An inspired journey into serene discovery
What began as a spontaneous adventure evolved as a respite of enhanced stillness, inspired awareness, and a unique intuitive connection.
Could consider it a dreary morning as we leave the neighbourhood. Glad it’s overcast and drizzling a bit as we turn onto the highway and head northeast on route to Madawaska, our destination on the east side of the park — to visit family.
Quickly noticeable how barren the roads are and how rare to see people.
There’s a lot of uncertainty to what we’ll encounter today. Will there be road blocks and/or restrictions that prevent us from going through the park? Are public spaces barricaded? Not sure, so to me there’s only one option. Check it out — just go.
We’ve packed warm clothes and more than enough food to sustain us for the day.
Since it’s a Sunday morning and we don’t gather — right now, it’s great to hear an inspiring Livestream Easter message via delayed broadcast from Frankfurt — as we continue down the road toward our destination.
So easy to take for granted the many cultural and technological advantages we have over our predecessors. Just as it’s possible to succumb to numerous fears about our current situation, we can choose to discover the countless benefits already emerging out of this calamity.
Many friends and myself have realized and expressed a deeper sense of gratitude for our community/relationships, a rekindled/reinforced relationship with the outdoors, and an appreciation of our political leaders. Glad there’s no chaos or panic in the streets.
We turn off the main highway and take a bypass route that weaves its way along the Lake of Bays. We only see the odd car sporadically and a couple out for a stroll roadside.
As we make progress on our journey there are many familiar locales, so sometimes we stop for a quick photo or to just look around and experience the moment.
One such place is Dorset and more specifically overlooking the smaller lake at the rest area. Always enjoy taking a few minutes to reflect, look around, and imagine what’s ahead. To me, it’s the gateway to an Algonquin adventure.
The village is usually bustling — today it’s all but deserted. The General store shelves are fully stocked, however, there’s no lineups to get in or out and a lone cashier chats with a local — separated by a make-shift partition.
As we carry on, notice the clearing of the bush on the sides of the highway. Thought many times over the years about how the plants that grow wild here are cut down frequently at what must be tremendous and ongoing cost.
Imagine bringing teams of people here to transfer them — at least some of them — into pots for transport to the city, where they could be used in alternative landscape designs.
From here we head north to intersect with the highway that goes through the park. Again, there are many places to stop at along the way. It’s quite evident that most of them have been closed for the winter.
There are some notices that relate directly to COVID-19 and some precautions, while others offer encouragement — but nothing dramatic. In fact one sign, at the outfitters, reads, “Take care of yourself and your community. Mother Nature will wait for us.” Interesting sentiment and certainly reflects the essence of this serene yet vibrant region.
Amazing to sense and experience the all encompassing solitude as we stop to take some photos at the park’s west boundary.
Algonquin invokes fond memories of days gone bye and welcomes us back anytime for the next memorable experience.
It’s a place to go for physical and emotional holistic nourishment through vitality and tranquility — especially unique in this moment, because of the disruption and ensuing uncertainty in our world due to the pandemic.
Thinking back to my childhood when my parents would bring me here. Many treasured moments with family and friends that are imprinted for life, experientially teaching me respect and appreciation for our natural areas.
Each successive visit seems to reveal how the park evolves and improves, which is so inspiring and rejuvenating.
Stopped at the old West gate, which is now an information centre. Everything’s still closed and just noticed there’s a Coronavirus health bulletin in the window. A short wander about helps me ground myself and then it’s down the road again.
Next stop — the old museum that’s now a commemorative art centre, gallery and studio.
Carrying on through the park — many known natural features and familiar places appear along the way, only to vanish again as we wind our way toward the destination. It’s so compelling to stop and explore everywhere, but we are to meet up with someone soon.
As we approach the East gate and leave the park it comes to mind how unfounded our concerns were and how glad to have experienced an invigoration afternoon drive through Algonquin. Evidently so few people did.
The drive to Madawaska feels a bit subdued and there’s now some deliberation about this visit. Learn that the directive is for them to maintain physical distance, because their ailing mother is fearful of this virus and remains isolated and alone inside her home.
On the other side of the road from her house we meetup with her brother who reaches out to shake my hand. By my guarded reaction — he stops and we greet from a distance. He graciously acknowledges the distancing gesture.
It’s interesting to observe our actions and thereby believe it can help us determine how we effect or infect others. This way we can assist each other in developing relevant health practices, while maintaining many of our liberties.
Good to watch the two sibling outside on the porch, seeing their mother on the other side of the window inside her home, taking turns talking on their phone with her.
To me this is the visible manifestation of family coming together in a unique way during this time of self-isolation. So glad to be see and part of this.
Been a worthwhile and enjoyable trip, so far. So, now what? It’s late afternoon and primary mission accomplished.
We decide to go back through the park again. I’m thinking to hang out at the logging exhibit for a while.
Great to freely go back through the East gate without a checkpoint — something we can choose to honour.
Just through the gate and there’s a Totem Pole presentation with a “Let It Stand” titled placard dedicated to “The Spirit Of Peace And Reconciliation To All Nations”. What a great place to establish a reflective and inspired locale — comes to mind.
Almost immediately I’m experiencing enhanced joy and take a moment to ponder what that means to me and how it relates to my life. I’m humbled when I consider the amazing country and communities we can explore and help evolve.
Look forward to seeing the logging exhibit next.
There are flows of snow throughout the driveways and parking areas. A thick blanket of crusted snow still permeates the woods. Next it’s in through the way-out and straight to the locomotive. Instantly takes me back to childhood.
It comes to mind that the “Alligator” a steam-powered land-crawling tugboat is across from me on the side of the loop. Remember admiring and climbing these machines as a child and am still fascinated by the simple ingenuity of the era and gruelling lifestyle of those loggers.
Begin imagining the roaring days when these lands were being explored, lumber extracted, and tourists hospitably lavished. Makes me wonder how this place will fair when the switch is turned on again and the people come, probably in droves.
As thoughts flow gently through this serene moment the realization that one day noisy cars will again create a constantly fluctuating droning sound that even continues through the night at times.
How could this intrusion be altered or even just impact reduced — to be more like right now? There are almost no cars here at all. I wonder how many of us ever really get to experience this? Not often from my recollection.
Two possible scenarios come to mind. A high speed tunnel that runs beneath the existing road to function as a bypass. That may help alleviate some just passing-through traffic. This may be possible someday.
Another more probable solution might be to develop an electric tram system that transports people, luggage, and supplies along the abandoned rail lines and evolving trail network. Cars and busses could even be parked outside the park boundaries and visitors shuttled in by the trams. So cool that it’s doable right now.
These thoughts inspire me to dream and write. My experience and passion collide to spark a desire and help manifest such a future for people to enjoy.
Head back to the parking lot and prepare for departure. It’s time to make our way home — enjoying that last part of the daylight as we make our way back through the park.
There’s a moose on the other side of the road. Pull to the right and get out of the car, stepping onto the road. Wait for a car to pass and start across the road toward this young moose. I’m on a mission to get a good photo.
It wanders slowly in behind the thicket. Call out. No response, so I whistle softly — yet intently. The head turns slightly and the ears perk-up a bit. Begin coaxing it enthusiastically. Saying I’d like it to pose for me, so that I can take a good photo.
Ok that seems to be working, as it pokes more if it’s head out and just looks at me.
Continue to ask if it would come to me. Slowly to start with and gradually with more conviction it took steps out into the open and looked straight at me.
What a moment! In-sync with a wild animal — feeling this intuitive connection and genuine peace between us.
Its head turns sideways for a different pose and another photo taken. Slowly faces forward again and then takes a few confident steps toward me — to about where first spotted — not far from where I’m now standing.
Again, I marvel at what I’m beholding. Astounding to feel a sense of connection with such an impressive animal. Watch as it begins eating again and decide it’s time to leave.
Seemed to be a moment of sadness as we parted ways and then this profound sense of immersive gratitude comes upon me that’s difficult to describe with words.
What a fitting climax to an amazing adventure in Algonquin.
