Pastor Ron's Deep Thoughts and Shallow Entries: CIA Camping @ Achray in Algonquin P.P.

Another camping trip with the youth group. This year it was with the grade 10 - 12's and we were destined for Achray Campground in Algonquin Provincial Park.

This entry consists of three parts, due to the number of pictures. Enjoy.

Achray was suggested by Peter this time. We are always looking for different places to camp, and he was willing to come along, so I booked the 4 sites necessary to house us all.

We took along two canoes (Thanks Peter), as it's a great place to do that. Peter took one, and I took one. Here's Peter securing the canoe to my van.

The final product. I got the light canoe, thankfully. I've never taken a canoe on the top of my van before.

It takes a bit of getting used to to drive with straps in front of you.

After packing up the rest of the trailer, and picking up Kevin and Carmela, we headed off to Redeemer to pick up some of the group. We were leaving right after Redeemer exams were finished. Annette was going to come with a few others later in the day, as were Chad, Janine and Ethan.

After almost forgetting Megan H, we departed for Achray. It was going to be a great weekend. No rain in the forecast, though Kevin wasn't convinced. (Pessimist)! We stopped in Renfrew so I could get some gas and Tim's for dinner (no, the Tim's didn't give me gas!!!) : )

While in Renfrew Peter took to retying his canoe. It is heavier after all. : )

The trip to Achray requires a 45 minute drive on a dirt road. At times it can be pretty bumpy, but it was a nice drive.

Carmella, Kevin's "girl," relaxing and enjoying the ride.

The "Jacob" pose, as I like to call it. Pensive, thoughtful, and Alex looking on wondering what Jacob is thinking.

Kevin wanted to take a picture of me while driving...that's as good as it gets.... : )

We arrived at the gate to register for our campsites. I thought we were almost there, but apparently it's another 20 minutes on that dirt road before we arrive. We are definitely not in the city any more.

We arrived around 3 pm. Achray is a beautiful place. Time to set up camp. These girls worked together and put the tent up fairly quickly...without needing Kevin's help this time.

Nice Job ladies.

Kevin likes to sleep in his hammock tent, or cocoon as we like to call it. All you need are two trees and soon you have your own comfy hammock.

To the best of my knowledge, Carmella has never camped before. Never set up a tent either. Kevin seemed preoccupied getting his stuff up, and has left her to fend for herself. I don't see any instructions? This should be fun.... : )

I'm getting my tent trailer ready to be raised. As you can see turning the leveling crank is hard work. : )

Hey, where did everyone go that was going to help ME!

Look at those tall pine trees. They were amazing. If you lay on your back, you could see them swaying in the breeze. Made me dizzy.

I continue to get my tent trailer ready for habitation.

The road was so dusty I think I picked up 20 pounds of dirt on the back of my trailer.

Oh, Kevin did come over to help Carmella. Nice job Kevin. I know Carmella did more than 1/2 the work. : ) ......on her own.

There, camp is all set up for me. Time to relax and watch the others set up..... :)

About 1.5 hours later, Chad, Janine and Ethan arrived. The bugs were not bad this weekend, but they were bothersome, as Janine quickly found out.

We ate supper together. Kraft Dinner and veggie's. It was pretty good. Here's Alex showing off his eating skills.

Sometime during, or just after, dinner, someone gave the camera to Hannah and Leah. Big mistake. What follows are several pics of the two of them......no comments necessary because they speak volumes on their own.......

Two wonderful young people....really, but quite weird as well....really! : )

After dinner it was time to relax a bit more before the camp fire. Jacob found Peter's guitar, and there was no turning back after that. Seems Jacob loves the guitar as much as Chris H loves his IPhone! : )

At about 8 pm the rest of the group arrived with Annette B. Here they are setting up their tent. Good thing Kevin brought extra sleeping bags, as Ben and Annette forgot theirs...but we won't delve into the sordid details of family matters..... : )

Before we knew it, it was time for the camp fire. Using wet firewood once again always proves a challenge for Kevin, but eventually we had a fire going. Ethan was craving smoorz (I never spell that right do I....oh well....) and ended up staying up late just to have them.

Here we are relaxing and enjoying the camp fire.

Now I was thinking we'd have a long camp fire time, with some good discussion time (I love those times), but by 10 pm most of the YP wanted to go to sleep. You could tell they just had exams. : ) So, I ended up with Annette and Chad staying up and talking. That was just fine too.

It sure is quiet at Achray park. The campers are quiet, the animals are quiet, and their was no wind to speak of. Nice to sleep. The morning brought out some brave souls who decided to go for a morning wake up swim.

Well, they made it to the shore at least. Looks like they are having second thoughts.

Two brave ones to start with......

Then the rest of them go in. You are braver than I am.

Kevin slept in this morning. Somehow I don't know if I'd be comfortable in that thing, but he seems to love it.

Chad catching up on the news.

We always get the YP to help with cooking. Leah is making pancakes this morning. Megan D is on her way to the campsite (left with Chris H and Fontana at 6 am to come). Normally this is Megan's traditional meal to make, but alas, you weren't here. Sorry Megan, you snooze, you loose.

Rosy helped make breakfast as well.

After breakfast it was time to make lunch. We were going to the falls to swim. Two canoe's would make the water trek, and the rest of us were going to hike.