Grundy Provincial Park

Thursday Aug 29th we arrived at Grundy Provincial Park after leaving Restoule.  It was 102 km from one park to the next and it was over a highway that resembled a roller coaster.  But we arrived to find that our site was a very large pull through and it was a perfect spot.  We got set up and walked around the area to see the sites.  We are walking distance to Gurd Lake so we can just carry the kayaks down to the beach.

  There are several small lakes within the park.  Three of which surround the area in which we are camped.  The Gurd, The Gut and The Grundy. The lakes here are not that large but they are beautiful with all the Pre-Cambrian Shield Rock.

Friday we headed out on to Gurd Lake for a paddle.  We saw a pair of swan with a baby across the lake. We were able to get quite close before they swam into the reeds to hide.  Normally they have several babies but this pair only had the one. Of course I didn't have my camera so had to borrow this picture off the internet.  But they loved just like this.

Friday evening our son Stuart and his wife Heajin arrived and got set up.  They are camped at an area where there is a dog beach and exercise area.  They have brought their two labs with them.  When they got set up they came over and had dinner with us and a camp fire.

Saturday we headed over to Grundy Lake for a paddle.

Stu, Heajin and the two dogs heading out on the lake.

I have never seen a baby Loon before.  Another first.

We stopped for lunch at a pretty spot.

When we finished paddling Grundy Lake Stu & Heajin headed back to their site.  Tom and I decided to try to navigate a small river that ran between Grundy and Gut Lakes.  We had one carry over and a couple of spots that we had to get out and drag our kayaks through but we made it.  Gut Lake is very pretty.  We saw some cliff jumpers plus at the end of the lake a natural rock dam.  It was a nice day on the water.  Later we headed over to Stu's camp site for some bocci ball.   Heajin is Korean and Stu lived in Korea for several years.  So we enjoyed a Korean theme dinner followed by camp fire.

Sunday was a day for hiking.  The Gut Lake Trail is 2.5 km rated moderate to difficult through the rugged rock of the Pre-Cambrian Sheild.  Another great hike.

We stopped on this rock for lunch part way through the hike.

Stu & Heajin came to our site for more bocci ball and dinner in the evening.

Stu and Heajin were leaving on Monday but figured they would stay and enjoy most of the day before heading home.  The morning turned out bright and sunny but by the time they got their stuff packed up it was 2 pm and the sky was clouded over.  They decided not to delay their departure and headed off.  Tom and I headed out to do another hike on the Swan Lake Trail.  It is only 1.5 km but considered moderate to difficult.

They are building a new look out here.  The trail traversed the huge rock in the background.

Swan Lake.  No fishing or canoeing allowed on these little lakes.

We drove out to Pakeshkag Lake.  It is a narrow road that runs through the bush and rock to this lake.  There is no exit, just to the lake and then back again.  Nothing there but this remote lake.  We looked around and drove back to the camp site.  

Tuesday we got up early and carried the kayaks down to Gurd Lake for one more paddle before we packed up to head home.  The swans where out again for our viewing.  They are so beautiful. 

A painted turtle sat on his log and let me float to within a foot of him.  He never moved.

Our camping is over.  We packed up and headed to Carlisle to Terry & Rodger's.  They had just returned from the Milton Steam Engine Show.  Rodger has several antique steam engines that he loves to display.  One that he has is a Rumely similar to the one below

We received a couple of items of sad news.   Our friends John and Alice Taylor let us know that Alice's Mom passed last Sunday.  We will be heading to Peterborough on Saturday for her memorial.  And our friend Pat McKenzie let us know that her sister Bev had passed away last week.  Pat lost her brother Peter just last year.  It has been a pretty rough time for her.   We send our condolences to both families.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

We are home now.  Time to get ready for my next surgery on the 13th.  Can't wait to get it over with.  We have had a great summer.  Purchased our kayaks which we made good use of.  Had some great hikes.  Had a chance to spend some quality time in the 5er to give us a taste of what it will be like to be a full timer.  All in all it was a good time.  Sad that summer is over so quickly.

Until next time - safe travels.