Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
*** sorry for the delay***…..
Little did i know how sketchy cell service would be across Canada. I’ve been trying to keep up with writing this blog but uploading it was another story. So… I’m a little behind. My apologies to those of you who have been checking in every so often and are thinking.. “HA! I knew it… she’d never keep up with it.” Well… you were sort of right. I’ve kept up my writing so I wouldn’t forget stuff, but I haven’t actually posted…. so here goes…
Sleeping Giant
Up early and packed up in 35 minutes flat, we begrudgingly left our beautiful Agawa Bay campsite and headed to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. We were quickly rewarded as the drive was MAGNIFICENT. Ontario in all its majesty is evident as you travel through Northern Ontario. It’s not the mountains of BC, or the crashing waves of Peggy’s Cove, Ontario has its own unique beauty in the rolling hills, and lakes at every turn. I think the phrase ‘WOW’ has never been uttered so frequently on a drive before.
Other Travellers
We had no idea that there would be so many other travellers on the road. In cars and trailers yes, but on foot? Or by bike? The countless people we saw, gear in tow biking up hills. Hats of to these individuals with great stamina and determination. Somehow I managed to notice the cyclists or walkers too late and couldn’t snap a pic.
Goose!
What drive through Northern Ottawa isn’t complete without a stop in Wawa. It’s funny how many people asked if we would do this stop when they learned of our drive through the Trans Canada Highway in Northern Ontario. Why you ask?
Note grumpy kid… because he wanted to go the playground instead of see the goose.
Campground
No other major stops for the day other than for gas, pee breaks and leg stretches. Upon arrival at Sleeping giant we were delivered a crazy winding drive down a small side road 30 km to get to the campground. A quick check in, loading up on ice and wood and we pulled into our site 116. Electric and located around the corner from the Visitor’s Center and boat launch. Vault toilets just up the way and comfort stations located a short walk away. The location of the site didn’t make for a very private spot but it was convenient to get to the visitor’s center and to the water’s edge where we spent most of our time.
We had just enough time to get to the Visitor’s Center for a quick visit before dinner. A great view was afforded from the 2nd floor balcony of the Sleeping giant!
The visitor’s center was an informative spot to learn about Silver Islet Mine that has been since consumed by Lake Superior, native animals and plants to the area. There was also a small park store which contained a few camping supplies.
Being so close to the boat launch, the kids could ride their bikes down to the water’s edge and we brought along our chairs to enjoy the evening sun while watching the kids frolic.
This campground was a little busier than Agawa but not too bad that we didn’t enjoy ourselves. A quick dinner over the fire and we were able to continue playtime by the water. The water wasn’t as clear as Agawa but it was surprisingly warm and had lots of critters to observe (especially after sunset, we walked back and saw lots of crayfish at the water’s edge).
Dinner consisted of quick pizza, we borrowed the idea from family. A tripod grill, premade crusts, bottle of sauce and toppings and in minutes we had two nice hot pizzas.
Close Encounters
While cleaning up from dinner, my son suddenly quietly yelled out ‘Fox!’. A mature red fox darted across the road mere meters from us. A little later, kids finally in bed, the adults sat by the fire to enjoy yet another successful day and to enjoy a beverage or two… or in my husband’s case… a whole bottle of wine – although, well deserved after a long day and frustrations of trying to work with limited cell service. Who knew how spotty cell service would be even with coverage from two of the country’s major network carriers – Rogers and Telus. I digress… back to my point…while enjoying the fire, we suddenly heard a rustling in the woods across the road and sat very still, watching partly in fear and party in anticipation. As our eyes zeroed in on the intruder in the dark, it turned out to be a deer out for a late night walk. A very cool way to top off the night!
Observations
- Hit 2000 km on our trip just before Thunder Bay.
Kid’s memories – loved spotting the fox run past the campground, working with the fire and roasting marshmallows.
A Hero Remembered
Every year our children are reminded of Terry Fox and his great legacy. In the words of my son ‘He didn’t worry about himself and did everything for everyone else. He never stopped.’ The cessation point of Terry’s Marathon of Hope was 143 days after he started and at 5,373 kilometres was just outside Thunder Bay. Near that km mark there is a scenic lookout and a tribute to Terry. It’s amazing how much of an imprint Terry has had on millions of people he never met or who weren’t even alive when he was. A great man with a great vision and a lasting legacy.
Observations:
- Trying to take photos of city town signs… is very difficult while in motion.
- Trying to maneouver the trailer around is also a challenge. Every entry into parking lots yielded the same game of ‘how will we get out of here’. And when I’m driving… it’s dreadful.