Summer's Far From Over

There’s still plenty of time to get the most out of the last days of summer.  You simply need to make Ontario Parks your vacation destination.  At this time of year, you get the best of all worlds; parks aren’t quite as busy so reservations are easier to get and there’s more opportunity for the solitude and privacy you’re craving.   Days are still warm, but nights are cooler; perfect for campfires and  a refreshing sleep.  And besides, the bugs are practically non-existent at this time of year!  Late summer delivers more of what you want from a great vacation – and all that you like best about camping. What more could you ask for?  Get packing!

Did you know that there’s a really quick way to find out where campsites are available across the province?  Check out the Campsite Availability Grid - its red light, green light format quickly tells you where campsites are available.  Why not challenge yourself to try somewhere completely new?  Have you ever been to Mississagi?  Or Neys? Or Kettle Lakes?

“I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least - and it is commonly more than that - sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements.”  ~ Henry David Thoreau

Here are the Top Ten Reasons Why You Need a Vacation - Now!

1. You work too much.
2. A new environment will spark your creativity.
3. You're becoming less than a barrel of laughs.
4. It's been too long since your last one.
5. You need to reconnect with the world of nature.
6. It's good to get out of the house.
7. You need to put your career/family life in perspective.
8. Fresh air is its own reward.
9. A fresh outlook is better than a tired one.
10. Vacations are not only good for you - they're fun.

“Vacation used to be a luxury, but in today's world it has become a necessity.”  ~ Author Unknown

Here's What to Pack

When you’re a veteran camper, it’s easy to get organized.  But when you’re not, it’s a bit intimidating to try to think of EVERYTHING you’ll need.  So, here’s a list which will help – whether you’re packing for you, for your family or for an outing with close friends.  Just click here (pdf)

“Those that say you can't take it with you never saw a car packed for a vacation trip.”  ~ Author unknown

Spark Your Sense of Wonder

You’ll find no better classroom than the great outdoors – with ‘no books and no teacher’s dirty looks’!  Each year, Ontario Parks earns top marks for its natural and cultural heritage education programs.   Some of our most popular programs only happen at the end of summer.

Late in summer, Monarch butterflies begin a long distance odyssey back to their winter homes in Mexico.  See the butterflies gathering together for this journey at the Monarchs and Migrants Weekend at Presqu’ile.

During Thursday evenings in August, Algonquin hosts its famous Wolf Howl.  This very special event only happens if park staff are able to locate a nearby wolf pack, so you have to keep your ear to the ground for the announcement that the howl is on.  But the stirring sound of wolves baying and calling back to each other is not to be missed.

Also happening in August are  the Spirits of the Past Weekend at Kakabeka Falls, Water and Wetlands at Blue Lake, and a Spirit Hike at Rushing River to name a few.  And there’s always something special going on at Lake Superior.

 When school starts, no one in their class will have better stories for Show’n’Tell.

For more information on these – and on other late summer park events – check our on-line Events section.  In Ontario Parks, the learning always comes naturally.

[Photo from The Learning Place, Petroglyphs Provincial Park]

Look up For One of Ontario's Greatest Tourist Attractions

You’ll never forget the first time you see the Northern Lights – it’s a Canadian camping rite of passage and the experience has long fascinated mankind.  Many travel thousands of kilometres just to see the Aurora Borealis.  The Northern Lights occur when elements of the earth’s atmosphere interact with highly-charged electrons from solar winds, attracted to the magnetic effects of the North Pole.  This produces the multi-hued ‘dancing light’ effect for those fortunate enough to see them.  We only wish we could predict when they occur – because – as anyone who’s seen them will tell you – they’re unforgettable when they do.  However, your best bets are in the provincial parks of northern Ontario, where the skies are darkest and the Lights more frequent. - [Photo: Rick Stankiewicz]

And remember for another sure-fire thrill, all you need is a clear night and a pair of binoculars to find the Big and Little Dipper or Orion the Hunter.

“A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking.”  ~ Earl Wilson

Won – Seven Days With The Giant

Congratulations to Anna Persaud of Mississauga, Ontario - the lucky winner of the 2008 Great Ontario Outdoor Adventure of a Lifetime. Anna along with three family members and friends will be spending 7 days exploring one of Canada’s Natural Wonders – Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and the City of Thunder Bay. We’ll be sharing details of their extraordinary adventure on their return.

The Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation and Ontario Parks thank all of those who contributed to the prize package and the City of Thunder Bay who co-ordinated many aspects of the contest and supported it to the fullest.

Barbeque Recipe

Here’s a tasty recipe from our friends, The Cooking Ladies.  Please visit their website www.thecookingladies.com for other great ideas and updates on their camping adventures.

Beef Kebobs

3/8 cup - 90ml - canola oil
3/8 cup - 90ml - cider vinegar
1 1/2 - 22.5 ml - Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp - 2.5 ml - salt
1/2 tsp - 2.5 ml - coarsely ground pepper
1 - clove garlic, minced
1/2 tbsp - 7.5 ml dried basil
1/8 tsp - 0.63 ml - dried crushed red peppers
1 lb - 454g - thick cut sirloin steak

Makes 3 to 4 servings.

• Combine the canola oil, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic, basil and crushed red peppers in a bowl.  Mix well.
• Cut the sirloin steak into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes.
• Place the marinade in a large Ziploc bag or flat covered dish.  Add the cubed beef.  Toss and shake the beef to coat every piece with the marinade.  Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
• Remove the beef from the marinade.  Discard the marinade.  Thread the beef cubes on metal skewers without squeezing the pieces too tightly together.
• Preheat the barbecue on high for 10 minutes then turn the heat down to medium-high.  Oil the grate.
• Grill the beef for 10 to 12 minutes with the lid closed.  Turn the kebobs every few minutes to brown the meat on all sides.

“No man needs a vacation so much as the person who has just had one.” ~ Elbert Hubbard

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!

Heather Jacks tells us about the first time she howled for wolves:

A few years ago my friend and I were on our annual Algonquin Park camping trip and we missed the community Wolf Howl that takes place on Hwy 60, but wanted to try it for ourselves. 
 
We howled like a pair of croaky frogs, but to our extreme surprise we got an answer.  However, the reply sounded like it came from the small bit of woods directly across from where we stood, it was loud and very clear and very close.  Once again we looked at each other, but this time without the giggle, we let out a pair of AHHHHHH's, and started running.  The car never seemed so far away as it did at that moment.  We ran like our lives depended on it, until we reached the car, we jumped in and for some reason locked the doors.  We questioned that detail later on, perhaps we thought the wolves had developed the ability to open car doors.

We sat in the car, hearts pounding, looked at each other and started laughing hysterically.  If only we could have video taped ourselves, the image I now have of the two of us running from the sound of wolves sets me off on another bout of giggles.
 
The rest of our howl was performed in the comfort of our car, even though we heard the wolves again, this time they were way off in the distance.  The following morning on our trek down Opeongo Road we found some wolf scat not far from where we stood for that first howl.  Not only did the wolves acknowledge our presence from the night before, but had the last laugh with their symbolism.

• Summer's Far From Over
• Top Ten Reasons
• Here's What to Pack
• Sense of Wonder
• Look Up!
• Won - Seven Days
• Barbeque Recipe
• Share Your Memories