Refresh, Rekindle, Rejuvenate
“It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
~ Mark Twain
Who doesn’t yearn to heed spring’s return through savouring the promise of its every gift? Symbolizing growth and rebirth, we’re ripe for change and an escape from winter’s icy chill to the comparably warm embrace of spring. Add the countless advantages to embracing nature at this time of year - the first of which is absolute silence, inner peace and the first glimpses of nature’s transition from white to green.
Imagine a day cross-country skiing through a pine forest, the sun warming your face as the fresh air rejuvenates your lungs. Whiskeyjacks (Grey jays) shriek for handouts just above the ever-present sounds of trickling water. The closer we can get to nature as she re-awakens, the more completely we enhance and heal our inner spirit, putting us in greater touch with ourselves and with each other. From the symphony of spring creepers and wood frogs, the explosion of colour as marigolds and trilliums erupt along the forest floor and the tell-tale call of the redwing blackbird signaling that spring has finally sprung - you’ve been ready to celebrate its return for months.
Consider the wealth of accommodation alternatives awaiting you this spring. The wilderness seeker can pitch their tent in the park of their choice while those with RVs and trailers can drive-in, plug-in and leave the rest to us. Ontario Parks also offers a variety of creature comfort options like yurts, rustic cabins or cozy cottages. Reserve a cottage at Sleeping Giant and enjoy the best cross-country skiing in northwestern Ontario. While in Thunder Bay, explore the “lakehead” city. Beginning in early May, reserve your own cabin, complete with bedrooms, a kitchen and living area – at Bonnechere, Bon Echo or choose from Algonquin’s rustic, century-old ranger cabins for a true glimpse of the interior. Fully furnished cottages are also available at Sandbanks, Sturgeon Bay and Balsam Lake.
Learn more 
Spring is for the birds
One of your rewards for enduring a long winter is the opportunity to witness the return of Ontario’s millions of migrating birds. With reduced foliage and maximum traffic, there’s no better time to dust off the binoculars and take in the world’s greatest air show. Key birding spots include Presqu’ile, Rondeau and Pinery. A not-to-be-missed event is the annual Huron Fringe Birding Festival at MacGregor Point.
And don’t forget that these birds are all heading north to nest, making our northern parks front and centre for the show. Time your visit to Lake Superior just right and you’ll catch the arrival of the Peregrine falcons.
Be Prepared
From mending that small tear in your tent to airing out that musty smelling sleeping bag, it pays to prepare for prime time. Chances are you’ll need a larger life-jacket for at least one of the kids. If you own a trailer or RV, there’s much to do to ready your unit for the camping season. Here’s a link to help. Another good source for RV-related information is www.gorving.ca . Don’t wait - take spring’s return as a wake-up call to get ready for the busy camping season ahead.
“In June as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them.” ~Aldo Leopold
Naturally Northern
While you may be familiar with southern Ontario’s provincial parks you may not be aware of a whole new natural world that awaits your discovery in the North.
Many backcountry adventurers believe that the true wilderness feeling they crave can only be found in Ontario’s north. Here the hiking trails and canoe routes are endless. Killarney alone boasts the 100 kilometre La Cloche Silhouette Trail while Quetico offers over 1,500 kilometres of lakes and rivers ripe for paddling. Follow Grey Owl’s watery paths across Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater, pause where the voyageurs stopped along the Missinaibi. Or take the train into Wabakimi. For maps and route suggestions, it’s best to contact park staff directly. Contact information on individual park web pages is found here: www.OntarioParks.com. Bring your own gear or enjoy complete outfitting by contacting these handy sites:
www.canoenorthwestontario.ca
www.paddlingontario.com
www.peat.on.ca
RV owners don’t need canoes to penetrate northern Ontario’s best spots. Discover RV-friendly campgrounds from Kakabeka Falls to Samuel de Champlain; Rushing River to Halfway Lake and Pancake Bay to Neys. Or get lost exploring all the distinctive attractions in between. From Kakabeka Falls, a must-visit is Fort William. Likewise, Science North is a must-see from Halfway Lake. Nearby Kenora makes your visit to Rushing River all the more memorable.
Our northern parks may be more family-friendly than any you have found along Lakes Ontario and Erie. Sand beaches abound; trails await; creature comforts are abundant. And you may just find a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere. Work unequalled
destinations like Kettle Lakes, Mississagi, Esker Lakes, Rushing River and Rainbow Falls into your park planning. Between the parks and their neighbouring attractions, you’ve only just begun to take advantage of Ontario Parks. Check these websites for more interesting ideas: www.tourismtimmins.com
www.kenora.ca/portal/tourism
www.terracebay.ca
Share Your Memories
Ontario Parks’ Insiders savour their outdoor adventures more than most. Reminisce with all of us – we’ll proudly publish your special experience in a future issue of the Insider. E-mail your story or photos today – a favourite destination, a special moment with nature or the funniest photo ever. You’ll be entered – instantly – into a monthly draw for your chance to win some great parks-related prizes!
From Manon Ringuette of Wasaga Beach, Ontario:
In search of snow we've journeyed far. By plane to the Rockies... By train through the Quebec Laurentians... And by car to Vermont, New Hampshire and just about every resort in the East known to winter enthusiasts. There has been no shortage of inspiring winter scenery along the way. And yet, just a short drive from home, we've found some of the prettiest forests around.
Nowhere will you find a more awesome postcard scene than in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park after a snow squall off Georgian Bay has blown through. Once the winds subside and the roads clear, waste no time exploring this winter playground - it's a forest grand enough to share with skiers, snowshoe and sledding enthusiasts.
Rolling sand dunes covered in virgin snow inspire trekkers just as a blank canvas motivates an artist. Mature pines and oak trees pepper a landscape that rises and falls gently over an ancient lake bed with the Nottawasaga River meandering through it. And if you tread softly, you may witness birds and mammals of countless varieties foraging through winter habitats, leaving telltale signs in the snow. After the next snowsquall hits the shores of Nottawasaga Bay, come out and trace your own tracks through this white wonderland... I promise you won't be disappointed!
Road-ready recipes
Who says camping can’t bring forth culinary excellence? It’s not all Bisquick and flame-charred hotdogs anymore. How about a recipe for “breakfast in a bag” or “Easy peach cobbler”? You’ll find them and many more here.
Or try Caryn Colman’s favourite recipe for pancakes (courtesy of Caryn Colman, Smoothwater Outfitters and Ecolodge in Temagami)
Ingredients for 4 servings:
2 cups of unbleached flour added to one-half cup of buckwheat flour
1 tbsp. oil or melted butter
1 egg and a pinch of salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
Add buttermilk or milk to desired consistency, depending on use. If you have 1 cup of the dry ingredients add 5 eggs and you have crepe batter.
Directions:
Your basic batter of flour, eggs and baking powder is the most versatile of all. A stiffer dough yields muffins. A mixture with more eggs gives you crepes.
Substitute apple and ginger for blueberries, caramelized in butter. Real maple syrup is essential.
Win Seven Days with The Giant
Don’t miss getting your name into this fantastic draw prize which closes on May 31, 2008. – The Great Outdoor Adventure Contest – Win Seven Days With The Giant
Click here to tell a friend about the Ontario Parks Insider.
Healthy by Nature
Welcome to the new reality of our times – as a country, there has been a huge upswing towards the importance of personal health. At the same time, Canadians love their parks and wild places. The connection between a healthy parks system and healthy Canadians is undeniable. We call it “Healthy by Nature” and you’ll be hearing a lot more about it as we discover fresh ways to put these ideas into practice.
Book ahead
To avoid disappointment, don’t forget to book your campsite in advance. Log onto www.OntarioParks.com or call
1 888 ONT PARK (668-7275).
Know that once your spot is saved, all you have to do is show up.
Get the jump on the one that got away
Once you’ve gotten a taste for a freshly caught fish, it only gets better with experience. And you can make that all-important first cast on the last Saturday in April as trout season opens across the province. Some say that pans and butter were invented for a fresh rainbow, brown or speckled trout. The rest of the fishing season opens on the last Saturday in June, adding the much-loved bass into the list of good-tasting possibilities.
For information about fishing in Ontario and how to obtain a licence, click here.
Get your complimentary copy of The Great Ontario Outdoor Adventure Calendar.
To receive your FREE copy call:
1 888 550-1362 (English)
1 888 550-1366 (French)
Getting the Inside story
Stay tuned to the Insider for key dates, special events and parks-related news. Plus, take advantage of Insider-only deals and offers from Ontario Parks and our partners. There’s a lot to look forward to in 2008 – don’t miss out!
Supported by The Strategic Tourism Development and Marketing Alliance For Northern Ontario