Moose on the Loose or Spring in Algonquin

Algonquin Park is beautiful any time of the year. This past weekend, it was wonderfully rejuvenating and refreshing (and I don’t just mean it figuratively as the temperature dropped down to zero most of the nights). We spent our time exploring the Old Railway Bike Trail, embracing spring and huddling by the fire on chilly nights. And then, on our way back, we were rewarded by a close encounter with a moose.

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Celebrating New Year, camping style

In my home country, they say the way you celebrate New Year is really important since it sets the tone for the year ahead. So I headed for the woods with family because I can’t think of a better way to spend the next year.

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Red House Lake in Allegany State Park, NY, USA. It started snowing the day we arrived and didn’t stop for the next three days.

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Our little cabin in the woods. Roman’s favourite activity was to break off icicles from the roof.

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We managed to squeeze in some sledding before Max ripped the tube.

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We took a hike to Thunder Rocks and got to do some climbing, well, as much as snow, ice and our boots would allow.

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And, as always, Roman found some icicles to break.

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The hike back was much easier,  in fact, since it was downhill, it was a lot of fun.

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Meanwhile, the snow kept falling.

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And Roman kept trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue.

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Back in the cabin, all toasty and snug.

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Roman kept himself busy with a rainbow loom and pretty soon we were all fitted with pretty, colourful bracelets.

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Getting ready to celebrate.

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Saying goodbye to 2013.

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2014 is almost here. Toast to a new year at exactly 12 o’clock.

Since Roman was already asleep by then, we had another toast the next day.

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After a few failed attempts with numbers drawn backwards and fire going out too quickly, we managed to write 2014 with glowing sticks.

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Well, 2014, bring it on!