Beginning a summer camping season – through COV-19

We are not fans of camping in the summer here in Ontario…there are just too many people. But this year has not been normal. We had the itch and hooked up.

Bonnechere - first campsite
At Bonnechere Provincial Park…the first campsite.

We met up with Diane and Kim for a ten day trip through some parks. The first park on the list was Bonnechere Provincial Park and once there we wished we had either brought life jackets or a boat. Due to Covid they were not lending out life jackets so we could not rent canoes or kayaks.

Bonnechere - Pierre fishing
Without a boat Pierre is fishing!

The Bonnechere River is very pretty and we did ok with our first campsite as there was enough sun to not be plugged in. We had extended our stay and had to change campsites as the one we had originally booked wasn’t available for the whole time we would be there.

Killaloe  - Beavertails
The Beavertails start.

We also stopped in Killaloe to get some beavertails this trip as it is down the road a little way from Bonnechere Provincial Park.

Bonnechere - Kim and Diane trealer overview
Eleasa and Jim came to visit us at the park here at Diane and Kim’s trailer and campsite.

We met up with Eleasa and Jim at the campground as they were staying nearby.

Wilno - the pub
We drove to Wilno to the tavern. Wilno is the first Polish settlement in Canada according to the plaques.

We had a great time and managed to make it to the Wilno Tavern restaurant for some excellent Polish food.

Wilno - Polish Restaurant
All of us at the restaurant patio.

At this point in the year we were allowed to have a small group on a patio and we did. The food was terrific.

Bonnechere - The dinner table and a cat
Pierre enjoying a quiet moment in the dining tent with Puck – who should NOT be on the table.

It’s very nice to have a dining tent to prevent the evil mosquito from ruining dinner.

Bonnechere - Beaver started the tree
This park had some ambitious beavers but they were no match for the chainsaw.

I think the park folk wanted to ensure the tree didn’t block the road when it was felled so they helped the beaver. It seems though the beaver lost interest.

Bonnechere - a historic cabin
The four of us at a historic cabin in the park.

We walked on trails and came upon this cabin. I think due to Covid, all activities were cancelled and the historic aspect of it all was lost for the year.

Bonnechere - Duck and ducklings
The duck and ducklings come to shore.

Back at camp there were some visitors to an empty campsite.

Bonnechere - second campsite
Because we had booked twice, we had to change our site to a lakefront site.

We had booked a night at this site without electricity then as our plans changed we added a few nights before the lakefront site. We weren’t able to keep either one due to crowding at the provincial parks this year.

Bonnechere - a pretty flower
Some pretty flowers at Bonnechere.
Bonnechere - Second campsite and Puck exploring
Without wonderful Hector we are able to have the bikes out and do some riding.

It was nice to be able to ride around exploring the park.

Bonnechere - the book tree
Bonnechere’s library with a cool roof.
Bonnechere - Linda at the beach
The big beach at Bonnechere.

As most know, I don’t often get into lakes of my own free will. The weather was hot and the water was warm. The beach is quite sandy so I was easily able to go for a swim and enjoy the beach.

Bonnechere - morning river
An enjoyable sky on the river.

We should remember that if we return to this park a canoe or kayak is a must. The river looks wonderful to paddle.

LeFleur homestead
This is the LeFleur homestead just north of Bonnechere Park.

We left for Restoule passing though Mattawa and had to have a photo of Big Joe Mufferaw

Pembroke - Big John
Big Joe carving.

It’s always nice to stop and see this statue.

Restoule - the fire tower
The fire tower at Restoule.

At Restoule Provincial Park we hiked the fire tower trail to the above tower. I am certain that these have all become redundant with the proliferation of satellite imagery.

Restoule - the lookout
We also found a nice lookout at Restoule.

Restoule was another place where a boat would have come in handy.

Restoule - planted forest trees
The end of our hike and the planted forest.

So much logging had been done and after the logging there was planting. The above is a nice example of a planted forest.

Chutes - Sitting around the fire
Chutes Provincial Park and Diane and Kim’s site.

The reason for this trip was supposed to be a marathon run at Massey, ON and that is a Boston Marathon Qualifier. Linda had trained but by now Covid had cancelled so much we had abandoned the idea of running a marathon up there. We did ride our bicycles along most of the marathon route.

Chutes - Pierre and the little fish
Pierre went fly fishing and caught this tiny guy…back in fishy went.

I want to become a better fisher so I keep trying but only catch these little guys. I need to study more.

KandDs trailer
A grey and possibly rainy day, so we had dinner in Diane and Kim’s trailer.

Good times with friends are wonderful ways to spend time. Killbear was next.

Killbear - a deer
Entering Killbear provincial park this guy was having a snack.

We’d never been to Killbear Provincial Park and didn’t know that it was a busy and large park.

Killbear - the corner campsite
We had reserved a site that was a nice corner place.

As we try to find unserviced sites with sun, the corner spot looked good on the map. We found the park to be very crowded and busy. We managed to make the most of it. Diane and Kim had a site nearby that was cancelled due to tree issued and they were given an ugly site then moved up beside us and were even refunded for one day.

Killbear - the gypsy moths laying eggs
The moths were having a good time.

The moths were everywhere. I wanted to make sure that they didn’t end up coming home with us and that took some careful looking around.

Killbear from the lookout
The Killbear Provincial Park lookout.

As I was going through the photos – the Killbear lookout photo looked surprisingly like the Restoule lookout photo. Luckily there is geo-tagging.

Carleton Place - Hector and the pool
Returning home in the heat; Hector has a pool to get used to.

After Killbear home was the next stop. Hector likes the cool of the floor and we’d hoped he would happily sit in his pool. This is going to take some time.

Carleton Place - Linda's garden
Thanks to our neighbours the garden is doing well.

We have awesome neighbours who look after our home and garden when we are away. Often the garden looks better if have gone away.

Carleton Place - Tired out Hector
Hector comfortable at home after spending ten days at the dog spa.

Hector didn’t join us this trip and spent ten days at the spa. He had his nails clipped and they sent us photos of him playing with other dogs. That’s all terrific but we miss him and he’ll come along on our next trip.

12 thoughts on “Beginning a summer camping season – through COV-19

  1. Hi Folks!
    Thanks for all of the wonderful photos. I envy the way you all get around. The wilno Tavern serves wonderful food & I think I shall go there next summer in the Citroen and enjoy the drive. It is the oldest Polish settlement in Canada from 1858, pre-Confederation! I remember my Russian professor at York University telling us that the people in Wilno & Barry’s Bay speak Kashubian dialect, almost extinct in Poland.
    I’m glad Hector was in a good kennel with people you can trust. I applied last year for an Irish Setter pup & it is possible that I may get a puppy by January. I have decided that I need a dog in my life. All the best, Doug

    • Thanks Doug. There are always more photos than should be posted. I always think I post too many photos…but part of it is for me to be able to remember. Someone once mentioned that there should be more of how we feel about the photos we post; we will have better recall of how we felt when we took them and what inspired us to take them in the first place.
      Your memory of the places you’ve been and the discussions you’ve had is rare and wonderful. I don’t think I have that ability and the blog helps me when I wonder what I was doing and where we were.
      Interesting that what has remained in Canada are dialects of languages from a couple of centuries back. The French in rural parts, the English is some parts is unchanged from the continental version which saw so many changes.
      I think you will be an awesome pup dad and it’s quite rewarding to have a furry companion.
      All the best and hope to see you soon. Pierre

  2. Nice to see and read about Provincial Parks we have not been to. What did Hector do when he saw you ? He’d be sooo happy.

    • Thanks Kelly – we’ve done more parks that we had not been to as well – soon to be blogged too. Hector was thrilled to see us and we missed him and the stinky dog smell. I see from The Bayfield Bunch blog that you guys are out as well. You and Al are visiting some terrific places. We love your new RV – is it big and comfy enough? Hoping to see you out there.

      • We really like the new RV. 24.5 ft. . we changed out the flooring and replaced the dinette with 2 comfy chairs. So far we are impressed with the Winnebago quality and glad we kept looking .

        • That’s terrific to hear. It looks good in the photos and Linda and I are happy that you guys are back on the road.

    • Beautiful photos on the blog Ivan. I agree that real time detection by people is still better. Great that you are able to go out there and explore the lookouts. Are you still doing the fire tower visits? I see by your blog that you are now heading to the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island…

      • I haven’t worked a lookout for a couple of years now, but I still keep in touch with them – and every spring I tell them that I’m likely available – but only for short term postings if they get short handed. My blog is way behind, but I’m slowly getting it caught up!

        • I think that’s a good way to be available. I keep trying to get caught up with the blog, but it’s challenging. I don’t know how Al of the Bayfield bunch does it.

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