Fall 2020 around Ontario – Part 3

After that harrowing experience driving from René Brunelle to Fushimi Lake Provincial Park, it was good to be able to hang out with fun friends in a calm place.

Fushimi Lake PP - in front of the fire
A nice campfire at our site. Relaxing!

This was supposed to be the last open day of the park; however, as COVID-19 had increased the number of people travelling a lot of parks extended their closing dates. We had already reserved so we only stayed a couple of nights at Fushimi Lake. I do like this park and I think it would be great to come here with a boat. It’s quiet and far from the highway so we don’t hear any noise this time of year.

Fushimi Lake PP - Dinner of mexican quinoi with corn bread and salad
In the calm Linda had made some corn bread and Mexican quinoa with added avocados and salad for dinner.
Fushimi Lake PP - on the trail to the fire lookout
The opportunity arrived and we hiked. Linda on a trail.

Last time we were at Fushimi Lake we didn’t get to hike up to the fire tower and this time we did.

Fushimi Lake PP - the fire tower
The Fushimi Lake fire tower. The trail is an easy trail and a ways from the tower.

The fire ranger had a cabin that has now mostly decomposed. He would walk about a kilometer to the tower for his watch. So cool doing that.

Fushimi Lake PP - the fancy lichen
Some interesting ground plants. Lichen I think. Beautiful to look at.
Fushimi Lake PP - Fire tower base
Linda and Diane walking around the fire tower and the cool lichen.
Fushimi Lake PP - the thunder box
Near the cabin site is a walk-in campsite and this is their Thunder Box.
Fushimi Lake PP - the beach before the fire tower with Kim and Diane and Linda
The beach at the walk-in campsite with all the travellers together.

Fushimi Lake is beautiful and has a lot to offer. I was happy that we went there to explore more of the campground. Now that the long weekend is over McLeod Provincial Park at the top of Highway 11 awaits.

Macleod PP - campsite with Hector
Our campsite. There are a few sections of MacLeod that we like, but we chose this one because it had power.

Sometime we want power and sometimes we don’t. This time we wanted power. We’d be there for a couple of days and the nights are starting to get cool so power is a good thing.

MacLeod PP - the high view of Kim and Diane camp
Ladders come in handy to get a good view of the campsite.
MacLeod PP - View of the shallow lake
Walking around the park and seeing the pretty lake. Wishing we had a little boat to go fishing in.

We often wonder about getting a canoe or kayak so that we can enjoy these lakes.

Nipigon - view from the top
From the top of the Nipigon Lookout.

We left MacLeod after a couple of nights and drove back to join up with Highway 17 at Nipigon.

Sleeping Giant PP - a bog trail
The Bog Trail at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.

We had always wanted to go to Sleeping Giant and we finally made it. We didn’t have the best campsites as we reserved quite late – COVID 19 has increased the number of people who want to camp in Ontario by a significant number.

Sleeping Giant PP - a rocky hike
On the trail to the Sea Lion rock formation.
Sleeping Giant PP - the sea lion hike
The plaque says that this used to resemble a sea lion. Now I am not sure.
Sleeping Giant PP - the sea lion with all of us
The trick was to get a good group shot with the feature rock formation.

This was a short hike off a trail that went to quite a few other hikes.

Sleeping Giant PP - Pierre Linda and Kim on a trail
Diane took this shot of the three of us on that big trail.
Sleeping Giant PP - one of the beautiful places on Lake Superior
On one of the longer hikes we arrived at this beautiful plateau…a great place for lunch.

If that rock plateau had been on the ocean, it would have had fascinating life in tidal pools.

Sleeping Giant PP - our evening tent with heater
One of the good things about staying in one place is we get to set up the tent.
Sleeping Giant PP - The camp duck
Not our site, but this was a site duck…apparently she hung out and asked for food often.
Sleeping Giant PP - The distorted panorama
There was a cool place called the Thunder Bay Lookout…with 300m cliffs and an overhang you could walk on to take photos.
Sleeping Giant PP - view from Thunder Bay Lookout
Without the panorama distortion.
Sleeping Giant PP - four of us on the Thunder Bay Lookout
Taken from somewhere I should not have been.

More hiking.

Sleeping Giant PP - Linda taking a photo
Linda on the Pines Trail taking a photo.

The sleeping giant is a rock formation.

Sleeping Giant PP - a view of the sleeping giant
The formation.

We definitely aren’t done with this park.

Sleeping Giant PP - a view from a lookout
There are so many hikes and viewpoints.

Just a beautiful park. From Sleeping Giant Provincial Park we drove a short distance to Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park.

Kakabeka Falls PP - the falls
So many photos of this.
Kakabeka Falls PP - the four of us at the little falls
Then a hike to Little Falls.
Kakabeka Falls PP - Dinner by the fire
Post hike by the fire with Mexican quinoa, corn bread and wine.
Kakabeka Falls PP - VBurger and Fries
I had to try to make french fries while camping….a vegetable burger and fries….and a great salad to make it seem healthy.

One of the good things about staying somewhere for a few days is that the tent goes up and I get to try different cooking things. Fries were a strong craving and I made them in a deep frypan with a slotted spoon.

Kakabeka Falls PP - the falls in sun
The sunny version.
Kakabeka Falls PP - a giant mushroom
That is one big mushroom….I wonder if it’s edible.
Kakabeka Falls - the hydro building
Kakabeka Falls has a power generating stations as well.

They let people hike or drive down to the bottom as long as they don’t trespass. Kim and I even went and tossed in a fishing line nearby.

Kakabeka Falls - the hydro station
The Penstock pipes leading to the generator…at least that’s what I think they are called.
Ouimet Canyon PP - the four of us selfie
Selfie at Ouimet Canyon

From Kakabeka Falls it is a short trip to Ouimet Canyon and we took advantage to visit.

Ouimet Canyon PP - looking south
A view of the canyon.

One day I would like to be at the canyon at sunrise and sunset to see if there are great photos to be had. A hike at the bottom would be cool too.

Ouimet Canyon PP - the four of us on the bridge
Silly selfie leaving Ouimet Canyon.
Thunder Bay - Terry Fox
The Terry Fox monument at Thunder Bay.

Heading back from Ouimet we stopped at the Terry Fox memorial. A great view from there and a great tribute.

Off to Rainbow falls.