Winter Wonderland Awaits

Article and photos by Duncan McEwen

So, what are we going to do today? This is a common question in our family, especially last winter with an extreme slow-down in our busy schedules. At the time of writing this article, we are slowly restarting the big engine that has sat idle for over 17 months. Although it’s great to get back to some of the things we missed the most, the hiatus allowed us many opportunities to go exploring the great outdoors.

It was the perfect combination of cabin fever, (COVID-19) safe activities, and northwestern Ontario and all her glory.

Before hitting the lake, trails, or the highway on any of our family adventures, we start with our entryway littered with gear. Some of the staples that usually get jammed into a waterproof duffel bag include extra layers and backup mitts, hats, socks and the like, a lighter, flashlight, hand-foot warmers, insulated water bottles, and a packable shovel.

The author (Duncan) cuts up some dry pine to add to the bonfire.

Duncan, Jessi, and daughter Elle relax on a glorious February day with their fireside lunch of kabasa, cheese, pickles and crackers.

We also take our time when packing food. Snacks are key! We usually have an assortment of quick snacks like cookies, crackers and granola bars. Other go-to’s for us are venison snack sticks and smokies, smoked trout or even little leftover walleye bites from the night before. This packable bag varies from excursion to excursion, but most of the aforementioned makes an appearance on all outings, especially the food!

One of our favourite family outings is right outside our back door and requires the least amount of planning and packing: Kenora Nordic and Biathlon Club (KNBC). We can actually ski there and it boasts 20 kilometers of beautifully laid out and groomed trails for both classic and skate skiers. The technicality of the trails varies from a “leisurely family ski” to “ this is a workout!”. Trails are very well signed and mapped, and packing a snack to have at one of the lookout points is often the highlight of the ski trip. KNBC offers great programs for kids including programming and lessons for bunnies (age 3 and up) to adults. This has been one of the best investments for our family. We all feel great after a good ski. With its offering of both challenging downhill runs and spectacular cross country trails, neighbouring Mount Evergreen provides some of the best reasons and benefits for living in a winter nation. Check out their websites for a lot more information at skikenora.com.

Another outing that has us up and moving on a weekend is snowmobiling. Wow, what a sport! Although, I’m not all that new to owning a snowmobile, I am new to owning a newer performance model. With the help of a modern-day sled, I can now make it into many remote back lakes and trails such as the Aulneau Peninsula, which I’ve wanted to visit for a long time. It’s the perfect way to find that south-facing, sunny shore that is out of the wind and lends itself to a bonfire and a smokie. Be sure to support our local snowmobile club by purchasing a permit. The volunteers that commit their time to marking and grooming the trails in our region are vital to the sport. Check out sunsettrailriders.ca to gain information on trail permits, maps, and other events this winter.

The last outing I want to reflect on is a little harder to pin down. The plan is, we have no plan. It’s more just the adventure itself. We may not have a specific destination in mind, but we set out on the highway, trail, or lake just the same. Stopping at wherever we feel like, or whatever catches our eye. In adventures like this, we have come across waterfalls (icefalls), great fishing spots, scenic views, and many other treasures we wouldn’t have come across otherwise. These are some of my favourite. It seems that since we may not have a destination in our minds, we are actually able to focus on other things like our children, our conversation, an icicle, and our dog. On trips like this, we may pack fishing gear, skis, sleds, and snowshoes. We may use some; we may not use any.

Bannock wrapped strawberries and roasted apples. Simple and delicious!

A few ideas for this unknown destination include the ice road on Lake of the Woods (which can take you all the way to the Northwest Angle, MN), Highway 71—towards Sioux Narrows, and definitely the Jones Road north towards Grassy Narrows. These three “threads” provide countless opportunities for amazing vistas, cozy campfires and good ‘ol family fun. Inevitably, we feel just as satisfied after one of these outings as we would with any other outing. Needless to say, the snack (meal) is a staple in our unknown adventure.

Whether you have experienced some of the same excursions as my family, or you create your own, get out there and do something. The outdoor world we live in is amazing, and the possibilities are endless. Prepare yourself before leaving by having the right gear, the right amount of food and drinks, let someone know your (rough) plan, and know the weather.

Oh, and one last thing; don’t let the weather forecast affect whether or not the trip will happen. Instead, let it better prepare you for the adventure.