Jeep Adventures - Island Camping in Bala (Muskoka), Ontario
I was in need of some quiet.
Luckily, one of my close friends from the lab is from Bala, Ontario (Muskoka area), and has access to a boat and camping equipment. We did the road trip up from Toronto (about 2 and a half hours with minimal traffic) and then took a boat trip down the river to one of her favourite childhood camping spots on an island.
The light through the trees in the morning was absolutely gorgeous and the water was like glass.
It was so peaceful and quiet and really gave us a chance to reconnect and catch up. We were both in need of some "soul foraging", as we referred to it. I'm looking forward to a few more nature retreats before the summer is done.
Have you ever been to the Muskoka area? It always reminds me of the Group of Seven paintings. So beautiful.
Stay tuned ;)
Jackie O
That takes me back. Looking at the pictures I can remember exactly how the trees smell and the feel of the air. When I was a kid we would go on a fishing trip near Verona, Ontario in August every year.
I love the air up there. And the water was so warm! I haven't done any fishing in a long time, but I'd probably really enjoy it. Maybe next time. :) What kind of fish did you usually catch?
We were fishing for largemouth, smallmouth, and pike. There were lake trout, too, but they only come up near the surface in the spring.
The water in Canoe Lake was crystal clear and warm, but it was only warm until you go down about 10'. It was also very deep, more than 400'. Our swimming spot was an island that had a steep underwater drop off that went from 10' down to about 70'. We would each pick up a big boulder so that we could walk on the bottom up to the edge of the underwater cliff, then we would push off and let the rocks carry us down. I always let go before I got to the bottom. It was dark and scary down there.
@jackieobermeyer what a great little camping adventure! I bet it was beautiful there as your pictures revealed! I love camping and nature and need to do a little more myself. It's been way too long since I have had that kind of simple pleasures in life...thanks for sharing this with us!!!!
Agreed! I never realize how much I need it until I'm experiencing it. Highly recommend getting out into nature and giving yourself a chance to unwind. :)
Muskoka area is great at this time of year. Used to live in Stratford when I was younger.
Nice! I love the Stratford area. So pretty! I especially like the lack of bugs this time of the year.