forward clearly worked the same part of the brain that Mario and Luigi prod. I couldn’t help but wonder if the game designers haven’t been on this hike!

Once again the pictures hardly do it justice but here they are all the same.

All good things must come to an end, and although the trail continues for 65 km, we began the trip back to the campsite only to come upon a momma bear and two of the cutest cubs. She was more anxious to be rid of us so the encounter didn’t last long and being ‘bear smart’ campers we didn’t pursue photos. But way cool nonetheless!

Sitting at the end of the day blogging I’m thinking about just how much I love to do this. It has become one of the highlights of travel for me. David has always said that I get full value for my vacation dollar. While, like most folks, I thoroughly enjoy a holiday, I also enjoy the planning and anticipation just as much. Through blogging, I’ve discovered a way to relive the experience; to drag out the pleasure for just a little while longer! More bang for our buck! See David? If you work out cost/unit of time, travelling with me is cheap, cheap, cheap!!! It also seems to increase the delight for me when I get the experience out of my head and into print. I’ve been wondering lately if that isn’t linked to the reason I talk so much! I need to get things out of my head to really fully appreciate them. It isn’t as much a need to share, although I’m happy to do that, as a personal need to harmonize my world.

Thanks Dwight! The LCBO gift certificate was a lovely thought and very handy!!