More on Algonquin by Susan L.

  We took advantage of the numerous trails accessible from the road, picking one trail to hike per day. The first hike, an easy and fairly flat was a boardwalk that is wheelchair accessible. It meandered through wetlands and woods. The following two were a bit more strenuous and involved a good bit of up and down. In some places, the park had installed stairs which helped with the steeper climbs.
  The "ups" were worth it. Standing on the edge of a granite bluff, peering over the treetops below, was awe inspiring. There were trees as far as the eye could see and in some places no sign of human influence. No power lines, cell towers, or houses intruded on the masses of green. There were times even the sound of the highway running across the park disappeared.
  The pines that gripped the edge of the cliffs were twisted from the wind. The roots ran over the granite like a web searching for the tiniest crack. The trees were utterly determined to find the weak spots in the rock where perhaps a few tastes of soil lay tucked in its depths. In some places the ground sounded hollow beneath our feet especially where pine needles lay in a thick mat over the granite.
  One of the hikes led us through a couple of beaver created habitats. One pond had been abandoned to the grasses, the dam no longer holding back the water. The other was in full use with a meticulously maintained dam. The engineering abilities of these animal are amazing. Except for man, they are the only animal that has a massive impact on the environment. Although, in the case of a beaver pond, the habitat created is beneficial to many aquatic creatures.
  Last spring I'd picked up an ash branch that was ideal for hiking. I'd left it to dry in the basement and over the course of the winter, stripped the bark off. I'd never used a walking stick while hiking. I was surprised to find out what a difference it made. Not that it supports any weight, it just stabilizes and assists balance. Which is great when the trail is lined with boulder steps and jutting tree roots.
  The one thing about Algonquin that mesmerized me was the quality of the light. I spent hours just looking, breathing in the fresh air and the visual beauty that was everywhere. There's something soft, almost ethereal, to the sunlight as it caresses the trees. Even at the height of day, when the rays are their strongest it was almost like seeing the trees feasting on its life giving light. I can fully understand why the Group of Seven painted so many pictures from within the park. It is truly a special place.
  "I will meditate on the glorious splendour of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works." Ps 145:5