Pukaskwa - Day 4, Part 2

Old Dave's Harbour....

The Harbour

The old lighthouse keeper's house

The lighthouse keeper left now that the light is automated, and this is now emergency use in the park.

And - fun to explore :) Living area

Kitchen (apparently they have a problem with "wee beasties."

Even though we hadn't seen a toilet in days...this one did not appeal. Hole in the ground = still a better option.

Million dollar view...in TO. Free for us!

Upstairs hallway

Guestbook

Back entrance

Basement

The sign by the door is one labeling the building "emergency use" by the National Park

Other side of the harbour

Ed taking a picture...

...Ed's picture :)

SUPER clear water!

Pukaskwa: First Official Paddling Day!

Finally. On Saturday morning, we headed out from the Puk River Campsite.

After just an hour or so of paddling we got to Imogen Cove and had the opportunity to check out the old Pukaskwa Depot, a logging town from the 30s. There wasn't much left to explore, but the bits and pieces left are enugh to inspire the imagination & have you seeing the old town alive again in your imagination!

Imogen Cove also had a beautiful long beach, and we ate lunch here (more like snacks & oranges.)

After leaving Imogen Cove, it took us another couple of hours paddling on the beautiful, calm lake to get to our destination for the evening: Bonamie Cove.

At Bonamie Cove, we found a surprise. Although there was no loo for us, yet there were real patio tables, a full size shovel, and a wire grate for over the fire. We took advantage!

Dinner at Bonamie Cove was supposed to be lunch....quinoa salad. We added the ham that was supposed to go with the evening nasi goreng meal and I have to say, I think it was my favourite meal of the trip!

Good-bye Puk River campsite!

Destination: Imogen Cove

Shaun checking out the remains of a cabin in Pukaskwa Depot @ Imogen Cove

My boat & Ed's taking a break on the beach at Imogen Cove

Our party at Imogen Cove

Ed filtering water at Bonamie Cove.

First group shot at Bonamie Cove on our wonderful, shoveled-out sand bench :) L-R: Richard, Shaun, Kim, myself, Ed

Sunset @ Bonamie Cove

Silhouette group shot. Who's who?

Pictures of the full campsite @ Bonamie coming tomorrow!

Pukaskwa Trip - Arrival Day!

After a brief blip in our last few hours, we got to the park at about mid-day.

(I wasn't driving....but yes there was a little green slip of paper. Grrr.)

Finally, arrival at the 7th park in my goal to visit all 42 Canadian National Parks!

After we arrived, we had to sign in, pay all of our fees, have a back-country orientation & then figure out if all of our gear fit into our boats! (And I managed to get in the last hot shower for the next ten-ish days!)

Richard & I packing our boats (it all fit in!)

Ed's boat, Kim & Shaun packing their boats

 Our gear fit (barely), we unloaded again, and in came the water taxi to take us to our first campsite at the Pukaskwa River mouth.

water taxi incoming!

Drop off at Puk River

First kayak campsite!

First kayak sunset!

:D

Pukaskwa!

We're in Pukaskwa (Pook-ah-SAW) paddling around, right now.

It was quite the feat to get ready for it.
Keep us in your prayers! We appreciate it :)

(And no, we do not have internet or laptops here. I'm prescheduling this post!)

A very small glimpse into getting ready:

You can look forward to updates and pictures when we get back, DV!

Inukshuks

Inukshuks are something of a Canadian symbol these days.

They take a place of pride on Nunavut's flag, and can be found on top of mountains, wherever rocks may be found, and sometimes even in random mid-city empty lots.

These are all tourist-made inukshuks at Bruce Peninsula National Park.

Shaun & Joel's creation, in the middle of the path.

This guy's got a nice view...

...see?

Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada

You might recall my goal to visit all of Canada's national parks. If you don't recall, that's ok. I'm telling you now: one of my bucket list goals is to visit as many of Canada's 42 national parks as I can in my lifetime.

Last summer, I visited all of the national parks in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, & Prince Edward Island. That totaled five. Bruce Peninsula is number 6. And it is gorgeous! You can easily see why it's been designated as a national park.

It's the first of at least three that I hope to visit this year. The rest will likely be in Ontario too (on the 'perhaps' list: Pukaskwa, Point Pelee, Georgian Bay Islands, St Lawrence Islands.)

Here's some gorgeous photos from Bruce Peninsula National Park!

:D

Lamb & Shar - splash effects courtesy of Ed.

Such clear water. LOVE this shot!

An obliging (and very friendly) dog posed for me! What a pensive thinker.

The rock was falling, with Joel on top! So Ed stepped in & saved the day! With his finger!

Rock climbing.

Mike & Ed conquering the 'bridge'

Underwater tunnel in the grotto

Rink & I in the grotto :)

This is where the Arrogant Worms got their song from...

So guys, which way IS north?

It was an awesome couple of hours - it's incredible what variety of creation God allows - even in such a small area!



For the Arrogant Worms Song mentioned above, go here.
(The videos on Youtube aren't great, but the song is!)