Yes, as the title says...
I entered into the Algonquin Highlands shortly after my last blog. I chose this path because it seemed to be appropriate to my physical condition. I haven't had much backpacking experience before...none aside from North Manitou...so I didn't want to go out too far into the wilderness by myself without experience.
All in all, the route was about 35-36 kilometers and consisted of many steep climbs up high into the mountain ranges. Beforehand I had to drive to the Mew Lake Campus to pick up a permit. I planned for four days and packed up food consisting of dried fruit and high quality nuts. No cooking + fat and protein = easy, sustainable nutrition. I packed lightly too, bringing just a tent, sleeping bag, clothes, knife, as well as other common backpacking items.
Right at the beginning I met two gents that were finishing up their hike. One was in between jobs while the other was going to school to be a civil engineer. Both men looked like they were tired (and happened to be caked with sweat.) I talked to them for a bit and then headed on my way.
Excitement, trepidation, and the change of pace from busyness to a woodsy stillness all arose within me. I took a lot of pictures in the beginning and, as time went on, began taking less as much of the scenery through the trails became thick woods. You will see in my pictures the gorgeous waterfall I came across in the beginning. My first "experience" happened shortly after.
I came upon a part of the trail that walks alongside of a small lake. Not too far ahead of me I saw a curious bird that had long legs, a slender body, and a curving neck leading up into a face with an extremely penetrating gaze. This bird let me get fairly close in order to take pictures. So I snapped a few and then tried snapping some more as it flew off.
I continued walking up until the trail split off. One trail led off to the right and, as I looked down the path, could tell that this was the direction I needed to go. Compared to the other path, this one had an unobstructed view for quite the ways. So, I spun around towards the lake to have a nice view while I was taking a piss. When I was finished I zipped up and swung myself about....right into the face of the biggest bloody wild animal I have ever seen in my life! It was a bloody good thing I took a piss beforehand! My body immediately went into fight or flight mode and, having never encountered such a creature, panicked into four beings. One wanted to run and scream, another wanted to reach for my camera, and a third thought about fight tactics. This was real funny because all the while my instinctive self slowly made its way behind a tree. The moose then began walking down towards the lake on the other side of the tree. It was around this time I snapped a few pictures and then scrambled away in case it decided to come out of the water.
This moose was not more than 15 feet away from me! It was exhilarating. I have been half joking with people saying, "I will come across a moose and a bear on my trip." Well....one down. ; )
I passed by my designated first camp and hiked on. It was too soon and I didn't want to stop there anyways. By the time I made camp there was still a few hours of daylight...with nothing to do. No reading, no meditation cushion, nothing. Just me with my thoughts and feelings. It was quite lonely. I wasn't alone...I was lonely. I have always considered the two different.
In the morning I woke up, packed camp, and headed on! I came across many beautiful places and took a lot of pictures. I am figuring out fast that my favorite part of backpacking is the hike, not the camp. So I did just that. Walk. I turned a 4 day trip into one full day and two partial days.
The second day also had a really funny incident.
In the middle of the woods I came across a very strange bird call. Immediately there was the recognition that the bird was injured. My sights confirmed this as you could see the bushes moving where it would run about, occasionally fluttering. It, of course, knew I was there and was warning me off. The bird ran in front of me and slightly towards where I was standing, letting me know that it would attack. I backed up behind a tree and it ran off into the bushes on the other side of the path. Curiosity got the best of me, so I looked to see if I could see it. I could not tell what kind of bird it was. White with brow-ish stripes perhaps? It was definitely big as far as birds go. Smaller than a turkey. I got bored and started walking on the path away from the bird. It screeches and, as I turn back around, see a fluffy, PISSED bullet flying STRAIGHT towards me. This thing, whatever the HELL it was, scared me more than the moose and I took off in a sprint that I didn't even know existed...especially with weary bones and a backpack on. I ran up a steep hill and jumped over some rocks...pretty awesome run if it was being filmed. I think we'd have to edit out the TINY bird and put in a bunch of drug cartel with guns or something. That way I could look macho...
So on I walked. Nothing exciting enough to talk about...But I did happen to run into another moose before I broke camp. This one ran away from me before I even noticed it was there.
You will see the place where I camped when you look at the videos (posting later.) Watching the sunset with birds on the little islands off in the distance was absolutely magnificent. I was able to think a lot during these few hours.
Backpacking it seems, is going to become a hobby of mine.
I woke up in the morning, packed my gear, and set out on an intense hike that took me back to my car. I showered, ate food, read, and made my way out of the Algonquin towards Ottawa. Along the way I took a detour by following a sign that talked about caves.
Ooooooohh......interesting.
Well...I didn't see the caves, but I did find an overflowing body of water with two guys and a dog sitting on the edge. I walked my way down and made my way towards them to say hi. They were nice enough to invite me to stay with them for the night. We talked, listened to American metal bands, ate some dogs, and watched a little bit of an Eastwood film. I left with a souvenir! A squirrels tail.
So we come to my current position. Ottawa. I spent the night in the Wal-Mart parking lot and headed off in the morning towards the downtown area. I was quite nervous about driving. So I drove around for an hour purposely getting lost and adjusting to city driving. I spent the morning walking through an Indigenous art exhibit.
Unfortunately, since this weekend is the celebration of Canada day, we could not set anything up ceremonially. Two in a row! I didn't have too many to begin with either. I also canceled my Connecticut ceremony and will soon be canceling the Rhode Island ceremony.
I am not expecting this road to be an easy one. Religion/spirituality tends to be the MOST confused area of human exploration. Better to learn this on the trial run...
So I'll be in Ottawa for the weekend. It is going to be pretty exciting. A major city packed full of people for a celebration, staying in a house (located downtown) by myself, and possibly hanging out with people I have met here.
Later tonight I will finish up my second blog. This blog will begin to talk about my vision with a little bit more detail, as well as why I am coming home earlier than expected.
Cheers!
Justin
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