Algonquin Park Blog

Although the summer apparently has been the wettest in 28 years, I’ve still managed to catch some sunny opportunities to get out and snap away.

My interest in photography started with a extended experience in Costa Rica which led to more pictures on another extended trip a few years later around the world.

I had put the camera down for a while but the passion returned when a new shinny Digital SLR arrived on my lap this Christmas. Since then I’ve decided to pursue this love for photography and begin a little business when I not here at the Northern Edge as wMac photography.

You can check out more of the photos I’ve taken this summer at:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30437&l=1fc88&id=510791794

I also have greeting cards and prints that can be purchased by contacting me anytime at wendymaccrimmon@gmail.com.

It’s been three years since David Hickey stopped by Northern Edge Algonquin to give a crystal bowls performance. Since that time he has travelled extensively throughout North America bringing his unique sound to audiences. This interview and soundscape was recorded in 2005 at the Edge. I hope you enjoy meeting David and coming to understand how he came to be a crystal bowl concert performer.

David Hickey performs at the South River Festival of the Arts on August 7-8, 2008.

Learn more at http://www.crystaljourney.ca/

Our Summer of seeking balance has arrived. Our first Quest For Balance,Yoga and Sea Kayaking Retreat was met with participants who completely opened themselves to all of the opportunities for growth ‘ The Edge’ has to offer.
With no complaints all questers showed up fearless in the rain to participate in kayak wet exits. Even though this pushed some of us to our edge, it was embraced and a complete success.
Our 7:00 am Algonquin Park Yoga practice on the dock was spectacular in it’s immersed stillness. The gentle murmur of the awakening wildlife, and the promise of a new day allowed us fully to take in the fresh morning air and compassionate movement that rang out all the remnants of fatigue. Collectively we could all begin to feel our sense of balance shifting and settling into our bones.
The whole weekend provided us with a forum to explore our sense of balance within many realms: in kayaks, on the water, within our yoga retreat practice (way to go to those who challenged their balance in headstand) and to be still enough to know when to go in retreat centre and rest.

Our final evening together was magically created by Greg and Vicki. Our indulgent yet simple pizza party at the Humble Hearth was amazing.

We all got to create pizzas and watch them get fired in the outside clay oven. Our outside dining hall was lit by candle light and the invitation heart warming. Lots of soulful conversations took place that evening.
As a facilitator it was a delight to see everyone soften and embrace the unexpected. Thanks must go to our fearless Kayak guide Ana whose spirit and enthusiasm rippled through to us all. I do believe that what we all left with was the many possibilities of bringing balance into our lives through simple delight, clear intention and just the right dose of adventure. Algonquin Park is an ideal and flawless setting for yoga.
Written by Wendy Martin, Algonquin Yoga Goddess, YogaAtTheEdge@gmail.com

Todd, from the Edge of Algonquin Park and Wendy from the office chat about wildlife that we see at this time of the year, living on the Edge of Ontario’s Algonquin Park.

Summer has arrived here in Algonquin Park and we are ‘plunging’ into the paddling season. The heavy rains have kept the water levels high and we have just returned from our first Wanderings Waterfalls and Watercolours canoe trip into the park. We experienced a little bit of everything in terms of weather creating some memorable adventures and beautiful landscape photos. The star filled nights, beautiful sunrises and echo of the Loon across Manitou lake are soothing to the soul and make one feel connected to nature in a way that cannot be explained in words, but felt by the heart. We were fortunate to view a couple of Bald Eagles soaring overhead and paddle quietly pass a cow Moose and Calf as they feed contently on the edge of the river. Each experience and trip into Algonquin adds to the countless memories and stories that will be told for many years to come. I’m thankful for the ability to experience such a special place and share it with others. There are still many canoe trips into the park this season, check out the canoe trips and drop us a note about your dream trip. (skype Wendy or Kate)

Happy Paddling

Mandaza (Augustine) Kandemwa, who is a nganga, a Bantu shaman, in the Shona and Nbebele tradition of healing and peacemaking is coming to Northern Edge Algonquin for a retreat, August 22-24, 2008.  Leslie Fell & Martha Lucier talk about what it means to bring this visitor from Zimbabwe to Northern Edge Algonquin.

Quest for Balance participants this weekend enjoyed a morning yoga session over the water as the sun broke through the clouds. Today, attendees are sea kayaking among the islands on the edge of Algonquin Park. Later this afternoon, some have signed up for a reflexology treatment, and of course as always, Greg and Matt have been serving up some colourful, energizing meals.

All in all, it’s been a great retreat weekend.

We’re delighted to be hosting Universal Studios sweepstakes winners in a world-wide Evan Almighty travel contest. About 18 months ago our green eco-friendly facility and travel experiences caught the attention of the production company looking to host travellers for a green Canadian holiday grand prize. Grand-prize winners were selected in regions all over the world.

See some photos of the Sweepstakes winners visit!

In the movie, Evan is instructed by God to build an ark.

We felt it was only fitting to have our guests build kayaks and paddle canoes and kayaks as part of their Canadian travel experience.

We met the 26 contest winners in Toronto and escorted them to Peterborough, Ontario, home of the Canadian Canoe Museum and host of our “Build a Sea Kayak” experience. From there, it’s been four days at the Edge where we’ve been canoeing, hiking, sea kayaking, participating in creative experiences and photographing nature.

Short snippet of Edge Video, more pictures coming soon . . . .

It’s been really interesting seeing how people with a variety of cultural backgrounds, first languages and lifestyles have settled into the quiet and nature of our Algonquin Park, Canada home. I’m sure it will be a bit of a shock to the senses when they travel to Toronto and head home later this week, but for now, we’re happy that an Ark isn’t required. The sun is shining and spirits are high here at the Edge.