KITC would like to welcome back guest blogger, Stephen Johnson. Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer who loves to write about family travel. During the summer, you will most likely find him and his family at a local fair or festival. During a non-pandemic winter, a beach in Mexico is a likely bet.

The first thing you notice about Voyageur Provincial Park is that it’s a hidden gem. Located just inside the Ontario-Quebec border, Voyageur may not be the largest provincial park but it certainly packs a punch. A person can hike, camp, kayak, go to the beach and fish all in the same day.

The first activity we wanted to try out was kayaking. Our son, David, loves all water sports and quickly paddled away. My wife, Sandy and I had a double kayak. The kayak was extremely stable and endured both Sandy and I trying to steer. We righted the ship and started to paddle in sync.

The rental office where we got the kayaks is located on a sheltered bay. It was perfect for a couple of newbies like Sandy and I. Conditions were ideal with little wind and barely a cloud in the sky. By the time we caught up with David, he had already spotted two turtles and multiple frogs. Sandy and I took a much more leisurely pace than David and watched as he darted away. Our patience was rewarded as we spotted our first turtle hiding beneath a lily pad. We took multiple photos and enjoyed the moment.

The weather was quite warm so we decided to return our kayaks and head to the beach. The beach was literally a two minute walk away. It was the perfect size. Families were enjoying the warm water, building sandcastles and sunbathing. The beach was not too full, meaning social distancing was not a problem. Sandy, David and I spent an hour or so alternating between relaxing in the water and working on our suntan. In my case, more like sunburn.

Our relaxed lifestyle had built up an appetite so we had an impromptu picnic with delicious sandwiches we had brought from home.

For our final activity, we hiked the Coureur des Bois trail. Like the park, the trail was not huge but there was a lot to see. We started our walk by seeing a cute rabbit. It was hiding in the grass but David got a good photo. Further along the trail, David was perched with his camera over a pile of leaves. He asked me if I could see the American toad. I said, “What is an American toad doing in Canada with COVID restrictions?” David did not laugh at my dad humor. After looking closely, I did see the toad and marveled at David’s ability to spot animals.

We had planned to go camping and even visited our campsite but David was feeling under the weather. We had been looking forward to camping but thought it best to head back home.

If you’re unsure or scared to try camping, Ontario Provincial Parks even has a learn to camp program where you can book time with a learn to camp ambassador. He/she will teach you basic skills like setting up a tent. The appointment is for thirty minutes and is not offered at every park. The learn to camp website also has many useful tips and videos online taking the fear out of camping.

It should be noted during this time of COVID-19, parks are free to visit Monday - Thursday. It is best to check the park website to find the latest information. Also, many public libraries are offering park passes to borrow. For all information about Ontario Parks visit, www.ontarioparks.com.

Disclaimer: Stephen and his family were provided a Kayak rental from Ontario Parks. All opinions are his own.