We see it all the time, people cutting live trees to burn. Green wood (freshly cut) does not burn, it smolders and smokes. So unless you like smoked marshmallows, you don’t want to use green wood. If green wood doesn’t burn, and cutting live trees damages the forest for future generations, why do it? We . . . Read More about Finding the Right Wood
Saws are Best
According to most camping guides, you don’t want to take an axe into the forest because it is dangerous. I once saw a group of kids chopping wood in bare feet – YIKES. We also had a family member cut the tip of her finger off with a hatchet, luckily, they were only one portage away . . . Read More about Saws are Best
Never Forgotten
Our canoe trips will not be the same without our campfire storyteller. John was part of our paddling group for the past 18 years. John passed away in November 2018, he was 63. We remain in shock. We had just spent two weeks together in August paddling in the Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park. He was . . . Read More about Never Forgotten
Buzzard Lake and Shark Lake
Buzzard Lake They were calling for ‘heavy rain’ – whoever ‘THEY’ are. We decided to go anyway, really what’s a little rain? We had been waiting all year for this trip and didn’t want to delay it another day. We have also learned from experience that if you change your plans because of the forecast, . . . Read More about Buzzard Lake and Shark Lake
Peanut Butter Cookies
After a couple of long portages, my brother-in-law said “Anyone want a peanut butter cookie?”. I had just pulled out a bar of very yummy Lindt chocolate to offer as well. Someone in our group wanted both, so she made a cookie sandwich. The best discovery yet! I have introduced many people to this amazing . . . Read More about Peanut Butter Cookies
Plank Salmon
If you will be arriving early to your first site, and think you will have time to cook dinner over a campfire, then consider plank salmon – a true dream dinner! Tuck a cedar plank into your pack. The cedar will only need to be portaged to your first site because after you use it . . . Read More about Plank Salmon
Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
We have cooked this Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta recipe for years. It is from an old book “Simple Foods for the Pack” by Axcell, Kath and Cooke. It is such an easy and delicious recipe. It isn’t dehydrated so we tend to cook it early on in a trip. The pasta takes up a bit more . . . Read More about Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
Barrel Organization
Things have been busy lately and I haven’t been blogging. But after canoeing this weekend with new gear, I just had to post. It is always so exciting when new gear works out. We recently picked up a barrel cooler and two barrel buckets from Recreational Barrel Works. They worked so well! We have been saying . . . Read More about Barrel Organization
Spider Lake and Clear Lake; Massasauga Provincial Park
We were all excited about returning to Massasauga Provincial Park. However, when it was time to book the trip, we remembered just how popular this park is, compared to other parks. It took a long time and many adjustments to finalize our trip. Coordinating the trip to avoid portages on the weekend proved more challenging . . . Read More about Spider Lake and Clear Lake; Massasauga Provincial Park
Portobello Curry
So why on earth would you cook spaghetti, then dehydrate it? I clearly remember saying that a few years ago. Then I saw the amazing meals my brother-in-law was making in camp, in just minutes. So we gave it a try and would never do it any other way now. You make the sauce, cook . . . Read More about Portobello Curry