Restoule Provincial Park

On August 23rd we headed north to Restoule.  From home to the park is 322 km.  We arrived at the park to find that the big rig friendly site we had booked was not big enough to hold our 5er.  We dragged poor Tara back to a spot where we could park and walked around looking for a site that would accommodate our rig.  Even the one we found was not easy for us to get into but we managed.

Restoule is a really beautiful park.  There are two lakes that we could access, the Restoule Lake and the
Stormy Lake.  And we paddled them both.  There are also four hiking trails within the park.  We hiked the three longest ones.

Saturday we paddled the Restoule Lake.  It is big!!  We worked our way west for over two hours before heading to the north shore where we chatted to a lady in a kayak.  She told us that for the past couple of days the rollers were so high on the water that she had been unable to paddle. Glad our day had turned out to be pretty calm.   On the way back we stopped in the lee of an island and had lunch in the kayaks.   Another two hours back made for a great day on the water.

Tom is taking a break before we finish our trip back to the park.  

On Sunday we hiked two of the trails.  A lot of birch trees were down in this area.

A pretty spot along the trail.

Sunday night it started to rain and rained most of the day on Monday.  So we took a drive into North Bay for something to do.  Not much to see there.  If you have never been to North Bay you are not missing much.  Couldn't wait to get back to the park. We stopped to buy fire wood from a 90 year old fellow near the village of Restoule.  He is a war veteran and had some stories to tell.  We had a nice chat with him before heading back into the park.  

Bambi and his Mom were waiting at the park gate for us.

Tues we headed up the Fire Tower Trail.  It is a 7 km hike up some pretty rough territory. 

This first little board-walk over a lovely marsh area looked like it was going to be easy.  But from there on it was much more difficult.  We got to the spot where you could go on up to the tower or take the trail down.  We met a couple at this point and they told us the last part up was very steep.  The lady kept looking at the scar on my knee and repeating how difficult it was.  I don't think she figured us old farts would make it.

A rest stop with a view looking down on Stormy Lake 

We made it to the tower.  

Tom is checking for cell service....still none.

Amber Lake - a spot along the trail on the way down

What a beautiful hike.   I am 3 months with my new knee.  I am so happy to be able to do this again.  I am busy wearing out the new parts but quality of life for me includes hiking.  Love to hike.

The next day we paddled the Stormy Lake.

Check out the fire tower at the top of the hills.  That is where we hiked!!  A long way up.

Still looking for cell service!!

The cliffs on Stormy Lake.  Beautiful.

It was a great week, even with a day of rain.  We packed up on Thursday Aug 29th and headed west to our next stop Grundy Provincial Park.  Details to follow.