MacGregor Point Provincial Park - Winter # 5

Today we got our first taste of snow in the Waterloo Region so it got us really thinking about the 2013-2014 On-Site Winter Camping Program at MacGregor Point Provincial Park.  The RV has been serviced and the Drive Green test done so with my birthday coming up next week we'll be able to renew the vehicle permit. 

A week from tomorrow we'll be on the road to MacGregor Point for another 5 and a half months of winter camping.  This will be our fifth winter of participation in the Winter Camping Program and once again we'll be on site #61 in the Birch Boulevard camping area.

Arrowhead Provincial Park - Day 6

Yesterday (Wednesday) we took a day trip, stopping first in Huntsville at the Lions lookout.  Then we continued on to Dorset for lunch and to Baysville at the South end of Lake of Bays.  On our return trip to we made a brief stop at the historic Brunel lift lock on the river just South of Huntsville.  About 23 years ago we actually made a trip in our 20' boat through this lock to Mary Lake, returning to Huntsville later in the day.

Today we are enjoying what may be our last day of sunshine as the weather forecast for Friday and the weekend includes rain.

View of Fairy Lake from Lions lookout in Huntsville

Rabbit's Bay on Lake of Bays

Docks at Dorset

"The Narrows" at Dorset, facing Westward



"The Narrows" at Dorset, facing Eastward

Colourful dock at Baysville

Brunel historic lift lock

Mouth of Little East River at Arrowhead Lake footbridge



Cabin on Site 248





Yurt on Site 246

Yurt on Site 247



Deer on camp road 9




Smoke signals

 

Arrowhead Provincial Park - Day 4

After a rainy Monday the sunshine has returned.  Another great day for relaxation and taking photographs of fall colours and the little critters around our campsite.

"Big Bend"

Entrance to "Big Bend" lookout

Maple in prime colour

Lower end of Arrowhead Lake

Lumby Beach

Footbridge over Little East River

Canoe rental area

Bluejay in flight (with peanut in beak)

Chipmunk stocking up on sunflower seeds

 

Now what do I do?

Hey buddy! What are you doing in there?

Arrowhead Provincial Park - Day 1

Arrowhead Provincial Park is located just Northwest of Huntsville, Ontario.  Although we have previously visited the park to "scout" good campsites, this is our first camping visit to the Park.

We arrived mid afternoon Friday and although our RV "setup" went well, the TV satellite dish aiming was another matter but eventually we got it working with a 93% signal.  With so many trees in the campground there are not many campsites with TV satellite access.  Bell Mobility phone access is good.

Today was a perfect fall day and we took the opportunity to just relax, walk around the campground and take some pictures.  A short distance from East River campground, on Little East River is the Stubb's Falls rapids.  Kayakers were coming down the river and stopping above the Falls.  Below the falls we were treated to a Great Blue Heron that had positioned him / her self just across the river, snatching fish whenever possible.  Amazingly, there were noisy kids and dogs less than 10 metres away but that didn't seem to bother the Heron.

We plan to be at the Park until Sunday, October 6 and although there is a bit of rain in the forecast, the overall weather picture looks pretty good. 

Judy catching up on paperwork

Parking lot by Washroom / Showers

Me and my shadow



Site 229, East River Campground

Path entrance to Stubb's Falls

Canoes at the "pool" above Stubb's Falls

Another Kayak coming down the river

Great Blue Heron waiting for lunch

Judy on the bridge taking my picture

More Kayaks

Laurel Creek Conservation Area - our last week

What began as a nine night booking at this GRCA Park, eventually turned into an eighteen day and ultimately a twenty three day visit.  Aside from one particular cold day and some cool nights, the weather has been fantastic with lots of sunshine and minimal rain.

Although Peter has been going to work most every day, it was a great chance for Judy to enjoy the wildlife around our bird feeders.  In addition to a few visits from the family (including grandsons Garret & Sterling from Edmonton) we also had a nice dinner with friends Pat and Wally from Waterloo.

This evening we made a nice bonfire and the coals were perfect for roasting marshmallows.  Tomorrow morning we will be leaving the park and likely won't be doing any additional camping until we go to Arrowhead Provincial Park in late September and Michigan for Thanksgiving.




"Guard Cat" at site # 56



Colbey & Drew at the playground



Our site # 77



Colbey stoking the fire



Sterling & Drew playing some pickup football



Blue Jay reunion.  We had a dozen at one time.



Trunk of large pine tree on our site



Kayakers on the lake at sunset



Family get together



Chipmunk with "suction cup" feet



Perfect coals for roasting marshmallows

 


Judy has been into the peanuts

Laurel Creek Conservation Area camping update

On Monday (Civic Holiday) our twin grandsons Colbey and Drew came to visit us mid morning.  They brought their fishing gear as well as some fish worms left over from a previous day's outing.  The Rock Bass and Sunfish were biting well at the Laurel Creek dam gates and even Grandpa got a chance to snag a couple of fish.  Their parents Mark and Nicole joined us that evening for hot dogs, marshmallows and other good food.

The weather has been very comfortable this week, and with fewer campers around the birds and critters have started to appear.  This evening we dodged a severe thunder storm watch.




Full Concentration





Colbey with first fish

Drew with a Sunfish



Can you see my fish?
 

Visit from Wild Turkeys at breakfast today. Note young one below feeder on left



Assembling a new game



It takes 3 to get a good campfire going



Spotlight on a chipmunk



Chipmunk "in flight"



Cheeks stuffed with peanuts



Can you spot the Chipmunk in the picture?



Our pet bunny Konijn in his outdoor "stroller"