People I’ve met over the years have often asked me why Algonquin? What’s so special about it? Those who have been to Algonquin many times get it and understand. It’s hard to describe that feeling I get when I’m in Algonquin. It’s one of peace, serenity, and the feeling of being able to breathe. As I said it’s hard to truly understand but I’ll try to explain. When you live in the city and go through the daily life you sometimes find it hard to breathe. That life is passing you by and you are missing everything. Algonquin is my place to breathe, to take in life, and to get rid of all the stress that builds up during the year.
I was introduced to Algonquin when I was around the age of 2. I don’t know what exactly we did whether it was a canoe trip or just a camping trip and I really don’t remember the trip at all but there is photographic evidence down in my basement. I’ve grown up there though pretty much every summer since I was around 5/6. It has been my summer vacation playground. My home away from home. It’s where I learned how to canoe and be considerate of nature. It’s where I discovered who I am as a person. It’s where I watched my mom come alive. Where my family felt the closest with no worries or fears.
When I saw my mom in Algonquin camping or at our Dorset cottage she was a completely different person. It was like all the stress of the school year melted away and she was able to relax with us. She was happy all the time but she was even happier when we were camping. It wasn’t uncommon for her to make friends at the campgrounds that have ended up being life long friends. She sat on the beach either reading or knitting, talked with other mom’s, or swam in the lake with us. There were many times where we would swim from the beach in Canisbay lake to the island across the way or we went for a canoe ride at sunset.
Algonquin is my place to run away from the everyday. It’s my sanctuary, my place to breathe, my place to live.
Part of me is baffled that there are many many people out there that haven’t had the opportunity to experience it like I have. My family used to go on overnight canoe trips. My dad took us kids out for two or three nights at a time. When we bought a cottage I started to lose that love I had for Algonquin…it was harder for me to have the same feeling and I turned away for a few years. It wasn’t until I was older and I started camping by myself that I realized how much I missed it.
My love for Algonquin is the main reason I started the blog. I love being able to share my experiences with others. I love helping people discover what Algonquin is all about and hopefully discover how much they love it. Algonquin isn’t for everyone I know that but one can dream. I hope this makes it a little clearer about why I love it.
~Enjoy your trip!