Reflections

This was an adventure filled with scenic memories I will not forget. We rented a cottage for a week on Oxtongue Lake with friends. Oxtongue Lake (http://www.oxtonguelake.com/) is a community, a river and a lake near Algonquin Park in northern Ontario. The cottage is at the remote far end of the lake where access can only be gained by boat.

John and Linda looked after getting us an aluminum motor boat to use and it was perfectly seasoned and functional for our needs. It was a work horse, able to tow the kayaks and carry our loads of clothes, food etc. to keep us supplied for the week. The trip into the cottage from the small dock near the car park was only 5 or 10 minutes and so beautiful! The Lake is typical of the Algonquin area; calm, black and reflecting the beauty of the surrounding hills, bush and sky. Even 51 steps up to the cottage at the top of the bluff did not dampen my enthusiasm! Well, after several climbs with heavy loads I did waver a bit but it was worth it and we were much lighter on the way out.



This is a kayaker's paradise! We were able to climb into the kayaks easily from the dock or shore and explore the Lake as well as the River and Creeks that flow in and out of it. We kayaked Quiver Creek a couple of times. This was not far from the cottage and we had to "portage" over a couple of Beaver Dams. One dam was keeping the water up about 3 feet! We really felt surrounded by wilderness in here and enjoyed a crowded but delicious and fun picnic on slabs of rock surrounded by reeds.








We expected to see more wildlife but didn't see much except for water birds. One day a poor fawn that had been separated from it's mother swam across the lake. I can only hope the wee thing survived alone but it would be so vulnerable! Nature can be cruel at times. Mosquitoes and deer flies were in abundance but that kind of wildlife is not usually scarce and is part of the northern experience that you just tolerate.







Kayaking the Oxtongue River up to Ragged Falls is gorgeous. A picnic at the top of the falls was a highlight. John and I had canoed up here a few years ago and portaged around these rapids. I could hardly believe it when I got on the trail again this time. It is quite steep and rugged in spots though it is well travelled. This time we left the kayaks at the bottom.












"Dock surfing" was exquisite here. The dock was large, holding muskoka chairs and an umbrella with lots of room to lounge and gather. Swimming off the end was perfect. The dark water may seem intimidating at first but the water is actually clean and clear in a "tea colour" way. Tannins from decomposing leaves and plants is I think the cause of this. The water was warm and inviting. The darkness also enhances the reflections. At times, especially when the water is absolutely calm, the world in the reflection looks more real than the one above it. Mesmerizing!

On a rainy day we motored over to the end of Harris Road where the cars were parked and went into Algonquin Park. We toured the Logging Museum and were amazed by the hardships the men faced in the early years of logging in Northern Ontario. Also amazing is the extent to which the giant white pines were decimated in an incredibly short period of time. What loggers thought was an endless supply soon ran out and changed the landscape and ecology of Algonquin forever. The Algonquin that we know today in all it's beauty is not what it was before logging. Logging is still a major industry in Algonquin but of course it is well managed and sustainable. Near the cottage we did see a white pine, larger than any I have ever seen....I guess they missed it!

The Algonquin Visitor Centre is worthy of a visit to learn the history of the park and see some wonderful exhibits of animals and their habitats. A panoramic view from the back deck is surprising.

I am not sure that I would ever want to own a water access only cottage. I think if I spent most of my vacations there I would feel a bit restricted having to take a boat to land before being able to bike, hike or shop. Bad weather could really throw a wrench into things. A week here made for a wonderful holiday however!