MacGregor Point

If walking and cycling are an important part of your camping experience, then MacGregor Point may be the provincial park for you. Featuring over 30 km of trails, boardwalks and points of interest, there is plenty to see and do. MacGregor Point has multiple beaches, 2 dog exercise areas and a visitor centre that features interactive displays and crafts for the kids, a good rainy afternoon destination.
The turtle pond area is interesting but is best seen in the earlier part of the season, as the water level can drop and dry up by September.

In my opinion the Algonquin campground is the best campground of the three in the park. This is the section with sites 1 – 136. The sites in this area are large and private with a large number of them being of the pull through variety allowing for larger trailers. The tree covering is heavy affording good privacy between sites and they are well situated in terms of proximity to the camp store, visitor centre and trails.
MacGregor Point also features yurts for rent for those brave souls interested in trying winter camping.

The Perfect Day

Friday July 24, 2009 was the perfect day. Sitting on the shore at dinner time on a rocky point on Ralph Bice Lake, a perfect flame broiled burger perched on one knee and a cold beer in hand, I surveyed the scene of perfection around me. Spectacular Alquonquin Park scenery, incredible silence and a feeling of accomplishment surrounded me and I was at peace.
What made the day so wonderful was the effort that was required to be here. We had set off early that morning, my brother Ryan and I and our boys, his two sons and my two, four excited boys all under the age of nine.

After registering in Kearney and checking in with the outfitters, we proceeded for a 50 minute drive into the park down a sometimes very narrow logging road, arriving at our first checkpoint on the shore of Magnetawan Lake. We loaded up our gear into the two canoes that were waiting there for us and started out across this very small lake, arriving at our first portage point in minutes. Walking the trail with a canoe on my shoulders, I was happy that the first portage was a short one and we were soon again paddling, this time across Hambone Lake and deeper into the park. By the time we crossed Hambone Lake, completed a longer portage into Ralph Bice Lake and found our site it was mid afternoon. We set about putting up tents, gathering wood and exploring the area around us.

The discovery of bear droppings near our site and the sound of loons swimming by caught the attention of the boys and they marveled at the quiet and beauty of our new temporary home. By the time dinner was ready, we were all starving hungry and the meal was delicious. Sitting in front of our fire, with the sun setting and the loons calling was a great way to cap the end of our first day in beautiful Algonquin Park.

A Change of Pace

As I write this, I’m enjoying a beer and gorgeous weather on the verandah at Chantry Breezes Bed and Breakfast in picturesque Southampton, Ontario. After all, you can’t rough it all the time.
Owners Don and Jenny Amy purchased this spectacular home in 1999 and have lovingly renovated it, ensuring key details such as trim and baseboards are authentically reminiscent of the era of the house which was built in 1907.
The accommodations are beautiful, the breakfasts scrumptious and the hospitality friendly and accommodating.

The first morning’s breakfast featured maple poached pears, cheese and tomato frittata with ham and toast and perhaps the best blueberry muffins I‘ve ever tasted. The second morning’s pancakes with locally made sausage were great as well.
Steps from the Lake Huron shore and a short drive to Port Elgin and MacGregor Point Provincial Park, Chantry Breezes is an ideal location from which to explore the area.
So, when you are looking for a relaxing getaway that offers a change from a camping destination, consider visiting Southampton and Chantry Breezes Bed and Breakfast. You won’t be disappointed. http://www.chantrybreezes.com

Next week, back to park and camping reviews.

Thanksgiving at Port Burwell Provincial Park

For those of you that believe that the camping season ends on Labour Day, you are missing out on a great tradition, Thanksgiving in the provincial park. We have been fortunate to spent a couple of Thanksgiving weekends in Port Burwell Provincial Park and have never been disappointed.
Port Burwell Provincial Park is located on the north shore of Lake Erie just south of Tillsonburg, Ontario.

Being at the southern part of the province it tends to warm up quicker and stay warm longer making it an ideal destination at the beginning and end of the camping season. Arriving there on the Thanksgiving weekend, the first thing you will notice is the festive feel to the park. It has become a tradition on this weekend to decorate the sites and you will notice the presence of pumpkins, corn stalks and hay bales on many sites. The second thing you will notice is the smell. The first time I walked past a camp site where a turkey was being cooked in a deep fryer, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I had to stop in to see what was cooking, and the campers were more than happy to show me and explain in great detail the process and how delicious the end result was.

If you haven’t tried this for yourself, the instructions to do so are:

Ingredients:
Deep Fried Turkey
· 3 tbsp garlic powder
· 3 tbsp onion powder
· 3 tbsp paprika
· 1/2 tsp ground bay leaves
· 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
· 3 tbsp gumbo file
· 1 tbsp salt
· 12 lb. turkey, washed and dried thoroughly
· 14 litres peanut oil

Directions:
Deep Fried Turkey
1. Using a commercial turkey fryer, and following manufacturer's instructions, heat oil to 375°F.
2. Make sure the fryer is positioned well away from any children, teenagers, pets or flammable structures.
3. Make sure the pot is only partly filled to allow for the level of the oil to increase when the turkey is added.
4. You should also leave room to allow for the bubbling of the oil when the turkey is first added.
5. Judge the level of oil necessary by placing the raw turkey in the empty pot and covering it with an inch or two of water. Remove the turkey, mark the level and discard the water.
6. Mix spices and salt together and rub liberally over the outside of the turkey.
7. Gradually immerse the whole turkey into the hot oil a little bit at a time, giving the oil a chance to calm down before immersing more of the bird.
8. It's a good idea to wear heavy gloves and a long sleeve shirt for protection from the inevitable spattering of the oil.
9. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. DO NOT LEAVE THE TURKEY OR THE HOT OIL UNATTENDED.
10. Fry turkey for 3 minutes per pound.
11. Remove from oil and let stand for 15 minutes before slicing.


So, don’t cut your camping season short. Consider including Thanksgiving weekend as one last adventure of the year, and include a deep fried turkey in your menu.

Addional photos of Inverhuron provincial park

This bike trail follows the shoreline of Lake Huron.

A view of the bay from a stop on the bike trail.

Inverhuron Provincial Park

One of Ontario's best kept secrets, Inverhuron Provincial Park is quite small with under 200 sites. It is located on the beautiful shores of lake Huron, just north of Kincardine. This park features a nice sandy beach, biking trails and large private campsites. As this park was rebuilt over the last few years, the sites still appear to have a gravel based new look to them, but are starting to look more natural each year. The park features 2 campgrounds; Lime Kiln and Gunn Point and the best sites in each are the final row which follows the waters edge. The best sites in Lime Kiln are 165, 166, 167 and 168. The best sites in Gunn Point are 60 to 76 excluding 69, 71 and 75. Getting one of these sites will ensure that you are lolled to sleep to the sound of the rolling waves on Lake Huron.

There is a unique feature in the park, that being an old family cemetary that is like stepping back in time. This is within cycling distance of all camp sites and is worth a visit.

All in all, a great park to visit with spectacular Lake Huron sunsets, well maintained private camp sites and no crowds.