Our blue canoe drifts silently across the shallow bay in the shadow of Tom Thomson’s gravesite, which is located high on the hill to the west. A pair of loons approaches with two babies in tow, as curious about us as we are thrilled to see and hear them.
The clouds that earlier threatened rain begin to break up, and the sun illuminates the canoes, the loons, and the waves in unison, transforming the solemn morning into a glorious day.
I am here in Algonquin Park with my wife Dervla. We are on short wilderness getaway that has a bit of a twist. Instead of camping for the night like I am used to, we will head back to Deerhurst Resort for some fine dining and a comfortable bed. It is a compromise that makes us both happy.
We have come to pay respect to the memory of the late artist Tom Thomson on the centennial year of his untimely death on Canoe Lake. There is no better way to do this than in a canoe on the lake where he spent so much time and he loved so much.
The Portage Store outfits us with everything we need to enjoy the day on the water. Vince provides us with a map of the Canoe Lake, making note of the features that are worth checking out—the Tom Thomson memorial that was created by the Group of Seven and the remnants of Mowat, once a thriving mill town where Tom often stayed. If you don’t want to explore or paddle on your own, you can take a guided tour to learn about Tom Thomson. There is so much history here that I consider it an essential destination for anyone interested in Canadian culture.
Historical artifacts aside though, the energy here is palpable, and for that reason alone is worth the trip. Canoe Lake is the starting point for many backcountry canoe-trip enthusiasts, but it is also a great place to learn to paddle, or to simply sit on the dock and watch the bustle. Here, it is obvious how important the canoe is to Canadians—anyone who visits or lives in this great country should visit this place at least once.
The Portage Store has a well-stocked shop, and their restaurant is a perfect place to stop for lunch: after eating our Tom Thomson burgers, they happily custom-make our favourite dessert—a cup of vanilla ice cream topped with espresso!
