Letters from Base Camp

On Georgian Bay and the North Channel, much of where we camp consists of rocky ground and regular tent pegs are basically useless. Exposure to high winds on open ground makes it essential to anchor your tent securely. I've seen more than a few improperly anchored tents blown away by high winds and even moderate winds, even though the owners had all their belongings inside the tent as well. Here is a way to make sure your tent or tarp is properly secured that is easy and keeps your equipment in good shape. Find a stout stick, at least 12 to 24 inches long. Place it through the tent peg loop and lay it on the ground so that the loop sits in the middle of the stick. Next find two suitable rocks, large enough to pick up with two hands, but safe to carry, and place them on the ...
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The river's water levels are high and at some places, flood damage has been serious.  My own road was washed out for about a day, and my basement got some water as well.  This was particularly disappointing because I had spent the past several seasons improving drainage around my property and I was pretty certain is could withstand any amount of water. This just underscores the complicated relationship we have with water.   I depend on water to make my business work, and when the rivers are up I love to paddle the torrents (check it out here) but a lot of my "spare" time in the past few years  has been spent making sure the right kind of water makes it into my house for drinking and bathing and the wrong kind stays out or my basement. Water levels on the Great Lakes are down by several feet or ...
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It seems our warm 2011 summer just keeps on giving. Early forecasts from Environment Canada indicated that the fall colours would be excellent. And last Saturday's day trip on the Channel sure bore that out! During the growing season chlorophyll creates an abundance of green pigments in a leaf's cells while any other pigments that may be present are masked. But with autumn trees reduce the flow of water to their leaves and chlorophyll is destroyed. This demise allows other colours to be expressed. It's the variety of these rich colours that we so enjoyed this week: the orange maples, the yellow birches, the scarlet oaks, the burgundy sumachs; and the solid green of the pines provided such great contrast. I'm publishing a couple of photos that catch some of that glory. During a quiet moment I also pulled out my paint set. Thanks to our Benjamins art trip teacher ...
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"If there is magic in this planet" wrote the American Naturalist, Loren Eiseley, "it is contained in water". I love Eiseley. If you have not read this author yet, make a point to do so. This line has always stuck with me. Water nourishes us and makes life possible in so many ways. Not only do we need it to live, but we use it for quality of life as well. Our world is 3/4 water and less than 3% is fresh. Yet all land life on earth literally depends on that small fraction. Eighty percent of that small fraction that is fresh water is now tied up in Ice Sheets (though for how long is anybodies guess) Much of the rest of what is left is contained in ground water. That leaves less than about 0.15 % available in lakes, river and streams . Only a small fraction of ...
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It's not unusual to have canoeists at our clinics or on Horizons trips. They're good people and I enjoy stretching out on a rock and listening to their tales of flat and whitewater travel. They tell me about their canvas and cedar strip craft, their loops through northern inland lakes, and the team work needed to negotiate a level 3 rapid without a dump. But after a little time out with us they start to get why sea kayaking is a great way to go as well. And to be honest, my favourite way. - Kayaks get you out onto bigger water. 3 metre swell on a Great Lake or off an ocean coastline anyone? - Then back into the shallows where you can dash between islands and discover hidden coves. - No portaging needed although fibreglass kayaks are lighter than many canoes. - Safe storage in the front and ...
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by: Karen Dominick I love shakes! I think they are one the BEST ways to improve your overall health in a small and yet significant way. Having a shake every morning will give you the energy boost you need to carry you through the day. Using the right combination of ingredients also helps to support the PH in your body from an acidic to more alkaline state keeping your immune system healthy to fight off disease. The best part about them are, that as your body changes and your reliance on sugar decreases, you can also start increasing the more healthier ingredients in the shake. Find a combination that works for you! I would strongly recommend using organic produce to ensure maximum nutrient benefit with no GMO, toxin risk. PROTEIN SHAKE 1-2 tbsp Hemp Protein – This is a nutrient rich whole food that has a higher PH than many ...
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