Preface

I can happily say we survived camping. Now, our trip was only 3 nights and it was car camping but I should first explain the difficulties faced.

Planning

This trip began months ago with the initial idea to visit Algonquin Park for some serious camping. As in, 5-hour drive, canoe to camp site, portage in several areas, live off the land kind of camping. However, the lingering winter weather had other plans for us, because when we started looking into camp sites for the May 4th weekend we discovered that most lakes in the area were still quite frozen over. UH OH. Scratch that.

James, being the main lead for this excursion and most experienced camper, scoured the Ontario Provincial Parks site for good spots MUCH FURTHER SOUTH, and with recommendations from Alex D, found a nice spot at Pinery Provincial Park - 62 Dunes site.

Because of the weather, the trip was pushed to Sunday, the 6th, which would prove to be a test of our ambition because it followed a late-night, alcohol-filled Cinquo de Mayo party.

Problems

Once awake, rehydrated, and communicating, we were quick to get things packed and start assembling the troop - myself, Alex M, Alex D, and James. I'm at Alex D's place when my car decides to present the first challenge. I turn the key to find the engine sputtering and then silence. Some warning lights come on, but then nothing. So we give it some time to chill, and then I try it again - SUCCESS. We're off! Or, at least we thought - second challenge. The beautiful red Ford Windstar gets us a few blocks up Kipling and then the engine starts spewing out smoke. Yeah, that's a good time to pull over. My father and CAA come to the rescue, and we get dropped off at James' place with all of our stuff. Luckily, James has a roof rack and his parents are willing to let us use his car for the trip, while my van is hopefully being put out of its misery after 16 long years.

We're quick to get on the road after loading James' car and we enjoy a relatively uneventful trip West. Despite getting into the park after it technically closes, we have no issues and find our campsite after many windy dirt roads. It's pitch dark at this point, partly because we're within the park, and partly because we have so few neighbours. Surprisingly, we set up with no great difficulty and we begin relaxing for bed. It's at this point that I realize my mistake - third challenge. Despite my incessant nagging about "make sure you bring this and that", I forgot to bring my own sleeping bag AND pillow. In addition to this, we all start to feel the chill of being near a lake late at night. It's freezing out here. After a few cold drinks in the cold (why do we do this to ourselves) and too many candies from the night before's pinata, we hunker down in the tent. James graciously provides me with a couple blankets for the night, and I spend the night meticulously placing them to keep the cold from claiming my extremities. I later visit the local Home Hardware to buy their warmest (and cheapest) sleeping bag.

This is a good first impression of our campsite after we had set up. Candy because all the food was still packed away in the car.

Perfect

It's the first morning at 62 Dunes, and we awake to discover just how incredible our site is. We've got tree-cover for privacy from any neighbours, we're one of the closest spots to the sand dunes and the beach, and we're incredibly close to the way-better-than-expected washroom/shower facilities. On top of all this, we would go on to have nothing but sunshine and clear skies for the entire stay.

Day 1 setup - slackline in place, two hammocks, sleeping tent, dining tent (in the shadows on the left), and the start of an embarrassing 1st game of Beer Darts for Alex D and I.

Sometimes your feet just need a quick roast over the fire.

We surprised even ourselves at how well you can eat while camping, we easily finished a 40 of Kraken along with many beers, ciders, and mixed drinks, and Alex M managed to get a sunburn within the first hours of the first day, despite being the only one who brought sunscreen.

Sunsets, trips to the desolate, early-summer Grand Bend boardwalk, and roaring fires were enjoyed. James schooled us in spike ball, Alex D proved to be the only one unable to hit in beer darts, and sand got absolutely EVERYWHERE. 10/10 trip.