After pushing through the prairies, we were running a day ahead of schedule. A quick phone call to the campground in Kenora confirmed they had a temporary site available with water and power. We backed into the site, and left the trailer hitched so we could have a quick move in the morning.
Day One. We had a slow start to the day, waiting for noon to roll around so we could move into our reserved site. During our relocation, we swung past the campground sanidump (also known as a pump out in Ontario) and drained all tanks for an extended stay. We set up the trailer, and installed the sun shade on the roll out awning, giving us privacy and protection.
Lake of the Woods dominates this section of the province, with thousands of islands and thousands of kilometres of shoreline. Cottages and mansions dot the shoreline, each with their their own personality. A range of water craft from small fishing boats up to large motor yachts, moored and waiting for their owners return. Fishermen left early in the morning, and returned at the end of the day, each with their catch or tall stories about the size of the one that got away.
Day Two. A summer storm rolled through the region, the clouds dark and heavy. The rain came in sheet after sheet, washing the prairie dust off the truck and trailer. Shortly after, the sun emerged and the humidity skyrocketed.
Day Three. A fresh morning, sun in a cloudless sky, we unhitched the bicycles, loaded Chloe into her bicycle backpack, and rode through Kenora.
The old stone and brick buildings standing proud, rich in history, having survived the ravages of time. For more information about the rich history of Kenora, visit Wikipedia.
We continued our ride out of town, past Husky the Muskie, towards the Tunnel Island Trails.
The trails were a mix of wide gravel roads, single track paths, and narrow technical trails crisscrossed with roots.
The scenery was amazing, the flow of water between the islands constantly moving on to the next lake. I stood before the panorama, amazed at the stillness.
On our way back to camp, we stopped at the Old Chip Truck to share a much deserved extra large bucket of salt and vinegar chips. The calories we burned, rapidly being replenished with each tasty chip – it was well worth it.
We returned to camp, thirsty from the salt and vinegar chips, and relaxed under our awning while enjoying a cold Guinness. Our neighbour camper (from Winnipeg, Manitoba) brought over a plate of ribs they had smoked all day. The meat fell off the bone and they tasted divine. That’s what I love about trailer nomads – they’re a friendly community.
Feeling content, we relaxed under the awning. A brief flicker in the forest caught my attention. Ever so slowly, a deer emerged from the depths of shadow, stepping daintily like a ballerina, seeking the lush foliage at the forest edge. We locked eyes, acknowledged each other’s presence, and she continued about her grazing.
The sun sank lower on the horizon, it was time to walk down to the lake for some fishing. On the first cast, I caught my first Northern Pike, and discovered they have some incredibly large and sharp teeth.
Day Four. With some stiff muscles after our ride, we took the truck and ran a few errands to replenish supplies. It was a good day to catch up on our blog.
The clouds rolled in, the sky darkened, we heard the distant thunder, growing closer and closer with each crash. The torrential rain fell, the awning was partially wound in and lowered to prevent damage. It didn’t last long, enough to wash the dust away, and freshen up the beautiful landscape for our last day in Kenora.
We felt refreshed after our extended stay, the campers were friendly, the cycling was incredible, and the fishing was a new experience.