Real Talk!

This morning, the Canadian Press released the findings of a recent Harris-Decima survey, confirming the majority of us are planning a summer vacation this year. Harris-Decima senior vice-president Jeff Walker says, "It's going to be the kind of vacation where you go to visit a cottage or friend's cottage or maybe a family's cottage, or maybe you go for a long weekend to a resort in whatever part of the country you live."

It shouldn’t surprise us, then, that visits to Algonquin Park are up 14%.

Located in the eastern section of Ontario about 2.5 hours from Ottawa, 4.5 hours from Montreal or 3.5 hours from Toronto- Highway 60 is the main corridor of Algonquin Park.

With over 7000 square kilometres of forests, maple hills, rocky ridges, thousands of rivers and more than 2000 fresh water lakes, Algonquin Park is the very essence of Ontario wilderness.

Archaeologists estimate the Algonquin First Nation peoples inhabited the area for some 8,000 years, prior to the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century. Relying heavily on hunting, trapping and fishing for their food and would gather in the park area for fishing and socializing during the summer. In the late autumn, the group would separate into small hunting camps.

With the arrival of French and British colonists, the area grew into a flourishing market area and fur-bearing animals became quite a commodity. In the 17th century the waters of Algonquin Park served as the main fur trade route to the west.

Loyalist settlers began encroaching on Algonquin lands shortly after the American Revolution. In the coming years, the lumber industry began to move up the Ottawa valley and the native people were relegated to a string of reserves.

In 1893, Algonquin was established as the first provincial park in Ontario. The park was named a national historic site in 1992.

According to the Algonquin Park website: The Park is home to 53 species of mammals, 272 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles and amphibians, 54 species of fish, 1000+ species of plants, more than a thousand species of fungi and approximately 7000 species of insects.

During a typical trip, you may see beaver, mink, otter, eastern wolves, foxes, osprey, raccoons, birds and waterfowl- in addition to deer, bear and moose. You will almost be certain to see a moose in June, July or early August. Park visitors regularly see Moose standing or feeding along the roadsides.

Moose are year-round residents of Algonquin Park. Park Authorities estimate some three thousand moose call Algonquin Park home. In the summer, moose can be found feeding on aquatic vegetation in beaver ponds, rivers, and shallow areas of lakes. They love to graze.

Moose are about the size of a horse, with a long brownish-black head and snout, large ears, and a dewlap (or bell) hanging from the throat. Moose have legs that are about 200 centimetres long, humped shoulders, and a short stubby tail.

A male Moose weigh an average of 500 kilograms, and females average 425 kilograms. Moose eat 50 kilograms of green vegetation in one summer's day.

The Black Bear is Algonquin's second largest mammal, next to the Moose. Female Black Bears in Algonquin Park weigh between 45 and 70 kilograms. Males are usually larger, weighing between 70 and 150 kilograms.

Black Bears typically do not vocalize. The most common bear sounds are grunts, used when playing, and loud blowing, indicating the Black Bear is nervous or afraid. The Black Bear uses a resonant voice to exhibit strong emotions and most often used by cubs. Adults will use their resonant voice when they are in pain or are frightened.

When camping in bear country, which includes Algonquin Park, remember the three simple bear safety rules.

1. Never feed or approach a bear.
2. Store all your food and garbage in the trunk of your car (or suspended high up between two trees if you are camping in Algonquin's Interior).
3. Keep a clean campsite and pack out all garbage.

Many White-tailed Deer call the Park home, too. The best chances for seeing deer would be during the early morning, along Highway 60.

In the park, itself, the Visitor Centre is a must see. This world-class, interpretive facility depicts Algonquin's natural and human history through a series of exhibits, dioramas, and video presentation.

The ALGONQUIN ART CENTRE (at km 20) is open daily from June 20 to September 6 [10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.] and from September 7 to October 17 [10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.]. It features original artwork by world-renowned artists depicting Algonquin's rugged landscapes.

On most summer afternoons (no formal schedule), get up-close-and-personal with a Park Naturalist at the Visitor Centre (at km 43) as they discuss different natural or cultural history topics using mounted animal specimens, pelts, bones, artifacts, and other items. Naturalists may also be found, roving throughout the park and they’re enthusiastic about answering questions.

You’re bound to hear stories of Gertie Baskerville, a true woman of the wilderness, who lived alone- amongst the animals and birds of Algonquin Park for years. A year round resident from 1941 until 1969, Gertie became a seasonal resident (from early spring until the first snows) for another decade.

Living in a 20’ by 20’ three room cabin by the shores of South Teal Lake, with no more than a wood stove to keep the fall and winter chill away. The area had no electricity until the mid-1950’s. A great naturalist and an expert canoeist, Gertie thought nothing of paddling 10 miles, or more, a day. She knew all about the wildflowers, mushrooms and types of fungus on the trees.

There is also the romantic legend and mystery of Tom Thomson, the influential Canadian artist of the early 20th century, who first visited Algonquin Park in Ontario in 1912 with other members of the famous Group of Seven.

Taking up residence on Canoe Lake, in the park in 1914, Thomson worked on and off, as a fire fighter, ranger, and guide in Algonquin Park, but found that such work did not allow enough time for painting. During the next three years he produced many of his most famous works, including The Jack Pine, The West Wind and The Northern River.

Thomson disappeared at Canoe Lake on July 8, 1917- his body was discovered in the lake eight days later. The official cause of death was accidental drowning, but many still question this.

It has been said that Thomson’s body had fishing line wrapped around a leg- seventeen times and there were signs of a head injury (possibly post mortem). It may be that Thomson was murdered by his neighbour, Martin Blecher, Jr or that he fell and struck his head on a fire grate during a drunken brawl with the owner of Canoe Lake’s Mowat Lodge (allegedly over an money the man owed Thomson for canoes).

Rumours has it that Thomson needed money to purchase a new suit to marry Winnifred Trainor, whose parents had a cottage at Canoe Lake. Following his drowning, folk said that Winnifred, pregnant with Thomson's child, went away for a while, with her mother.

When she returned to Canoe Lake, Trainor never spoke about her relationship with Thomson- although her nephew, upon inheriting the estate, said it included more than a dozen small Thomson paintings and letters that confirm they had been engaged.

Others believe that Thomson suffered severe depression and drowned himself. He was buried at Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park on July 17, 1917, without any of his family members having seen the body. Thomson’s older brother had the body exhumed and re-interred in the family plot beside the Leith Presbyterian Church on July 21.

There is a memorial for Thomson- at Canoe Lake, in Algonquin Park.

Visiting the interior portions of the park really isn’t for sissies- in fact; it’s best left to those with experience in canoeing and backcountry camping.

For more information:
Algonquin Provincial Park
Box 219
Whitney, Ontario
K0J 2M0
705-633-5572

Summer holiday tip: Include your children in planning of day trips. It may be a good time to have them help with packing lunches. Helping in the kitchen, over the summer, is a great way to keep kids thinking… reading and arithmetic- like fractions- all come into play!