TRAVEL SNAPSHOT: 109 Days in 2019

We began the year with a Bucket List trip to the Galapagos Islands and included an additional 4.5 weeks to explore several parts of mainland ECUADOR. We returned home for a couple of weeks and then flew to Cozumel Island MEXICO for our annual CANUSUKair SCUBA and snorkeling trip. The spring CTCO Rally took us to Merrickville for a couple of nights in early June; next up, a 1 week canoe trip in Temagami ON late July to early August. Then, LOAFin Around for 6 weeks in CANADA's Maritime Provinces from mid-August to the end of September. We had initially planned for a bit longer on the east coast, but a family get-together in Ontario, early October could not be missed. We had also intended on spending time in Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula, but Hurricane Dorian changed those plans. We finished our TC season with a second CTCO Rally in Quinte Isle, Ontario late September.

What's Next? ... We've scheduled an 8 week stay on MEXICO's Cozumel Island for part of winter 2020?? 

The map below is interactive. To view our route in detail you will need to begin by clicking on [  ] (top right corner) for full screen. Use the hand to pan and +/- to zoom and reduce, as needed. 

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CANOEING & KAYAKING: Temagami and Cross Lakes

" Paddling Irons the Wrinkles Out of the Soul. "  

                                                                                                         Anonymous

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Temagami: A Brief History

(Source: Wikipedia)

The Anishnabai have been living in the area for at least 6,000 years after migrating from the east coast of North America. The land was divided into familial hunting and trapping territories.

Since the main east-west fur trade route bypassed Temagami to the south, settlement of this area by Europeans did not come until 1834. That year the Hudson's Bay Company built a store on Temagami Island, which later relocated to Bear Island. The town itself was founded by Dan O'Connor, who in 1903 formed the O'Connor Steamboat and Hotel Company on the lake and established its first store on the future townsite. By 1906, he had built three hotels on Lake Temagami: Hotel Ronnoco, Temagami Inn, and Lady Evelyn Hotel and by 1910 the company operated ten steamships on the lake including the Belle of Temagami.

The Forest Reserves Act of 1898 established the 15,000 km2 (5,800 sq mi) Temagami Forest Reserve. Because of this reserve, the region was home to the 'last Old-growth forests in Ontario'. Logging of the vast pine stands only began in the 1920s. Now just a few patches of old growth remain, including the White Bear Forest and 'the world's largest stand of old-growth red and white pine forest' - the Obabika Old-Growth Forest. 

The inspiration and wonder of the area were brought to millions around the world in 1907 when Grey Owl arrived in Temagami. He was employed by Keewaydin Canoe Camp as a guide, and later by the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests as a ranger. His subsequent books and extensive lecturing in Britain and the United States brought tremendous attention to northeastern Ontario and wildlife conservation.