We were driving on highway 60 one beautiful June evening in 2014 after taking part in an art show in Ottawa. On the spur of the moment my love suggested that we rent a canoe and escape civilization via Smoke lake.

It was my first time in Algonquin. It was 6 o’clock and we had 4 hours of paddling and one hefty portage ahead of us.

I had no idea where we were going. I didn’t even know if I would remember how to hold a paddle. But I was determined, and so in love.

Because we didn’t plan for a canoe trip, and because the sun was on its way down, we hastily threw everything into the canoe.

Consequently we had way too much useless junk to portage and yet not one flashlight. We reached our destination in darkness.

I was aching but I was in a dream. The time we stayed at our sacred place was filled with magic. That first evening was a life changing moment for me and I will forever be grateful and forever in love with the man of my life and Algonquin Park.