Welcome to all on the Algonquin Park dog sledding expedition's blog of the Tip of the Toes Foundation.
Today was one of conveyance, but we are all hard at work ready for adventure. One thing is sure, snow is there and will continue falling throughout tomorrow. We left Montreal at 9 am this morning and reached our destination at about 6 pm. And what a destination! The Northridge Inn, its rustic and comfortable atmosphere, but in the woods, with a bonus unique deco and a very welcoming staff. Many thanks to our brave volunteer bus driver, André, Marc-André’s father, one of the facilitators.
For some, the trip was even longer, since this bilingual expedition, welcomes participants from around the country. Short round of presentation tour, from West to East: Coming from British Columbia, Noah; Alberta, Colette; Manitoba, Tabitha and Merceades; Ontario, Anthony; Quebec, Antoine, Brandon, Esteban, Etienne, Alex and Nicolas; from Prince Edward Island, Dylan; and finally, from Nova Scotia, Elliot and Dawson. And while we are getting acquainted, here is our escort team. First, Marc-André and Catherine, our two facilitators from the Tip of the Toes Foundation, Simon, our doctor, Naila, our nurse, Marie-Joëlle, our psycho-educator, and myself Valerian, blogger and photographer.
Despite the various backgrounds, group spirit soon emerges. That evening after supper, with Irish dance lessons courtesy of Colette, we have established all our rules of life: communication, respect, safety, participation, and also clean up.
Tomorrow, we will meet our three Chocpaw musher-guides, who we will guide our sled teams through the forests of Ontario.
For now, it is time for bed in our comfortable rooms, for tomorrow is a big day is ahead of us!