We left Driftwood Provincial park and headed west, the weather was good and it was a short trip to Samuel de Champlain Provincial park. We were registered and set up in our site by 1400, a perfect reason to celebrate and treat ourselves to dinner in the thriving metropolis of Mattawa. Karen had her mind set on Thai, but the place was closed (we soon discovered that the town had been hit with a lengthy power outage forcing us into the only place that ran a back up generator.
Le Voyageur Inn, not only had a generator, it also served up amazing Thai supper. I was worried I might have to leave Karen to wash dishes, as it became apparent that despite a back up generator….their debit/credit machine was not working….as luck would have it Karen had enough cash, saving her from an evening of toil in a strange kitchen.
Samuel de Champlain is a very well run park, very popular with families, with multiple beaches throughout the park (none allow dogs much to Marcus’s annoyance) One of the most popular activities here seem to be tubing down the Amable du Fond river that runs through the park and into the Mattawa river. (Karen and I tried finding a place in the town of Mattawa to buy something to float on – to no avail) We will bring something next time.
After our lucky escape from kitchen drudgery, we decided to explore into Algonquin Provincial park, and do another recce for future camping trips. This time to Kiosk campground. The road in, much to Marcus’s pleasure was paved and smooth, however both Karen and I were not overly impressed with the campground, no hiking trails, and the beach was not as nice as many other offerings in the region.
On the way out we stopped to hike at the Eau Claire Gorge. I had brought along my ND Filters in the hope of getting some interesting shots, but at site I could not find them – I knew retirement came with consequences, apparently memory loss is one of them, I must have left them back at camp. The trail system here is spectacular, well maintained, and at no cost.
We headed home after thoroughly enjoying the spectacular trail. On arriving back at camp I discovered my tres expensive filters were AWOL (the silver lining of course is that my memory was not corrupted by retirement) The next day at Karen’s insistence (She has the optimism in this family) We returned to search for the filters. Karen stopped into the Calvin township office (just outside the trail access road) To happily discover someone had found the filters on the road side, and returned them. We have his name, and are going to sent a thank you card with $100 Tim Hortons gift card. We decided to hike the trail again.
As a treat for the recovery of the filters, we decided to forego making lunch and treat ourselves to a lunch at the Mattawa River Resort and Cardinal Restaurant, just down the road from our campsite. We were very pleasantly pleased with the resort (may return again to stay) They were dog friendly and served a great lunch.
Not only did we have a great lunch, they also allow free boat launch or use of their facilities if you dine. Karen and I decided to explore this part of the river after lunch.
We paddled to “The Gut” the bridge at the far end of the Etienne trail loop, far easier to paddle 1 Km to see the bridge than hike 8 Km.
Our four day stay was coming to a close, we have both really enjoyed this campground, and the surrounding area. Samuel de Champlain has a lot to offer, ample roads to bike, beaches and tubing river, and many trail systems ranging from easy to “wow feel the calf burn’ Marcus was asking for bed early every night.
On our last morning before heading off on another adventure I took Marcus out for a very early walk around Moore Lake, it was a beautiful morning, up before any other campers, not even the slightest whiff of bacon in the air that early, a sure sign that either you are up too early, or you missed one hell of a party the night before!
This was a remarkable park, and highly recommended. The region is filled with reminders of the history of the voyageurs, and in fact was named for Samuel de Champlain a navigator, cartographer, draftsman, soldier, explorer, geographer, ethnologist, diplomat, and chronicler. (Almost as qualified as a Sapper) We missed the opportunity to paddle in a replica of the great Voyageur canoes, but from what I have heard it is a great excursion offered by the park. until the next story……..thanks for reading
Reader Comments
If you are up this way again, a nice paddle is from Pimisi Bay to Talon Chutes. Just up the highway west of the park, nice picnic area to launch from. Sam is a great park.
Thanks Peter, we will have to try it. This year is going to be a little slow as Karen has injured her shoulder, sort of puts the kaibosh on portaging and paddling.
Loved this blog John – you certainly hide your light under a bushel! it is so well written and enjoyable and the photos are great. You should publish your own Camping Magazine. Good to see Karen and Marcus having a fun time too!
Midge and Stan
Thank you, we enjoy putting these blogs out….no plans on publishing..just retired and enjoying the lack of responsibility and absence of deadlines.
On waking this morning, there was your latest blog on my ‘phone!
Took the iPad to my b/fast cafe and have thoroughly enjoyed the most informative and interesting read.
On a personal note, I did love the shots of Karen not forgetting Marcus, also of you cooking your risotto ( I find cooking risotto most therapeutic….25 mins, stress less)!
Thank you again for that blog…..lifts the spirits!
The risotto took on a unique Canadian flavour, it was impossible to keep pine needles or mosquitoes from landing in it, you can’t cover it, need to keep stirring for 25 plus minutes…will make it under a tarp next time!
It is great that you are enjoying it. John does find making Risotto relaxing as well.
Of course, not as relaxing as eating it.
Eating your Risotto is the best. Beautiful area and again lovely pictures .
Thanks…but if I’m going to fit that wetsuit I’m going to have to go easy on food like that…one plate of risotto is equal to 12 glasses of wine!