This was the first time that we had our “old” friend out with us. He hasn’t been in a canoe in more than a quarter century - and even then it was “just messing about”, as he says. We anticipate many more adventures together ...

When we can’t get out there immediately, we gather gear for our next trip. Our off-season activities include caressing new Badger paddles and looking longingly at expensive canoes and other gear....

I wasn't going to submit any more photos. Really. But then the weather took a chilly turn and I pulled out the woolies. This was taken as the sun was going down this evening, so the light and focus is bad (iphone timer selfie). But,...

Sensible people escaped the city for the Thanksgiving weekend. Not me. I headed south, into the Hamilton-Burlington corridor to visit my family. I was doubtful that I could wrap up any of the PITPC photos ...

Stopped for a quick lunch break - the only place that the wind seemed calm. Only a few minutes earlier the wind had tried to take the canoe off of my shoulders and turn it into a kite (I fought the wind, and I won,...

I made a visit to Peterborough to pick up a new barrel pack. I thought that I'd check out the gear and at Wild Rock Outfitters, since we were in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, they were closed once we arrived. Not wanting to snap an obvious...

Drop by on a Thursday evenings for free admission (although donations are always appreciated!) ...

I balanced the phone on a log and used the timer for this one. It fell off so many times that I almost gave up. Silly pictures...

I propped my phone up between two branches and wedged a pine cone behind it to hold it in place before setting the ten-second timer and racing back to my bench and my hot coffee....

I love this place. What more can I say? (on the way out)...

It was chilly night, with overnight temperatures hovering just above the freezing mark and winds gusting to nearly 50km/hr.. But with a wool hat, wool "buff", Icebreaker underlayers, fleece jacket, Thermarest, bag liner and a -9C down bag, I was snug and warm. Function comes...

I will admit it, the bear business freaks me out slightly. So - rather than another annoying selfie, I thought that I'd show you my dinner another way. Two ropes, two trees, a bunch of 'biners to make a nice pulley system and I was...

My trip plan was to do the Bell-Balsam-David Loop at Killarney. However, when I arrived to pick up my permit, the attendant at the Bell Lake launch point told me that he wasn't comfortable having me head up Bell. The wind was high and Bell...

This was my first solo trip - actually, my first interior trip too - so, as I didn't have a photographer handy, I had to balance just right to get myself, my barrel pack, the PITPC tag and the portage sign all in the picture...

“Today I have grown taller from walking with the trees.” — Karle Wilson Baker (1878-1960) Excuse the blur. My eight year old was laughing as she took this photo. (Dorset Fire Tower Trail)...

We've been to the Oxtongue AO store so many times over the summer. But, usually we are in a hurry to get "out there" or exhausted and on our way home. This time we made a special detour after a weekend of hiking, only to...

There is nothing like an evening paddle when the lake is like glass. ...

My 16-year old daughter's favourite part of camping is spending a day engrossed in a book, away from all other distractions. (Note: this is supposed to be the Reading Out There submission - this one and the one of me reading Kevin Callan's 50 Best...

I'm not really a 'Yak sort of person. But, the kids have fun fooling around on their yellow open-top 'yaks. PFDs? That goes without saying! (Clear Lake, Grundy Lake PP)...

My eldest daughter was taking photos of my youngest daughter and I couldn't resist this photo of the two of them together. (Clear Lake at Grundy Lake PP)...

Heh heh! When Mom gets up first she can take pictures of the sleeping tent-mates. One 18-year-old buried in the orange bag because it was "too cold", one 8-year old who kicked the sleeping bag off dozens of times in the night (and then woke...

I am so not a fan of taking selfies! The sign was quite high, so I balanced precariously and snapped a few while those watching laughed (yeah - they were strangers paddling by!). So, this is what you get....

I definitely can't pick just one favourite. I figured that it was better to show you this collection than to photograph my own overflowing bookshelves and couch-side tables. Yikes, I need to tidy up!...

Guess what we do over morning coffee on the campsite. I was happy to have my eldest daughter along for one last trip - even if she didn't want her face shown....

I've been lucky enough not to suffer blisters (yay for great KEEN footwear!). However, my new solo yoke has bruised my bony shoulders. Thankfully this is the almost-healed version. I'm finding relief with a LevelSix yoke pad. ...

This lasted for all of ten steps. Oh well, she tried.(Does a walk-in campsite count?)...

My canoe is a solo so I don't have anyone along to take a photo on a "far out" portage (it is just me and my canoe). This is the route from unloading the truck to the lake at George Lake, Killarney. 50lbs+ is a...

While awaiting my turn at the wee little portage from George into Freeland I realized that this couple fit the criteria for a tandem portage. My canoe is a solo, so I have to hope that this photo is clear enough to count. I had...

At one point on the portage trail, I stopped to scratch the back of my ankle with the opposite foot and realized that I could do Vrksasana (Tree Pose) while carrying my canoe overhead. The arm position is quite similar to that of hands on...

Hiking the Crests of Kennesis trail in the Algonquin Highlands (August 13, 2015). Come out and hike the trails as part of the Hike Haliburton Festival Sept. 17-20, 2015 - and say "Hi" if you see me (I volunteer)....

My eldest and youngest set up the Thermarests and Sleeping Bags at the campsite....

Can't I have more than one favourite spot? Seriously - why did I not visit Killarney before now? Thanks PITPC for inspiring me to be brave and venture out somewhere new on my own. These really are the true rewards, aren't they? My only question:...

It rained and the bugs were insane for our entire trip to Pancake Bay Provincial Park. But, that didn't stop my 16, 14 and 11 year olds from having fun on the beach. This is but one of a series of about 40 shots that...

Yes, I have five children. And getting all of them to stand together and smile at the same time - without goofy antics - seems an impossibility. This is what you get! At least I managed to get all five of them to accompany me...

The chipmunks at George Lake campground were crazy - and fearless! Never before have we had chipmunks jump right up on the table as we were eating and steal food from our bowls! They showed no fear at all. This little guy was intent on...

It is so hard to choose one favourite viewpoint. Although Lake Superior PP has far greater vistas, I at least have a PITPC flag in this one of Killarney PP. Our goal was to hike both the Crack and Silver Peak for great views and...

Add the 1.8L Halulite pot, a flexible cutting board, a collapsible strainer and a dishpan and what you see is what you get. I'm out there to enjoy nature, not do dishes!...

I was having trouble getting the light right on a campfire shot. My 11 year old offered to fix it ...

It was kind of unfair of me to say "Here hold this" the moment he emerged and then snap his photo, dontcha think?...

We took part in the Backpacking Hike on the Ganaraska Trail with Kevin Callan as part of the 2014 Hike Haliburton Festival. It rained. A LOT! We had an amazing time and learned so much. Kevin was a ton of fun - even over...

I think that they need to set these things a little deeper in the ground to avoid paper spillage around the base. But, definitely much nicer to use than the campground privies ...