Liz Beatty // Host
Native Traveler Blog
Native Traveler Blog

Check out Native Traveler's full-length ALGONQUIN show!

 
 

Here we celebrate ice out on the lacework of lakes and waterways across Canada, but specifically that of Algonquin park—Canada’s oldest provincial park three hours northwest of Toronto. We talk lost canoe routes and tripping techniques. We take a look at one of Ontario's most beloved wilderness lodges. First, though, we mark the 100th anniversary of the death of a Canadian art icon, Tom Thomson, in Algonquin Park and the making of a Canadian legend.

 

The Happy Camper

 

A Perfect Fall Day on Canoe Lake

Sundry Algonquin Tips

Off the Lake

Whitewater raft on the Madawaska River. Hike and mountain bike on park trails. Beckon wolves to answer at evening Wolf Howls.
 

Local Chow

Book ahead for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Arowhon Pines—a historic wilderness lodge with food rivaling top tables anywhere.


Wildlife

Watch for moose, deer, fox, wolves, beavers, loons, blue herons, etc. Hang your food in a tree and make noise in the bush so as not to find black bears.


Rituals

Ice out, of course. Spring fishing for lake trout. A visit to Thomson’s Cairn and Totem Pole Memorials on Hayhurst Point. Tripping Big Trout Loop.


The Experts

A Canoe Lake fixture, the Portage Store offers complete outfitting, tripping advice, and guides. See here for park info and attractions.


Other Required Reading

Northern Light by Roy MacGregor—a crash course in local lore. The Last Guide: A Story of Fish and Love by Ron Corbett.

Death on a Painted Lake: The Tom Thomson Tragedy

Tom Thomson, one of Canada’s most influential painters of the 20th-century, was last seen alive around mid-day, July 8, 1917, when setting out alone across Canoe Lake to begin a fishing trip. He was familiar with the area, having visited there a number of times – while working in the Park as a fire ranger, a guide for fishing parties, and of course, pursuing his painting. Within hours of his departure, his empty canoe was spotted floating not far from the dock he had left from, and more than a week later, his body surfaced in the lake. His untimely death helped transform the aspiring artist into a cultural giant. Read more...

Check out Native Traveler's full-length SILENT PLACES show!

 
 

When was the last time you heard nothing? This week we explore wild silence—the most extraordinary places for travelers to find it, why we need it, and how we can enjoy it while being pampered with the ultimate in creature comforts. Shhhhhh and listen below. 

From Ann Abel's Instagram Account // @abeltotravel 

Wild Silence

Wild Silence

I've never been so cold in my life. It's January in Yellowstone National Park and we're on the prowl for the park's famously elusive wolves. My watch lights up with the time: not even 6 a.m. But our guide insists that the earlier the better so we're up before dawn, packed into a van and crossing our frozen fingers that our efforts will pay off. He spots a National Geographic photographer he knows just pulling over ahead of us. If anyone knows where the wolves are, it's this guy.

This Is Your Brain on Nature // National Geographic Magazine

When you head out to the desert, David Strayer is the kind of man you want behind the wheel. He never texts or talks on the phone while driving. He doesn’t even approve of eating in the car. A cognitive psychologist at the University of Utah who specializes in attention, Strayer knows our brains are prone to mistakes, especially when we’re multitasking and dodging distractions. Among other things, his research has shown that using a cell phone impairs most drivers as much as drinking alcohol does.
Strayer is in a unique position to understand what modern life does to us. An avid backpacker, he thinks he knows the antidote: Nature.

Award-winning Journalist Ann Abel on Wilderness, Luxury, and Disconnecting

Off-the-grid havens, the rewards of reconnecting with nature, and how to unplug in luxurious style—luxury travel writer and badass adventurer Ann Abel has a knack for finding the most incredible places to fall off the map. Have a look at her recommendations below.

Where to Get Lost: The World's Most Remote Luxury Lodges // Forbes

Disconnecting: The Hot New Trend in Luxury Travel // Forbes

Remote Places to Stay

A guide to the world's most amazing off-the-beaten-path lodges, recommended by wilderness luxury guru Ann Abel.  

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