A Childhood Dream

After a much needed rest, picking up our vehicle in Thunder Bay, drying out our equipment, packing our food, and planning our route, ten days have rolled by without even a paddle stroke. As preparations for Manitoulin Island are nearing completion, we are becoming increasingly excited to get back out on the water and explore the coastline of the largest freshwater island in the world.
As a young teenager, I can remember pouring over a map of Manitoulin Island with my dad dreaming about a day we would circumnavigate its shores in our little red canoe. After calculating the distance, we decided it would take too long and opted for a family roadtrip out to the east coast instead. Since then, I have kept the dream alive and, as the weekend approaches, Jon, Tess (our dog) and I, are anxiously awaiting the wonderful experiences we will have on the island "where spirits come to play."