2019: the summer camping begins

We found that once we got back from the big trip, our summer camping plans have become very loosey goosey. Previously, and mostly through necessity, by mid winter, our summer was planned and all booked out. We do have some trips planned, but for the most part, we will be winging it.

So far, we have started the camp season with a weekend jaunt, joined by Chris & Jen. They de-winterized, and we sort of did the same, just to give things a fresh start for the season.

For our next weekend, we headed to Sharbot Lake, and camped in one of our favourite spots.

Dale the Brave managed to enjoy a couple of brisk dips in the lake, while I kept watch on dry, warm land.

A pleasant surprise that weekend was when a 1743 pulled into the site beside us. We soon met Scott & Gail, who are fellow Ottawa Altoistes. They had with them a new, fine looking prospector style canoe, which looked even better gliding through the water.

We spent the last week of June at Driftwood, perhaps our favourite Ontario Park. Camping nestled amongst the pine, right by the beach, is a special treat. One never tires of looking out across the water, down the river, with the sun setting in just the picture perfect position.

Driftwood always gives you a variety of weather, be it sun, wind or rain, and it just rolls down the river right to you. Never a dull moment. We were thankful for the near steady onshore breeze, which for the most part, did a fine job of blowing the bugs back into the bush.

chillin Dale style...

chillin Barley style...

sunsets at Driftwood are generally awesome

We got in a few good paddles, mostly in the morning, as any thoughts of evening paddles were soon put to rest by the swarms of blackflies. They were worse than we have ever seen, but a good campfire and the breeze kept them at bay.

Camp cooking once again became the norm, and the Q got a good workout. Hard to beat a tasty plate of food, washed down with a cold beverage, all while the sun starts to set right in front of you. A little slice of heaven.

loving the grill mat...super versatile

A weekend at Silver Lake PP rounds out this post. Our start was delayed one evening by a large thunderstorm that rolled through Ottawa at just the time we were to pull out. By the time it cleared a couple of hours later, there was no point in leaving. Always best to stay off the roads when the weather is bad, especially while towing. Any destination can wait till the weather clears.

We set up camp on one of our two favourite sites, this one sitting up above the water, with a great view right down the lake.

mmm...this IS a tasty burger

As it is an open site, up went the awning to give us some afternoon shade, and give us some protection from the various storms that were predicted by Environment Canada. None of these later storms actually occurred, which was great, but the alarmist tone that generally accompanies these forecasts is a tad extreme.

Being in full sun, we had gobs of solar power available, so the battery was easily brought back to full charge. In fact, the Trimetric solar controller was able to use this extra power to actually provide an overcharge to the battery, a capability provided by the extensive charging algorithms available with this setup. Lithium batteries may be the current rage, but I would suggest a good deep cycle flooded battery that is being well charged and maintained by a quality, user configurable solar controller, will provide an excellent source of off grid 12 volt power.

Our next trip is to Sandbanks PP, a pilgrimage we make every year, as the whole area is such a treat. We can’t wait!