Day Road Trip around Toronto (Mushrooms Hunting Included))

Hola, Everyone!

Summer is almost here, days are getting longer and warmer... and Mother Nature and a road is calling again!

And a weekend is here too! That's what I've been waiting for... for all five days, since the last weekend))...

And it's time for a Day Road Trip around Toronto!

This time I decided to go to some forest with a hope to find morels. So I took my cameras, made protein shake with coffee, took swimming shorts, (yup, I was hoping to pass some lake during this trip) and not thinking long, how I'll spend this day, was on my way to the North.

My first destination was about 195km from Toronto, the place near Minden Hills.

It was a bit rainy outside, and a bit chilly… but, that was a part of a plan – I was hoping that because of the cold weather it will not be many mosquitoes and black flies in the forest… I was wrong… the plan didn’t work…

There were lots of those little creatures! And every and each of them wanted to bite me. Fortunately for me, I knew, that it might happen, so I put a rain jacket on, and cream from those little vampires and went to the forest.

BTW, I skipped the part of story about my way into the woods, because, there was nothing interesting there…, except the part, where, on the way,  I got a large milkshake near a gas station where the gas was 15c cheaper, than in Toronto (which was a good surprise for me).

Kawartha Ice Cream Milkshake

Ou, and the way to the forest – it was little off road there, exactly what I like))

Forester in the Forest

So, I'm here... and realized, that I forgot to take a knife and a bag for mushrooms... Well, I guess, in a past, I knew it can happen, so I already had a knife and extra beg in my car)...

So, I'm it the forest, looking for mushrooms... Mushrooms, where are you?...

Looking for Mushrooms))

Eh, after a while walking in the woods, I realized, that there are no mushrooms here..., but, at least I found lots of flowers, trilliums)), and one more kind of flowers, which I haven't seen before. Well, at least it was better, than nothing))

Trillium Flower

Some Flower

So, a little bit disappointed, but still happy from the time in the forest I went back to the car and started to drive. But the hope still was inside me... and... Eureka!

From the car I notice one! One Morel! And here another one!... In total 5 big morels... Yup, it is not much, but still, it is much better, than nothing)) Kind of gift for me from Mother Nature, and, kind of a massage - Newer Loose Hope, Continue to Believe))

Morel Mushroom

Morel Mushroom)

Well, this found already made my day..., and it was just only the beginning... despite it was already around 3pm)).

So, where can I go next... I was close to the Stop sign, on the way from the forest, and I had couple of options... Turn left and go home..., or turn right and... move towards Algonquin Park, which was around 90km away...

Well and, of course, I turned right)... Another places were waiting! And I still wanted to swim. And eat... And, fortunately for me, on my way North, I knew one very good place, where I could have some food.

The Mill Pond Restaurant - very good place, highly recommend it, if you are in the area. BTW, it is hwy 118 and 35.

The Mill Pond Restaurant

So, here I got french onion soup and mushroom burger with none alcohol beer) Everything was yummy and the price was very good too)) And amazing service.

Yummy Burger

And, while I was eating, my plans about the trip has changed again. I just decided to make this trip a bit shorter, and visit one place, which wasn't in a previous plan).. And of course with a stop for a swimming.

And, there was something more here... Just wanna share with you.

I wanted to take video, for my YouTube channel, of the place from inside. But was to shy to ask the stuff about permission... Yup, I am still a shy person))... So at first I just gave up and decided do not take one... But, but, the same time I really wanted to overcome this barrier inside my head. Why? Just because it stopped me... I, kind of, stopped myself from, I'd say, from future development.

So, I made a deep inhale and asked a personal about permission. And I notice, that my voice was very quiet, it's like, I didn't want that anyone could hear me... So I repeat again, a bit louder this time. And you know what - they agreed!)) And one lady even subscribed to my channel))

Well, I can put it in my achievement for today))

So, let's continue the joinery.

And my way was to Huckleberry Rock Lookout, which is in Muskoka. But, the swimming first.

And, again, fortunately for me, I knew one place)) But, even if I wouldn't - this is Muskoka! There are lots of lakes here)

Anyway, I've reached my place... let's call it "Rocks" and... and mosquitos and black flies were very happy to see me... And they were very hungry! So I put my rain jacket again and moved through the woods towards the lake. And, on my way of course I was looking for more mushrooms..., and I found them!!!, ...but these were not edible...

But I was 100% edible! So when I reached the lake, my swimming was fast). BTW, the water was amazing! ...About the weather - air was +15C, and it was cloudy))

Swimming in a forest lake

Well, the mission for today is completed! I found some mushrooms, just swam... Bonus left)) The Lookout

The road was pretty much empty, so I just was enjoying the ride. And the Sun, it finally started to came out.

And Beautiful Muskoka was welcoming me)

The parking lot at the Lookout was almost empty, which meant that it was perfect timing for hike and filming.

Huckleberry Rock Lookout

On the way to the top (that's about 10 - 15 min walk), I took my shoes off, just wanted to walk barefoot, to connect with Mother Nature...

Walking Barefoot

I walked slowly, I wasn't in rush, was just enjoying the hike... I still had lots of time before the sunset.

The evening was sunny and warm, and it was no one around, so far. I was taking video, walking up to the hill, didn't look under my feet... and, almost stepped on a little snake)) Good for both of us that she noticed me first and started to move towards the bushes.

I've reached the top... The view... Lakes, forests.. Muskoka in all beauty! And it all was painted in the golden colures of the Sunset...

Huckleberry Rock Lookout, the View

It was beautiful day... Ice-cream, cheep gas, mushrooms, flowers, burger, swimming, snake, and... this...

I spend a while there, just enjoying the view, but it was time to go home... 200km of driving was waiting for me...

I've reached my car..., started looking for a key... and... voa la - I've lost my key.

Yup, 200km from home I've lost my key!..

This time my way up, back to the top was very fast. The sun was going down and it was pretty easy to be lost there in the darkness. And I'm at the top, again! And I see my key!) Here they are) What a trip! What an adventure!

Okay, wallet, key, phone, cameras... was counting I before leaving)

The trip was almost over, but the Joinery wit a name - Life is continue!...

See You again and Have a Wonderful Day!