Helen's Home World: Emily

Showing posts with label Emily. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Camping in Ontario

We did a short camping trip to start the season but we hit three provincial parks. We went to Balsam Lake, Awenda and Emily.

Balsam Lake was just a one-night stop as the drive to Awenda was too far for me to do in one day. I left home at 9:17 am and made it to Balsam Lake at around 3 pm. It wasn't a bad drive, but you get quite fatigued even with stops for gas and to stretch our legs. We had pull thru sites right near the bathrooms. At first, we couldn't figure out why so many people drove to the bathrooms, then we looked at the campground map. The two comfort stations in our loop were the only ones in the whole campground; of course, there were privies but no other showers or flush toilets. It didn't help that many people who did walk also brought their dogs up with them. I guess they thought, have to go for a walk, why not take the dog. But all in all, Teddy wasn't too bad, and it was only one night.

Balsam Lake

Teddy likes sleeping in the trailer

We were able to have a relaxing morning the next day as Awenda was only about a 2-hour drive. When I was posted to Borden, I'd always wanted to camp at Awenda but it was always full over the summer. We were in Hawk campground at the far end of the park. If you like cycling this would be a nice park, as it was, we were nearly 10 km from the beach. I had always read that Awenda was part of the Niagara escarpment, and it is, I thought that meant there would be views over Georgian Bay, but the tree canopy is so thick that there wasn't much of a view until you get right to the lake.

Awenda

Trilliums

Rocket at Awenda

Georgian Bay

I took the dogs down to the dog beach twice. The second time a thunderstorm was approaching, and it was Teddy who decided it was time to go. I got to the store for ice and was headed back to the campsite when it started pouring rain, the worst of it had stopped by the time I got back. We did lose power for a few hours though. The funny thing was that none of the park staff that drove around stopped to update us on the situation.

Liam does wade

Teddy loves wading

Liam would rather keep his feet dry.

The sites at Awenda were huge, if you're camping with other people, it's hard to get sites that are really close. We were camped near the central bathrooms. There was only one set of privies in the loop so some sites would be quite a hike to use the toilet. I don't know why they don't install some additional privies. The sites are well shaded with a canopy of oak and maple trees.

My site from the road.

Tree canopy

On our last day at Awenda, we drove into Penetanguishene. We walked the marina and went out to Discovery Harbour. Penetanguishene was a Royal Naval station, long before Canada was a country. Discovery Harbour was free for military veterans and very dog-friendly, so it made for a nice day out. Since most kids were still in school, I think we were about the only ones there. All the reenactors were looking for something to do and gave us detailed accounts and demonstrations. We had to say no to seeing a musket firing as the dogs likely would have been quite upset by that. The dogs were allowed in all the buildings except the Officers' Quarters. I don't know if that's normal or if it was because we were nearly the only people there.

Penetanguishene

The town marina

Discovery Harbour

H.M.S. Temcumseth

The next day it was a short drive to Emily Provincial Park near Peterborough for two nights. Again, this was really just to break up the long trip back. We had no plans for Emily, but to relax. I took the dogs down to the see the campers beach and to the day use area that has a dog beach.

Dog beach

We're still batting a 1000 for setting up and taking down in the dry. We enjoyed all of our meals outside, didn't have to head to a restaurant once due to rain. I bought a new camp stove for this trip, no more naphtha or pumping up the old Coleman stove. I also got a propane fire bowl with Airmiles points, but we didn't use it on this trip, perhaps we'll use it for our one-night stops or if there's a fire ban during our long trip that starts next week.

Sunday, March 3, 2024

Come On Summer

Yesterday we booked our first camping trip of the season. Starting with one night at Balsam Lake provincial park on 19 May because it's just too far for me to drive to Awenda Provincial Park in one day.

Podrick at Emily Provincial Park, Summer 2022

The sites we have at Balsam Lake are crap but they're pull-thru and near the bathrooms, so they'll do for one night. Since they're pull-thru I won't have to worry about when my sister and her husband arrive. We have four nights at Awenda starting on 20 May, the holiday Monday, hopefully most people with kids will be heading home. Awenda is located on Georgian Bay, only 10 minutes' drive from Penetanguishene and 20 minutes' drive from Midland, Ontario. The park has four beaches, one designated as a dog beach and 30 kilometers of trails.

It's supposed to be a gorgeous park. When I was still tent camping, I lived quite close to this park but never had the opportunity to go; it was always filled up in the summer months. Hopefully we'll have nice weather and will be able to do some hiking, if not swimming, although I would expect in May that the water would still be very cold, so maybe wading. There are historical locations to see, if we have rainy or cooler days. Discovery Harbour in Penetanguishene and Sainte Marie Among the Hurons in Midland. Both of these attractions are dog friendly although I would assume like Upper Canada Village the dogs can't go in the buildings.

We'll stop in Emily Provincial Park on the way home for two nights to break up the journey. Emily was the first park we stopped at on our trip West. It poured rain one day that we were there, so we didn't see much of the park. The second day we were there we drove to Peterbourgh to see the lift lock and were lucky enough to see it in action.

Lift Lock in Peterbourgh, Summer 2022

I'm still planning on going east this summer. I had thought to go through the States but there doesn't seem to be a good East/West route, most highways seem to run North/South. There's also very few State Parks in New York with campsites with electricity and none in Vermont. So perhaps going through Canada like I did in 2019 is the best idea. I'll have to get moving on those bookings soon too.

We also booked the flights for our trip to Scotland this week. Things are getting real.

COME ON SUMMER!

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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother