Out in the Wilderness

One of my favourite fairly recent memories involves a camping trip a couple of friends and I took a number of years ago. We drove out to Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park and set up our tent at one of the sites for a couple of days. I can’t remember which actual camping area we were at (Kakabeka has three), but I do remember there being a lot of RVs and trailers around—not so many other tents—which made me chuckle at the relative primitive setup we had. I believe the more tent-oriented sites had been flooded and weren’t usable. Regardless, the weather was good, the hiking enjoyable, and it was just a nice way to get away for a little bit. Hearing the wolves howling at night is something that will stick with me for a long time.

As we head into summer, our June issue will take a closer look at this favourite pastime of many people here in the northwest, and the different ways one can do it. Our cover story will feature people’s experiences and with—and some of the gear needed for—four different types of camping: backcountry camping, car camping, trailer camping and motorhome camping. Staying with the theme, drink columnist Jeannie Dubois has three delicious cocktails that are natural fits for the campsite, film columnist Michael Sobota features four films with camping as a central theme, and chef Rachel Globensky tells us how to make a classic dish that will get any day outdoors off to a great start.

Elsewhere in our June issue, Kris Ketonen has the latest on this year’s Pride Month plans and a special fundraiser that will be taking place to benefit Thunder Pride, Marcia Arpin speaks with Bill Smeltzer, a local man who is combining his loves of music and woodworking to help young people, and Roxann Shapwaykeesic has more about Damien Bouchard, a member of Aroland First Nation who continues to pursue his love of (and talent for) photography and videography here in Thunder Bay. We also have a story on what the organizers of the Tumblestone music festival are planning this year.

So, as we head into summer and our planned camping adventures, we hope this issue will help inspire your next trip out of the city, and entertain you along the way.

- Matt Prokopchuk