Monday October 7, 2024
I awoke at my parent's back cabin around 4am. This was the day I'd given up a week of pay, and now I was going back to Killarney. All year, ALL year. I was hoping I could get another shot at that 'granite sunrise' shot I had last year, and now I was going to do it. The weather is supposed to be amazing all week, so I figure I have a shot, if it isn't too clear, or too overcast, or something else happens. I spent the last two days distilling all my gear into packages I could understand where everything was, and is. It is now in the car, and I’m ready to go. A quick pancake breakfast with the parents, and a bit of a worry since my trailer lights are not working, but screw it I’m going anyhow. Last year was the week after thanksgiving, and this year is the week before. I booked site 76 way ahead of time, on the map, it should be at the end of a road, off by itself, in absolute seclusion.
I decided to go via Algonquin east gate and see the leaves, which are supposedly at peak, down through Huntsville, and then after that the real journey begins. I stopped by Barry's bay shell for a quick fill up, popped in some gum-out since my oil change would be happening next weekend, and then headed for Algonquin. It did not disappoint, but there were signs the hoard was about to descend. There were far more cars stopping to use the facilities, and the facilities were spotless, ready for the onslaught. I dipped in at the gate, relieved myself, and then continued. The sky was blue, the clouds were puffy - and well, the light wasn't half bad.. but not to be delayed, I had my eyes set on a goal, and didn't want to buy a day pass for 15 minutes of snooping. I enjoyed the drive through the park though, a smile was on my face for the first time in a little while, and this is just the tip of the iceberg, I hope.
I stopped at the shell in Huntsville and topped up... the station was small, and there was a blue SUV with a Chinese couple who seemed absolutely clueless about gas stations. I seem to be re-living a moment from last year... at least there was only 2, and not 12 crammed in there. I got my gas... and then noticed that the blue SUV which was facing me, was staring at me like I was blocking them. Uh-huh... well... I can't exactly turn, because I had to park pretty close due to the pumps being close together. and I had a trailer blocking the driveway because of it. So I'm having the stare down with the woman, like, why the duck don't you back up and get out of the way? Clearly it is easier for you to do this than me, what with my trailer. but no... she stared at me, her black eyes boring into my very soul. so, I said, well shit, I guess I’m backing up. and I did... and I waited... and she waited... and there was room for her to go, but she didn't. Well, I guess I’m jackknifing and then driving over the curb. The last time I did something like this I got a flat. I accelerated out into the street as soon as I could get a clear path and heard the back end slam down roughly over the curb. Then the blue car came out after me. What the truck lady? Whatever, I'm gone. I will not let someone's lack of smarts get me. I'm on my way to the second-best place in Ontario. The rest of the trip was uneventful, I filled up the tank every time I went down by 1/4 and whenever I could. The result is by the time I reached Killarney proper, I have 3/4 of a tank and not 1/2 so hopefully there's no fuel anxiety this time, though I am staying for an extra night this time.
I signed in at the gatehouse, informed them that if I die, they can indeed let people know I’m here, and then headed for my site. Spoilers, objects on the park map may be closer together than depicted. There's a tent freaking city about 5 long strides from my site. I hope they aren't here the whole time. but based on what I saw for the reservation, I’m guessing they are. I got set up and organized within a couple hours and set up for dinner at about 4, when they neighbors came in. An Indian? woman said hello, and I greeted in kind. They are fairly quiet so far, however they are bushwhacking and taking firewood from the forest, which is a big no-no (I found a neatly stacked pile of firewood at my site that was obviously locally obtained and fired it off into the bush, You'll not catch me being an accomplice to these folks. It leaves me in a bit of a pickle, I do want to report them, but at the same time, I’m the only one here who is new, so they will know it was me. So I guess I will have to stew in silence, the last thing I want is campground wars.
I'm sitting here typing while they listen to music softly and chat quietly, so no issues, I guess. My vegetable soup is sitting beside me, and I had some nice hibiscus tea waiting for my soup to turn from lava into something edible. I guess I’ll sign out for now, it is approaching 6pm and the sun is starting to dip, as some clouds roll in the temperature is going down pretty fast.
7:06 pm
I've pretty much settled on going up the ridge tomorrow at around 5am sunrise is somewhere around 7. All the data I can find states I have about 50-70% chance of seeing something special. So I don't want to regret it... so I’ll go. Once that is done, I’ll come back, have breakfast and either do cranberry bog or silhouette east.