When I started writing this most people would have seen their children off to the first day of school and went back to work after a gorgeous, fun last long weekend of the year. Not for us though, we stayed at Emily Provincial Park for 3 more days.

We set out on the Saturday of the last long weekend of the year and arrived just after 2pm. It only took us an hour or so to get there and got set up and unpacked before dinner time. The park was packed and the sounds of family and friends was through and throughout. So as we started dinner and popped a few bottle caps, we settled in with stating a campfire. My wife again did most of the work as my injury prevents me from doing anything strenuous, but I got the fire going and chairs set before it. The night was fun for all of us and we headed off to bed but still had the echo of good times penetrate the thin walls of our tent trailer.

On sunday we took our son to learn about beavers at the small but useful ampitheatre. The two women informed us that that was the last time of the season for any of the learning sessions as the season was ending. It looked like fun as I sat back in the shade with our dog. They learned all about beavers, otters and other shore animals. They even played a game to build beaver dam before the assigned fisher got them, it was cute to watch all these kids, strangers to eachother of all ages chase and play together before making a beaver out of toilet paper rolls for the arts and craft portion of the lesson. As I sat back I had to scurry to get the camera I borrowed (click here and here for an explanation, as I saw the first out of 2 sightings of Osprey hawks.

There are two beaches at the park, the first one by the park store got a little too deep too quick for our 2 year old but the other beach was perfect for him. Both beaches were busy, the one by the store also had all the canoes and paddle boats there available to rent, but we stayed at the shallow one. When we first arrived, there was a family sand castle competition that grabbed our attention for quite some time, but after that we all played in the water as a family. It was the first time my son wore water wings and laughed heartily when his feet no longer touched bottom. Just kicking his legs, laughing right beside me was the most memorable memory of our trip.
When it was nap time, I had to run into the nearest town to grab some more beer and a few supplies since I was going in. Bridgenorth was 22 minutes away from the park according to my Maps on my iPhone. I set off and followed my phones GPS, when I got into Bridgenorth, the Beer Store was supposed to be just on the left of the last set of lights. I drove past the destination of my phone but turned around figuring something was wrong. Sure enough, it was supposed to be on the right of the lights. The web address must have been old or just plain wrong. After buying my Coors Light I headed to Home Hardware for some camping supplies and surprisingly received 15% off. Year end sale I guess and I headed back to camp to rejoin the fun. That night was the same as the last with everyone enjoying each others company, music and conversations. They were all made brighter by the alcohol that was consumed that evening. Our neighbors were nice as we had short conversations with them, they were having a family camp out and had the main site down a few from ours. I know this as I passed there a few times to get water. we mostly stayed to ourselves and had a few drinks then headed to bed.

Monday was quite busy, for everyone else that is. It seemed to pass by quickly though I think because we were seeing campsite after campsite pack up and head off. The park was getting quieter and quieter by the moment, but then the Red Tail Chipmunk were making their presence be known. They let of their loud defense chatter to let you know that is their territory. They really annoy hunters as they give away their location when hunting. I started noticing more and more of these little loud rodents. After around 3 o’clock, the park was pretty much empty except the massive lineup to empty the trailers waste before heading on the road. I had to race to the store to buy ice and wood before they closed for the season and there were 2 wardens controlling traffic around the back up of trailers. That night we ended up having drinks and conversation with the neighbors that were staying an extra day. Our baby monitor was on so we could see and hear our trailer as we visited with them. We all had lots to talk about, the women were mostly chatting about birth, but them we all started talking parenthood as the are first time parents to a 16 mth old I think. The fire, the company, the fresh air and the beer, what more could a happy camper ask for.

Unfortunately Tuesday was a day spent in the trailer. It rained all day and stopped about 8. We decided to go to Bridgenorth for some dinner just to get out of the boring and now damp trailer. The restaurant was pretty much right beside the Beer Store I visited a few days earlier and it was all red and white but I can’t remember the name of it. It was good food, we both had wings (cheaper on tuesdays), and poutine that was probably one of the best I had and my son has turkey and fries. The rain was dying down and so were we, we headed to bed early that night.

As always, I wake up before my wife and kid so I made a coffee and headed to the docks for some early morning fishing again. As soon as I could see the beach, I saw either a Blue Heron or a Multi Colored Heron as well as a family of ducks. The heron took off and I think they look awesome in flight and it would have made a great picture with the morning fog. I didn’t bring my camera and I knew it would be a mistake and I was right. Oh well, fishing I went. Cast after cast and nothing, so I tossed a lure about twenty feet just on the outside some reeds. Bam I had something on, I set the hook and the battle began. The battle ended as fast as it started lol and that was it, nothing else that morning. I figured it could have been either a big Bass, a Pike or a Muskie, one that got away at that. My luck was worse the next and last day staying at the park, not even a bite.

We all went down to the beach Wednesday about 11 for some swimming, I saw a bunch of gees and seagulls that morning while fishing and the beach was not clean at all. I guess the park staff do not clean it after Labour day weekend, even the other beach was the same, we looked. My son really wanted to got to the park and that became our afternoon activity. I put him in the toddler swing and began to push him. The roars of laughter that he expelled was instantly contagious. He absolutely loved it, I pushed him higher and higher, grabbed his feet and made faces when he was close and he’d roar again. It was awesome and goes right up there in Emily Provincial Parks memories. We met Slow Poke and Slow Pokee that day. My wife almost set her chair on a baby Snappping Turtle. We poured some water on him, checked him out and took a few pics of him. I went for a walk that day to take some photos while my son slept and my wife soaked some sun and as soon as I arrived back, I saw another one. So we put them both together by a container of water, it was crazy hot that day. Throughout the day we saw Slow Poke cross our campsite and head to the forest where my son and I said “Bye Bye Slow Poke”. We didn’t see Slow Pokee at all after we left the 2. Night came and I had a bunch of cardboard, paper, kindling wood and more than 2 bags of wood to burn. I had to burn some damp pieces first so I decided to start it before dinner, but just before my sons bed time it was a full fledged fire. The wife and I had a few drinks and we actually talked to each other (I know eh?) lol. We just chatted about anything and everything. I suggested we throw the rest of the wood on the fire and head to bed after it was done. The fire roared, crackled and was the centre of attention as my lovely wife and I sat side by side on our last night of our trip. Then it was bed time, it was amazingly quiet and peaceful, perfect for sleeping.

After fishing on the last day at the park, I immediately started packing, after my coffee of course. While my wife and kid slept, I was packing up the van to go. That’s when I noticed the battery was dead. Crap! Oh well, I figured I’d stop someone passing by for some help and on I went packing. Nobody passed by, even after my family finally got their butts out of bed. So I looked up the number to the park on my phone and called for help. They were very nice about it and a warden delivered a booster pack within 10 minutes. I thought that was awesome, but they probably didn’t have anything else to do. I couldn’t get a good connection and she said to call when I’m done.i said I’d drop it off on my way out but about an hour later she drove by and I gave it back to her. It was nice to pack up without it raining like our last/first camper experience. We got it done and headed out.

I must say Emily Park was great. The park staff were always waving when they saw you, they were polite, helpful and all around nice people. The park was clean, the washrooms were clean and the patrons were respectful and friendly to others. There wasn’t a lot of wildlife but there was some. As well as the animals I already mentioned, I saw Black Capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, I think it was a Red Tailed Hawk and Cedar Waxwings. Our site was big with 2 picnic tables, the water was close and comfort station was close as well. I would rate this park 7.5 out of 10. I think the time of year we went influenced my rating, maybe we will have to visit again to see if I can give it a better rating.

Again I didn’t take many photos but here are a few and the rest can be found in the Emily Provincial Park gallery. Many were of the baby snapping turtles, but they were pretty cool.

I started writing this a week ago, that’s how busy I have been, but it’s done now. Enjoy.

Next stop, Bon Echo Family Campground in Cloyne, Ontario to spend Thanksgiving with some family.