Farewell to Another Great Year in Northeastern Ontario!

It’s hard to believe we are about to change the last digit on the calendar again. As the drab December weather diminishes the desire to get outside and play, it allows for time to reflect on all the adventures of the months past. Looking back it has been an amazing year exploring the outdoor playground of Northeastern Ontario—be it on snow, water or land. A year of new activities to try, new people to meet and new places to visit.

It is said that a photo is worth a thousand words; I believe it’s worth even more as memories.

So please allow me to share with you a few thousand words worth of my favourite Northeastern Ontario photo memories from the past year.

It all started with a mid-January morningview from Valois’ Motel & Restaurant in Mattawa. The near freezing Ottawa River steaming in the -28C morning air.

On the RAN Tour (Ride Around Nipissing Tour): After spending a night at the Pine Grove Resort we are heading back in to Port Loring for breakfast. Fresh snow overnight and a spectacular sunrise, definitely a WOW morning.

This is where I understood the impact of the snowmobile on Northeastern Ontario—stopping in at a backcountry restaurant to find a lineup at the door to get in and nothing but sleds in the parking lot.

Fishing with my sons: Heading out with Nipissing Muskie guiding service on to the West Arm of Lake Nipissing in search of monster pike. An awesome late May weekend at Saenchiur Flechey Resort.

The bike parade at the Bikers Reunion in New Liskeard. An amazing event for an amazing cause.

Some moments in life are truly priceless. Like watching the sunrise over Lake Nipissing with my son.

It takes a few factors to create a lasting memory—good friends, good weather and good times. This two wheeled day trip around lake Nipissing had it all.

Welcome to the secret lake, a 30-minute hike in, a few hours fishing from canoes found stashed in the grass then hike out with dinner in hand. Northeastern Ontario is dotted with thousands of these secret lakes. Most of their locations are not very well kept secrets—you just have to ask.

Another first for the family. A day on the trail with the French River ATV Tours.

A last minute cottage getaway to Mashkinonje Lodge in Northeastern Ontario's French River / Lake Nipissing area. Waterfront accommodations anyone? You can’t get much closer than this.

Another day on a boat, another pike on the line. The true joy of fishing is measured in smiles, and in Northeastern Ontario smiles are easy to come by.

The amazing power of the internet. While planning a visit to Bonfield for some trail riding, I turned to the WWWeb for assistance and, just like that, I was all set with a place to stay at the Cedar Gables Lodge and some new local friends to ride with.

That’s quite the playground you have there Northeastern Ontario. I know I just scratched the surface. To this past year, I say good night and thanks for the memories—it’s been a blast. To the new year, if your listening, I say bring it on—I’m ready for more.

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