Killarney 2006

The highlight of the last few summers for the Wadd Squad has been our annual canoe trip to Killarney Provincial Park near Sudbury, Ontario. This was our 4th visit in 4 years but it also marked the 30th anniversary of Mike's first visit with his family in 1976.

This year we once again decided to just book one site and spend several days at the site and do lots of day trips. We chose Boundary Lake - which is just north of Silver Peak (the highest hill in the park). Last year we were on Sandy Lake - on the south side of the peak. There is only one campsite on Boundary so for the 2nd year in a row we had our own private lake.

Some of the highlights of our trip are shown in the photos (with captions) below. Check the blog more photos and stories in a few days from now.

Adventure Girl! leads the way on the railway portage from Three Mile Lake into Balsam Lake. Now if all portages were this easy.

View from our tent on a beautiful morning on David Lake. A beautiful way to start the day.

Emma "summits" Silver Peak for the 2nd time in 2 years. This time an easy route up the trail on the north slope. Very clear. We could see Lion's Head across Georgian Bay.

Mike celebrated his birthday in Killarney this year. Emma and Mama Sue used birch bark, twigs and pine cones to wrap his present. The birthday celebration included an orienteering race on a map made by Emma, a pinata, a birthday cake with ice cream (freeze dried of course) and a 4 piece orchestra (stones, pine cones, sticks and dried leaves) playing "Happy Birthday". The B-day Smores Fest was cancelled due to rain. Mike wants to spend his 40th Birthday in the park as well.

The beautiful quartzite hills of the LaCloche Range. This is one of our favourite things about Killarney. Not only are there great lakes to swim and paddle in but you can explore the awesome open rock ridges and slopes as well.

Sunrise on Boundary Lake - shortly followed by the morning swim and blueberry pancakes from freshly picked blueberries from Silver Peak. We were surprised that so many berries were still ready for the picking.

Reflections....

Emma and Starr swimming on Bell Lake at the end of the trip.