How could a camp that started so wrong, go so right? That's what happened to TREK 99. First our beloved Cookie (Heather Whitworth) is informed 2 weeks before camp that her holidays were cancelled and she couldn't go. Then 1 week before the camp a transport truck loaded with lumber burns out the West Bridge in Algonquin causing a two-hour detour. Two days before the camp the full size van that Durham rented to take 6 people up was no longer available so they were give a car to use. Then the day before the camp, Chief's (Doug Keith) alternator blows while picking up supplies for the camp. What else could go wrong?

After 5 hours of travel on Sunday to get to Algonquin, we arrive at Whitefish Lake Group Camp Site #9 (the famous #9). After setting up the kitchen tent, our sleeping tents and having supper, we had a get together/party to get to know each other. Ghetto blaster in the middle of Algonquin was our entertainment. We knew it was going to be a special time when the Northern Lights came out and the wolves were howling throughout the first night.

Refresher paddling lessons were done Monday morning. Then after lunch a canoe trip up to the next lake with one portage in between the lakes. Lots of swimming in the river and jumping from the banks. Why is Site #9 so famous? Some of the pictures show a large tree with roots exposed. These roots are used as lounge chairs to take in the beauty of Algonquin. This tree as well leans over the river. Hmmm. Possibility for a rope swing? Absolutely !!!!! The MNR keeps cutting the ropes down and campers keep putting them up. We were campers like everyone else so up went a rope. What a BLAST !!!!!!!! A few choice words were said when swinging towards the river and letting go 15 feet above the river. After supper, we again had a relaxing gathering around the campfire and listening to music. Luckily we had lots of D batteries.

Wednesday we start of the Trek in to the interior of Algonquin. The kitchen was packed up and put into the truck and any extra gear was stored in the vehicles. Joined by the last leader, we start our way down to Pen Lake to our first interior sight. After a 400M portage we found Flat Rock. A site with a large flat rock that gently sloped into the water. Perfect for star watching and daydreaming. At 11PM all campers assembled on the rock, laid back and drifted into the silence of Algonquin. A moment in time never to be forgotten by all. Wolf calling was attempted with several answers being received in the distance.

Thursday the killer portage looms in from of us. Four hours to portage the 7 canoes and all our gear across the 1680M portage. PAIN !! EXHAUSTION !! NEXT YEAR? We finally make it to Night Lake and then a small portage to Galeairy Lake and that's when we found Jump Rock. A smaller island with a rock point that went straight down in the water to a depth of 15ft just off shore. What a blast. Between the cannon balls, jackknifes and peter pan dives, it amounted to 3 hours of wet and wild fun. MMMMMMMM!!!! IMP's for dinner. Drew's favorite. More wolf calling but not too many responses tonight. It is unfortunately our last night in Algonquin. We don't want to go home. Lets stay in Algonquin forever. OK now back to reality.

Friday, time to canoe back to civilization, unfortunately. Flush toilets!!! Civilization is starting to sound better. We canoe back to Rock Lake going past Echo Bay trying a mix of wolf howling and Trekker talk to find out if Echo Bay works. Drew spots a rare Pterodactyl disguised as a Blue Heron. It's on to our access point where the vehicles are waiting for us. Our Trek is over but will not be forgotten and will always be cherished. We have all been personally affected by the Algonquin experience.

It's now on to Balsam Lake to go to Ambulympics 4. TIRED, EXHAUSTED but full of GREAT MEMORIES we descend onto Balsam Lake. We try to participate as much as our weary bodies will allow us. It is obvious to other campers that the Trekkers do have a special bond between them. We arrived at Algonquin as Leaders and Crusaders but returned as a close nit family.

A four-year dream by a couple of Officers has now become reality. More than that, reality has turned into something magical that will be remembered always by the 14 people who participated in the dream.

TREK 99 will always live on in our hearts and memories.