The Campfire! My home away from home.

Let me say it....I love photography.....and thank you to everyone who has posted compliments to my shots but as I have said before...in my case,its not the photographer...its the subjects that make some of my pictures beautiful. I would like to introduce someone who takes photography to a new level.... closer to poetic imagery than just picture taking....Dwayne Oakes.... his work has a surreal dreamlike quality that truly is masterful. His images conjure up memories of  long ago forgotten boyhood dreams and yearnings to get out and explore some strange new corner of  a familiar place...taking you to something wonderfully fantastic in places that may normally appear incredibly routine and mundane. Each and every frame is a sonnet to the hidden wonders of this world upon which we tread.His eye brings to haunting life places and things that most of us would probably just walk on by without giving a second thought. Drop in and give his work a look...and tell him Kirk sent ya!

http://dwayneoakes.zenfolio.com/p885387646/h1281fe97#h1281fe97

Kirk

Heres a great link to a live cam set above an Eagle nest in Hornby, BC.....

http://www.hornbyeagles.com/

Kirk

The Great Wilderness Cleanup is on again......May 8 and 9 is the date set but for anyone who has trouble scheduling for Mothers Day weekend I am sure noone will complain if you went a week earlier or later....I personally will try for the weekend before and am hoping to hit Big East Lake in the Poker Lakes System......

from the website....

The history of the clean-up

The Great Wilderness Clean-up is proof that sometimes all it takes is a single idea and the passion to make it happen.

It all started in a canoeing discussion forum. Bryan March posted a message and photos showing garbage they found in one of Ontario's Provincial Parks. Nancy Maddock started discussing her feelings about trash in the wilderness and mentioned that there should be a clean-up. Next thing she knew someone had suggested that she organize an event. So she did!

Nancy's first clean-up event was in Algonquin Provincial Park in May of 2006. Over a hundred bags of garbage were removed from the park's interior making the clean-up a great success.

2007 brought about many changes to the clean-up. Kevin Callan has joined forces with Nancy and they have made this an international event.

Nancy has dedicated this event to her father's memory, William Maddock, a man who had a passion for life and adventure, and a great love for the beauty of our Mother Earth.

In 2010 the cleanup is still going strong. Nancy has taken a break for this year but hopefully will be back in 2011. Kevin Callan and many of the past participants are continuing with Nancy's efforts for the 2010 event.

For more info go to   http://www.wildernesscleanup.com/

Every once in a while this old internet thing throws something at you that takes you by surprise...I found one of these little gems a few days ago... a website dedicated to the great outdoors and to the girls who venture into it. I must say I am very impressed with the work gone into this site and I'll let its content speak for itslef. From www.campgirlz.com...

     "

Nov-12-2009 By AmyCampgirlz.com was created to encourage girls of all ages, from 1-99, to explore nature! It is dedicated to all girls, young and old, who have a passion for the outdoors. Is your passion hiking, bird watching, skiing, canoeing, kayaking, camping, and/or star gazing? Do you like to explore & play in the dirt? Then, you are you a camp girl. Don’t worry if you live in a city- your own backyard or local park can be a wild place to explore.

Check out our site! We have free resources, including ideas for group camping & fun challenges. Don’t worry if you are a beginner or just starting out in camping & adventure. We are here for you. We also have a new post every Sunday, so keep coming back for new thoughts & ideas.

You can join the campgirlz.com club & get a cool T shirt & e-newsletter!

Consider donating to our site & be a part of our mission to provide fun & affordable resources that encourage girls to camp, hike, paddle, and explore! You can also sponsor a specific challenge for girls. Contact me for sponsorship information: campgirlz777@gmail.com."

This one is definitly a worth look for anyone like myself who heads out into the back country with his/her daughter in tow....

Kirk

Man , ain't it funny how time works? After two decades with no contact I have recently gotten back in touch with a dear,old friend. I was so ecxcited to find out that she has kept up a blog of her outdoor adventures thru the rocky shores of Newfoundland. Her writing and photos have given me a bad, bad dose of homesickness. I want to share her writing with all  so please drop in and visit her site.... http://nltrails.blogspot.com/  Missed ya Tracey...and thanks fer the homesickness blues!!!!!!!!!!!    Sooooooo ......see ya in August! I am coming home for the "Come Home " festivities.....the only question is....will there be a garden party?

Kirk

So much for my plan to head up to the Algonquin region April 21 to 24....as of today still 12 inches of ice on Canoe Lake!http://www.canoelake.ca/iceout/ , ! Time to open the maps and start researching an alternative I guess!

Kirk

The "Mother Of All Solo Trips"! MOAST!

Ever wonder what it takes to head into the wilderness alone for a few days?...How bout a few weeks?....ok call me crazy now....but what exactly is involved if you wanted to head into the wilderness alone for a few months? What kinda preparing do you do for that kind of an extended trip? What kinda mental state do you need to be in? Now picture yourself...with a canoe, a load of gear and a route that starts in Algonquin Park, Ontario in May...and ends at Lake Winnepeg, Manitoba in October! To most folks this would probably sound a little absurd if not downright insane....to me and many other soloists this sounds like the trip of a lifetime. No.......wish I could say it was myself planning this trip but...its a little out of my league. However....if you want to see what it takes to put together a trip like this head over and check this out....

http://solotripping.com/forums/index.php?board=39.0

Harlan Schwartz of www.solotripping.com is planning on doing just exactly that!!!!!!!

And he's got a whole galley of solo trippers just green with envy!

We are rootin for ya Harlan! Just get back safe!

Kirk

This is a great website that I encourage everyone who visits Algonquin Provincial Park to take a look at....

http://www.outdooradventurecanada.com/aprua/

From their website...

"This website is currently the focus of discussions toward what is intended to eventually be a registered association representing recreational users of the backcountry of Algonquin Park.

Many of us who value Algonquin's backcountry campsites, trails, waterways and forests are becoming increasingly concerned over what we feel are threats to their preservation, protection and improvement. We also believe that important issues affecting recreational use of the park's backcountry can be best dealt with by a formal association of such concerned individuals."

This is an opportunity to have your voice heard and your opinions and concerns noted.....please take the time to read over the site and to register!

Kirk

AKA Canuckcamper

Started by Nancy Maddock just a few years ago as a volunteer cleanup for Algonquin Park this project has rapidly expanded to an international event. I am priviledged to be a (small) part of this as I have watched it grow from a local initiative to international status...Nancy now has members joining in from across Canada in to the United States and from the UK...With the added support of one of Canada's foremost outdooors writers joining into the fray last year....Nancy Maddock and Kevin Callan have launched this project into global status. I'll let the website speak for itself http://www.wildernesscleanup.com/ . I am planning a cleanup trip on the MacDonald/Gibson route for this coming May...anyone want to join me? Send me an email to kirk@thecampfireonline.com

Kirk

I'm wondering if we as a group could pull together and get some of the things needed by this this organization?

I have a pantry full of dry and canned goods I'd gladly share. And some camping stuff I can donate as well.

And I'd be willing to house any goods you could spare and see to it that they get shipped off to the North-South Partnership for Children. I'm sure WildChild would be able to help me out with this as well.

The government has seriously dropped the ball on this issue.

Anyone willing to help?

Dave
_________________
Help save the largest stand of Old Growth Red Pine in Canada and possibly the world.
friendsofchiniguchi.com

From www.waterwalker.ca

This is an awesome post from Dave...he said it much better than I could...The Campfire Online has donated 8 new backpacks  to the partnership.Thanks to Laurie at www.outdooradventurecanada.com who did the initial legwork and brought this to my attention.