Trip Report-Dogtooth Lake, Ontario Canada

One of the things I like most about traveling in Europe is the relative ease in getting around.  Everything is so compact! Conversely, one of the things I like best about Canada is the fact that you can drive for hours and hours and see, well, almost nothing. There's something harsh and desolate about this place that makes you think that in the few hundred years Canada has been a country, nothing much has really changed. Of course, it's all an illusion but an illusion that's fun to get lost in, at least once in a while.

We headed out Friday after the mandatory stop at the Liquor Commission, a thoroughly Manitoban institution and arrived around 9, just in time for dinner. As a Satellite was apparently going to be blazing through the sky we gathered around outside on the beach, shivering and commenting on anything and everything in the sky.  "There it is" "No way, that's not the size of a bus".  "What's that?" " A planet" "No, it's a plane, you idiot" etc. Eventually we got too cold and wandered inside. We never did see the crashing satellite, but apparently it crashed of the west coast and no one was hurt. Personally, my sister and I, as avid television watchers agreed that someone should have shot it out of the sky. Oh well, next time.

Saturday we lazed around all morning before heading out to do some hiking and canoeing. I, belonging to the staying indoors set, have never gone canoeing but it was a relaxing activity and the scenery was beautiful and now I can say " I have been canoeing". We encountered a beaver dam, which reminded me of that well known Canadian tune by the Arrogant Worms "We Are The Beaver".  I did not burst into song as the rest were outdoorsy types and might not have, as such, appreciated my homage.
I didn't get out much for the rest of the trip. It was just me and my bottle of wine and some magazines and podcasts--the way I like it! Sunday morning I got some quality time with "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" which has taken a turn for the depressing. I have enjoyed this book a lot but every time I see the cover which says "Future Classic" I want to know who gets to decide that? Is there a committee who predicts whether books will be successful in the future? Anyway, I digress.
After lunch we headed out. It should be noted that Ontario has some hilarious street signs. Perhaps they think Manitoban's are horrible drivers but just after crossing the border you are inundated with signs such as "larger vehicles need more room"  and "don't drive in the ditch you moron". Just kidding, I made that one up. However my personal favourite was "Be Aware of Moose at Night", perhaps because I was half asleep and read it as "Beware of Moose at Night" which made me imagine some sinister moose hiding in the woods and pouncing on unsuspecting drivers.

Bottom Line: Nice to get away from everything and it must be said the Whiteshell is truly lovely in fall. I did miss my phone/internet though. I almost can't believe I lasted a whole weekend!