Remembering Grand Lake, Achray campground in Algonquin Park. The park where Tom Thomson painted his Jack Pine and one of my favourite places in the world…
Since I came to Canada camping has been a big part of my life and the way that I was raised. I am thankful to my parents because if it wasn’t for them maybe I wouldn’t have learned to appreciate it so much. I often hear how Europeans talk about the wilderness of Canada, the vast open spaces… the way in which you can be alone on a campsite (yes it has happened to me!); and especially coming from a busy city this is a treat I will never stop appreciating. We used to go to many places, not only to Algonquin Park but to other Provincial Parks like Charleston Lake, Killarney, Bon Echo. It was always a good time. Exploring, hiking, swimming and connecting with one another over a fire or in a small old droopy tent eating ramen noodles while it is pouring rain outside… <3 I have some funny memories in particular from Charleston Lake. Some years ago this lake was absolutely filled with many little water snakes… For a couple of 15 year old girls this can be a little …’dramatic’ ? not sure if that’s the word, but let’s just say that there was often some ‘mini drama’ while we were out in the middle of the lake, realizing there’s a snake swimming next to me!
My favourite part of Algonquin Park is accessed through the Sand Lake Gate to Achray, Grand Lake. There is something magical here… maybe it’s the absence of cellular coverage or the whip-poor-will singing at night, or because it’s small and there is less people and more animals. Of course partly too because this is where Tom Thomson painted and stayed in a small ranger cabin, which you can still visit.
Thanks for all your beauty Algonquin Park… I hope you continue to be appreciated and loved and taken care of for many many supermoons to come!!