Consolidation media... #OurPurpleCanoe

I am in the process of 'consolidating' all my social media accounts under one handle with the goal of maintaining one identity across them all.  It wasn't easy to find a 'handle' that was representative and available.
After many, many tries and getting 'already taken', I entered  'OurPurpleCanoe' into the name field which produced an 'available' message.  Glad and relieved it was available and best addressed what I was hoping to achieve, I set about making the transition.

OurPurpleCanoe.blogspot.ca

Please update your bookmarks

Our #OntarioParks Free Admission Day July 17th #HPHP

Last week we got a call from Mark and Maureen who said come on up here to Cobourg on Thursday and we can go spend the day on the water Friday at #CharlestonLkPP.  You didn't have to twist our arms too hard and soon a plan was formulated.  The traffic was a bit slow through Toronto due to the HOV lane restrictions for the PanAm Games - should have put a dummy in the back seat, lol - but a fairly good ride nonetheless.
The plan was to use their watercraft so I wouldn't have to haul up #thepurplecanoe for the day.  We arrived in the afternoon Thursday and proceeded to secure the canoe and kayaks onto the roof.

Ready to go - looks like it can fly.

The next morning we managed to get out by about 8:30.  Sandwiches for lunch, hot dogs for supper, packed, along with lots of water and juice. Of course the one thing I never thought of bringing was an extra set of clothes.  It would have been prudent in this case.  We made a pit stop in Gananoque at Tim's.  As you can see the hot chocolate I was drinking didn't want to stay in the cup.  NO backup t-shirt!

Suggestions 'poured' in - rinse it in the water, wear your lifejacket without the shirt and hopefully it will dry.  I decided a much easier, although somewhat costly solution, was to buy a t-shirt from the office when we got to the park.  So that is what happened.  Everyone else also decided to purchase a shirt.  Registration done, we headed over to Shady Ridge and the beach launch.  Found a parking spot, undid the canoe and kayaks and before you could say "I love CharlestonLkPP" we were paddling our way to the far side of Whitefish Island.  The sky was overcast and the water flat.  It looked like it could rain but it wasn't yet.  Funny, because a few days ago, the forecast had said sun and clouds for today.

As you can see there was other watercraft about.







There was no plan to go for a big long paddle this time,  it was just paddling around the shore of the island and relaxing a bunch taking in the sights.  After awhile, it became apparent that there was a lack of bugs - mosquitoes and deer flies were absent - puzzling but we weren't complaining in the least.  Every little while it would sprinkle but it wasn't heavy enough to get you wet.

   

Couldn't help but notice though, that every time it sprinkled it lasted longer and was just a bit heavier.  We were not deterred.  Watched a mink running along the shore but couldn't get the camera focused soon enough.  Seems to be my nemesis, that mink.  Paddled over to a smaller rock island that is half park and half privately owned and was amazed by the number of red ants scurrying about - the place was quickly ruled out for our lunch picnic.  Ended up going over to a picnic table over near the dog swimming area.

After a stretch and sandwiches it was back on the water.  It was still smooth and the sky was overcast with a wee bit of drizzle in the air.  We paddled, pausing quite a bit along the shoreline.  My mind was clear - there is no better way to recharge and refocus than to have a commune with Mother Nature.
The drizzle was getting a bit more steadier now and around 4pm we headed back.  It took awhile to get everything back up to the van and secured, then it was off to the day use area for a bbq.  The drizzle forced us to bbq right by the van and eat inside.  We had hoped to take a walk out to the boardwalk and decided to go for it.

Wasn't much to see and we didn't have time to hang around and see what would show up because just after we got to the boardwalk the drizzle changed to rain and it really wanted to get us soaked.  Except for the open spaces, we received a lot of protection from the tree canopy overhead.

I guess all good days wind up sooner or later... the rain followed us half way home and then it was gone. Another great day with good friends and I will always smile contently when I look at my 'newly acquired' #OntarioParks t-shirt and reminisce about the day it entered my collection. 

Thank you Ontario Parks and Coleman for "Healthy Parks Healthy People" day.  Hopefully others were inspired to get outside and visit a park

Here is some of the wildlife we saw at #CharlestonLkPP

 

 

Baby King Birds
Osprey
Deer
Blue Heron
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Black Rat Snake
Loon

#CharlestonLake
#ThePurpleCanoe

Paddling around is a great way to see nature.  With the exception of the snake, these pics were taken from the canoe paddling along the shoreline, mostly in the area around Whitefish Island.
On our last day there when packing up, we were fortunate to see the #BlackRatSnake slither acrosss the road right in front of our campsite - a nice way to end another wonderful camping experience at #CharlestonLkPP

Fishing Friday

A much nicer day today, lots of sunshine and warm air.  Spent a few minutes at the Landsdowne Farmers Market. Always talked about going so this year we finally made it. Not a lot to offer: some vegetables, herbal teas, jewelry, essential oils and some baked goods.  Maybe we hit a slow week but I did manage to buy an apple pie for supper's dessert.
As I type this we are out in #thepurplecanoe trying our hand at fishing.  Liz caught a nice bass, around 3+ lbs. I figure.  Will update with some pics when wr get back.  Whoops, thing I'm getting a bite...

Photo update:

Happy Canada Day

Waking up to the sound of raindrops however soothing, is not the best way to start Canada Day.  Clearing up or not, going to go out in #thepurplecanoe .  The only drawback is the camera and keeping it dry.  If I don't take it sure as heck we'll see something special, it's Murphy's Law.
  For now, coffee and BobFM.

prepare the Purple Ness

Yesterday while thinking the day might be a wash,  the rain stopped and the sun peeked out between the clouds.  We rushed a quick supper and then it was onto the water.
Ended up to be a nice paddle.
Watched deer at the waters edge, a loon popped up not far from the canoe and then took a few pics of the osprey in her nest.  Looks like she has some young in there but they weren't peeking over the edge yet.  I will update with pictures when we get back home.

Into every vacation a little rain must fall

Well that was an invigorating day and a half of rain.   Instead of paddling #thepurplecanoe we spent yesterday in Brockville.  Nice town spread out along the water.  Had a nice late lunch at The Union Jack Pub, fish & chips for me and liver & onions for Liz, washed down with a Newcastle Brown Ale.
Came back to #CharlestonLkPP and enjoyed a full evening of rain, unfortunately indoors :-(