Algonquin Adventures Message Board: Winer hiking TR and pics

Since I enjoy these things written by my g/f way more than the ones done by me... she officially became my TR writer. I stick to the pictures and she can do the trip logs. Fair deal if you ask me.

This was going to be my first ever winter trip to Algonquin and I was really excited. At the same time I was also quite concerned about the cold. Who am I kidding... I was terrified. In fact, I was so scared about getting too cold (especially during the night) that I had Tom book a hotel for us in Huntsville to spend the night. Pretty lame huh? I know, but give a girl a break. As I mentioned before this was going to be my first winter trip and that in itself was already an accomplishment for me (I use to just hibernate during the winter) Baby steps people...baby steps! So this was our plan for the weekend: snowshoeing in Algonquin on Saturday before spending the night in Huntsville, more snowshoeing during the day on Sunday, and then stopping for some night skiing at Horseshoe Valley as we headed home.
We got to our destination (Black Fox Lake) at about 11:00. Ive never been snowshoeing before (bi g surprise there...huh?) and Tom said he would lead the way. I happily and almost effortlessly followed behind but I didnt quite understand what was making him so tired. I mean within the first 10 mins. of the hike he had stripped down to almost nothing but a T-shirt and sweatshirt and abandoned his tri-pod in some trees. I wasnt sure why he was struggling so much. After all, I was doing just fine (and was very proud of myself as well...oh how naive we amateurs are... lol) and so without giving it much thought I offered to lead the way for a bit (I really should have thought about this). I took over walking first...actually make that waddeling first. I am not sure that what I was doing would even classify as walking. I could barely lift my legs out of the snow and was merely inching my way through. I was getting tired and I mean TIRED super fast and I knew I would have to somehow get myself out of this self-created mess. So after some serious negotiating which included several I loves you and a couple of sad looking faces I was off the hook (well for the most part of it anyways). We carried on with Tom back in front and you would have expected things to be quite easy for me now right? WRONG!!! I dont know how I managed to do it but I must have fallen at least a half a dozen time (yeah thats right babes I fell a lot more than what you just saw. After about 2 ½ hrs of hiking/falling it became pretty clear that we werent going to reach our destination in time, and since we were both pretty tired and hungry at that point we decided to take a break. So we(actually make that Tom) got a fire going and we had ourselves a nice little picnic in the woods before heading back. We were both pretty surprised at how quick the trip back was. It took us 2 ½ hrs to get there and only about 1 hr to get back.
Back in Huntsville we decided to try a restaurant called Louis II for dinner and I was really glad we did. Their food was amazing and very reasonably priced as well. The cesar salad is a must have...so good. Yet just a piece of advice; it's extremely garlicky so if youre going to have it make sure you have a breath mint or make sure you share it with whomever your with. Everything else was delicious as well. We will definitely be coming back to this place.
Once we got back to our hotel we had some celebrating to do since it was Toms birthday. So we had a bottle of Champaign with us and watching Tom struggle to open it was a real treat for me. It was almost as much fun as watching him hang food or put together the grilliput for the first time ---by the way he got pretty good at putting that thing together now so its not as entertaining to watch. Eventually Tom got the bottle open (but not before I got in my share of laughs) and we were finally able to drink the stuff. Two glasses each and we were out for the night. I guess the days adventures got us pretty tired.
The next day we were up quite early. We had some breakfast at the hotel and headed back to Algonquin to do some more trails. Our first stop was the Oxtongue Rapids. The view from there was amazing ---who knew winter could look so beautiful. Everything covered in snow, ice and untouched. Next we headed for the Hardwood Lookout. Weve been there before in the fall but it almost seemed like a different place in the winter. Tom got some awesome pictures there. Then it was off to Spruce Bog where we attempted to make some snow angels as we walked the trial. We also stopped at the Visitors Centre and Tom took some pictures of the birds there. After that we headed back to Huntsville. The plan was to eat there and then start heading home stopping on the way to do some night skiing. So we had dinner at ....YUMMY!!! However, once we ate I got really tired and called it quits on the skiing (plus we had to save something for another trip anyways right?) So with a promise that well be back for another tripthis time winter camping and cross-country skiing we headed back home. Cant wait to try the skiing and as for the camping...well lets just say not as much...lol.

All pics -----------------> http://www.crazyravr.smugmug.com/gallery/7285244_xi5qV#468364880_eMuaV

At the start.
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