2021 Algoma Travel Guide - Magazine - Page 46
Wilderness Accommodations
Tripping along the diverse forested waterways of the region
leads to peaceful nights within a range of campsite possibilities.
We might sink into the fine brown sand of a secluded beach or
the thick moss of the boreal forest, with a ceiling of spruce tops
tipped with stars. Our sleep may be joined by the fresh scent
wafting from a bed of pine needles or the roar of a distant falls.
What could be construed as distractions emerge as soothing
and, given the vigorous activity associated with kayak and canoe
tripping, our rest is long and deep. Wilderness accommodations
are as varied as the landscape and if variety is the spice of
life, traveling by path and paddle in Algoma Country is a well
seasoned adventure.
Eating off the Land
We should always pack enough food to meet our needs when
tripping, but if that envelope of powdered soup stays in the
bottom of the barrel because we were able to augment our
meals with fresh fish, so be it. The possibility of catching fish
is usually a prerequisite when choosing a canoe route, and in
Algoma the options are staggering. Whether it is smallmouth,
walleye, pike or trout, there’s always a chance to harvest a side
dish of fiddleheads in the spring or berries in the summer for a
wilderness dish that is simple and satisfying.
A Bounty of Waters
Wetlands, rivers and inland lakes form a tapestry of
interconnected waterways that provide passage over vast
stretches of wilderness. Established paddling routes extend like
tentacles throughout Algoma Country offering everything from
scenic day paddles to full on expeditions. Joining inland waters
is the expanse of Lake Superior, with her magical coastline that
we can only travel when the conditions are right. Moments of
calm allow us to explore the long sand beaches, rocky points
and exotic rock formations, sculpted by the perpetual pounding
of Superior’s mighty waves. Whether paddling a canoe or a sea
kayak, we cannot help but feel the power as we pass a surfpounded shoreline under the arc of giant white pine bent against
the prevailing winds. We are allowed in calm weather but we
challenge her moods at our peril.
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