Paddle in a New Direction

This issue’s theme is something we take literally, encouraging everyone to discover new ways to explore the unknown and to realize fresh ways to take another look at what may seem familiar.

We turn our attention to the canoe – the perfect way to slow things down and take a closer look. The canoe remains a monumental symbol to the settlement of our country – in fact, many have said that Canada would not have existed were it not for the canoe, which proved essential to defining national boundaries. Developed by the First Peoples of the New World, the canoe proved the perfect transportation solution in a land criss-crossed with lakes and rivers. The canoe we know best – a wooden frame covered with birch bark and sealed with spruce resin – was light enough to be carried yet sturdy enough to support a large load. As the increased demand for fur drove Europeans farther into the country, larger canoes were built to carry more people and heavier cargoes. The spirited voyageurs who became the backbone of commerce-driven exploration, added colour to Canadian culture. And now – even though an RV is slightly different than a canoe – this same spirit is becoming part of yours.

“I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.”
- Rosalia de Castro

Finding Your Way

If you look closely at any of Frances Anne Hopkins' fur trade paintings, you'd be hard-pressed to find a voyageur studying his GPS unit. Imagine how their lives would have changed - and ours - armed with electronic charts for every lake, portage and river from Montreal to Prince Rupert? Some two hundred years later, you can load the RV and be ready to head out to Chutes Provincial Park with your satellite navigation system leading the way. That's because Ontario Parks' staff have begun to identify some park entrances by their Global Positioning System co-ordinates. With GPS, you don't even have to stop and ask directions (not that you ever would, anyway). How we voyageurs have evolved.

Here are the co-ordinates for Chutes and some other parks in northeastern Ontario:

	UTM Northing	UTM Easting
Chutes	5118849.52469	416953.35482
Nagagamasis	5484750.86450	232140.02705
Ivanhoe Lake	5336942.87237	388398.71706
Mississagi	5159788.37664	367902.42749

Of course you can still use the trusty official Ontario road map to find some northern gems such as Sandbar Lake, Rushing River and Ojibway provincial parks.

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”
- Jawaharlal Nehru

Driving Up Your Standards

Whether you’ve just bought your first RV or are renting a trailer for a two week Ontario Parks' vacation in northern Ontario, you should keep some basic safety steps in mind before backing out of your driveway.

Adjust all mirrors.
Be aware that RVs have a much larger turning radius.
Allow more time to brake or to change lanes.
Check the maximum weight your vehicle can pull.
Make sure your trailer is hitched correctly.
Synchronize the trailer's brakes, turn signals and taillights with the towing vehicle.
Have someone direct you or check around the vehicle before reversing.
Always ensure that you and every passenger are wearing seat belts.

NOTE: You do not need a special licence to drive or tow the majority of RVs.

Warm-up Before Exercising

From a walk in the park to a relaxing tour of the lake by canoe, always remember that you may be using muscles that don’t get used regularly. To avoid unnecessary aches and pains, make sure your body is warmed up. Prepare those muscles and joints before canoeing. It may look like a leisurely paddle is an activity that only affects the arms. In fact, it’s the torso that gets a workout, as it’s the key ingredient in driving the canoe forward with its propelling force. Strengthen and tone the torso through exercise like yoga or Pilates – improving your posture as it adds endurance. If you are considering a longer, more strenuous canoe trip, short daytrips will build up those muscles as will running or cycling. Because paddling requires an active upper body, prepare yourself with some light physical activity or key stretches (shoulder, neck, chest, legs, sides) – which will increase your range of motion and may reduce soreness and injury down the road. Remember to stretch when you’ve finished your activity, too. Follow-up stretches are just as important as they’ll help keep joints limber as they safeguard against muscle stiffness.

Paddling Partners

As we suggested earlier, your RV and a canoe are the ideal blend of the comforts of home with the excitement of being an explorer. And, you don’t always need your own canoe. Many Ontario Parks offer canoe rentals. Alternatively, you’ll often find outfitters in nearby communities who provide everything you need for a day paddle or a true backcountry adventure. Whether it’s for 5 hours or 5 days, you can savour the best of the outdoors and still have a home on wheels to return to.

For that quiet, less crowded experience you’ll definitely want to look to northern Ontario. The landscapes of Finlayson Point, Wakami Lake, White Lake, Rainbow Falls, Caliper Lake and Blue Lake will remain in your memory for a lifetime.

For a list of those parks offering canoe rentals, click here

And to find a friendly outfitter, visit:
paddlingontario.com
peat.on.ca
canoenorthwestontario.ca

“Life is uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time.” - Leo F. Buscaglia

When the north wind blows

When the North Wind Blows

As a canoeist, you must always be prepared for windy conditions so it’s important to never overload your canoe. The higher the centre of gravity, the more unstable your boat will be. With your weight low and centred, your load will act like a keel. If you usually paddle from the seated position, moving to a kneeling position further lowers your centre of gravity and makes your craft more stable. The bailing can which is a legally required part of your safety kit, is essential with extreme rainfall as rolling water inside adds to your canoe's instability. Never paddle against strong winds and against the waves that come with it and never paddle sideways to the wind. Paddle with the wind and waves to your stern as you head for safety. Should you tip-over, a waterproofed bag along with your required and Canadian Coast Guard approved PFD will float and provide you with something to hang on to.

Stove-top Recipe: Zesty Chicken Bites

This tantalizing dish (makes 4 servings) is courtesy of The Cooking Ladies. Take a minute to visit them at their website (thecookingladies.com) for their latest RV adventures and look for them ‘on the road’ as they bring their tasteful lifestyle to your town. For example, the ladies will be in Kenora on August 2, Dryden on August 4 and in Cochrane on August 9.

Zesty Chicken Bites
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp (30 ml) barbecue sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice
1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) salt
1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) pepper
2 to 3 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 tbsp (7.5 ml) dried basil leaves
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) paprika
1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) crushed red pepper flakes
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
1 cup (240 ml) cooked rice

Trim the chicken breasts of any fat and cut the chicken into cubes.
In a bowl, create a sauce by combining the barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic, basil, paprika and red pepper flakes.
In a frying pan, heat the olive oil and cook the chicken cubes over medium high heat for 5 minutes or until browned and no longer pink, stirring often.
Turn the heat down to low and pour the sauce over the chicken.
Stir and simmer for 3 minutes.
Serve the chicken bites and sauce over the cooked rice.

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 best story or photo 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!

Mike and Marilyn Hamel write about Mississagi Provincial Park ...
"Morning coffee" - The peace & tranquility of this park cannot be surpassed. The mornings start with a light fog over the lake, early canoers and a cup of piping hot coffee at the lake. Life cannot get any better than this!