I have taught the ways of the wilderness for well over thirty years and have authored a novel which dives deep into the shadows that follow you as you traverse wilderness trails. It is my hope to reach as many people as possible to tell everyone that the wilderness is not a place to be wary of. It is the only place where a person can dig deep into their soul and find that which is hidden to them by modern day society.
~ R.G. Wright - Hawks Shadow

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

The Big Question. Why the heck are we doing this?

I have been asked this question many times throughout the years. 

I answer as best I can, trying to paint a picture with my words. 

My paddle pulls me through these scenes and my mind consumes the visions relayed to it via all of my senses. 

I am absorbed into the natural world and become lost in its embrace.  


Perhaps, this short video will help solidify my words. 




Monday, October 28, 2019

Our Swift Canoe takes a nap. Day four of Ten in Algonquin Park.


Liam and I catch a much needed break. 

We spend the day hanging out on a beautiful campsite situated on Kildeer Lake in Algonquin Park. 

Early in the morning, while Liam catches up on his beauty sleep, I paddle over to the old Canadian National Railway line which serviced this area of the park. 

Liam; well rested and full of his usual youth-full vigor, decides that this day of rest should entail the rigors of an exercise routine. 

I simply stand and video the process, completely at ease with my age and my desire to not compete. 

As the day progresses, we melt into the land and soak in the peace which surrounds us. 

Tomorrow, I will get to accompany Liam of Algonquin to Radiant Lake, which rests quietly north-west of our present position.  

For now, I think I will just watch the sun go down. 



Night time closes in us while we are still on the trail. Canoe Tripping in Algonquin Park.

Liam and I arrive at the junction of the Crow River and White Partridge Creek at approximately three pm. 

The journey to this juncture has tested us and has left us wondering if we should continue on. 

Our food is dehydrated. Water is required to re-hydrate it. I was far from comfortable taking the water from the relatively stagnant river. Regardless of how good our filter is, Giardia and other little bugs are just waiting for new hosts. 

As I wander up the small incline at the start of the next long portage, I encounter a campsite littered with glow sticks. My reaction is inevitable. 

That same reaction re-rejuvenates my diminished energy levels and we decide to move on. 

As I move through the long portage trail, the creature within my book "A Long Paddle Home" comes into my mind like a wraith and pushes me. 






Saturday, October 26, 2019

We push ourselves to near exhaustion. Day Three - Algonquin Park.

Liam and I wake up as the faint light of a new day infiltrates our tent. We pack up our gear, load the canoe and head out to see what the third day of our trip in Algonquin Park has in store for us.  

We have deep reservations about the planned route.
Low water levels have us questioning our ability to make it to our next campsite before nightfall. 

The day begins with a Bald Eagle as it flies out from the south shoreline, it circles us and then heads back the way it came. Omen - Maybe. 



Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Portaging thoughts while canoe tripping in Algonquin Park.


Stay tuned! 

Liam and I embark on the third leg of the trip. 

Tired from the night before, we plunge our paddles into the cold water's of Crow Bay. 


We head out for a day which will direct the course of the rest of our stay in Algonquin Park.  

As we wander, I begin to imagine what it would be like to walk with the ancient ones through this place of mystery and wonder.  

The writer in me begins to see the pages of a new book. 



Sunday, October 20, 2019

A Fretful Night on Crow Bay in Algonquin Park


Upon finally reaching a campsite on Crow Bay, Liam and I settled in for what was to be a restless night. 

The forest was quiet and pitch-dark as we climbed into our sleeping bags and looked over the route that was to be the next leg of our journey. 

This video shows the convolutions we went through to deal with the inevitable. 

We were supposed to stay on Crow Bay for two nights, reality changed our minds. 




Tuesday, October 15, 2019

We are in trouble! Day two in Algonquin Park



Liam and I embark on our second day of paddling. We had no idea of the trouble we were about to face. 

The low water level on the Crow River forced us to abandon the thought of actually canoeing. 


We had to embrace the reality that we were going to have to walk several kilometers before gaining paddle depth water. 


That is the beauty of a canoe trip; you never know what is around the next bend. 


Sunday, October 13, 2019

You have to check this view out! Crow Lake in Algonquin Park.



After setting up the camp on Big Crow Lake, Liam and I paddled over to the Ranger cabin to find the trail to the summit.

The trail to the look-out is located behind the outhouse, We took a different route to the top.

If you find yourself on Big Crow Lake in Algonquin Park - it is worth the climb to see the view. 

As I was sitting on the ancient rock outcrop, I could feel the power of the place and felt privileged that I was sitting where the ancient ones sat hundreds of years prior to my arrival on the planet. 



Saturday, October 12, 2019

140 KM trip through Algonquin Park. Day One. Two Guys with paddles.



My son and I embark on a journey through Algonquin Park.  

The route will take us on a round trip of approximately 140 Km. 

We are scheduled to be in the park for ten days. 

The trip will test us; physically and mentally.

Grab a paddle, sit back and enjoy, as the wilderness of Algonquin Park draws us into her embrace. 



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