#15. Killarney Provincial Park, Ontario. 2007

Reid and I tend to prefer river trips, but Killarney is so beautiful as to be irresistible. I am sure many of you have been to what is surely one of Ontario's most spectacular - and popular - parks, and today I want to hear your best Killarney tales. Ours would have to be at this island campsite on Van Winkle Lake in the north end of the park. It was a perfectly clear, calm, cold night and we were snug in our tent. At about 1 am a wolf started howling. Minutes later others joined in. Soon the pups were yelping as well. This moving chorus probably went on for an hour and sent shivers up our spines. Later Reid awoke to hear splashing nearby, but rolled over and went back to sleep. That morning we awoke to frost, sun and mirror-like reflections. We took our coffee to a small rock abutment looking out on the lake and drank in the moment. Suddenly an explosion of water and movement erupted directly below us as a deer bolted from its hiding spot, swimming for the mainland. We were startled but thrilled, and it explained the splashing Reid had heard earlier. It was only then that we noticed a lone wolf standing stock-still directly across from us, his eyes boring into ours from the far shore. After a minute he gave us what appeared to be a final look of disdain for the loss of his meal then turned and silently vanished into the forest.

About Today's Paddling Pic: These last few days and weeks I've found myself looking back on some wonderful memories and images of where canoeing has taken me, and it's made me smile. I feel so fortunate and grateful for these places, people and experiences, and it's kind of nice to reminisce. And in doing so I can't help but to also look forward to a time when we can all paddle safely again! So for the next while Reid and I are posting a picture a day (with a story) that will brighten our day and hopefully yours too. I invite you to share your stories in the comment section.