We arrived at Achray camp (Algonquin Park) and set up for the night. Coming in we had seen a black bear so everyone was very excited.

I was very impressed - Brent brought a 'library' with him of books, stories, songs, etc. As you'll see in later photos - he would pull them out at night to read around the fire.

I arrenged to 'hire' Brent as a guide for a number of reasons.

One he was good and I trusted him with my life and that of my friends.
Two, I am very proud of him and wanted others to meet him.
Three, I wanted to support his business.
Four, I'd started to become even closer to Brent 'the man' (vs. Brent the little brother) over the last few years and considered him a best friend as well.
Most importantly, I wanted to spend time with him.

So I am very glad I was able to make this trip a reality and that great memories are so fresh.

This shot captures the group as they are about to embark on the trip and Brent's instruction of them (Duane, Isabel, Satu, Pete, Caroline, Michael, Conn).

Brent was incredable ar organising trips. Here he carries the food barrel over a portage. You'll see some of the contents later. We ate better on this trip than many people do in the luxury of their homes!

Gotta keep eating that trail-mix. I like taking un-posed photographs (I use point and shoot) and as a result I get many 'unflattering' photos like this one. Today I would give anything to take more unflattering photos of Brent. (Satu in background)

Brent took turns canoing with each of my friends and patiently instructed them on paddling. At one point he started singing 'Dip Dip and Swing' and 'Land of the Silver Birch' - both classic (for us) canoing/outdoor songs. I had forgotten them until he sung them - and when I came back to the UK (where I currently live), I looked them up and found a MP3 file with them. Listen to them / read the lyrics below:
1) Listen to the song ('Paddle Song'
    followed by 'Land of the Silver Birch')
2) Lyrics to 'Paddle Song' and 'Land of the Silver Birch'

Once we would arrive at camp, Brent would set up the camp stove while we set up our tents. We would then either help prepare diner, collect firewood or sometimes just take a nap. Brent was very helpful and was quite willing to 'lead' in all areas while we 'tourists' did as much or as little as we wanted. At the end of the trip he said that he had enjoyed the trip a lot because it was more 'recreational' than most trips he did. I'm glad we were able to give you a relaxing trip Brent!

Brent's 'back country' cooking amazed everyone. Here he is making cinnamon buns in a 'dutch oven' (fry pan with a tight lid) over the camp fire. Result: stunning!

I'd built up expectations of the trip with the possibility of seeing bears and have to minimise the risk. Seeing a bear as we entered the park reinforced this! So here Brent is trying his hand at getting a rope through a narrow fork 6m up (and obscured by other branches). He didn't hit the target - but it kept us 'boys' busy and tired them out. In the future we opted for putting the food in a canoe and pushing it away from shore - easier!

On abother night, a bear wire was already installed - its amazing how the 'wilderness' had had these conveniences added over the years! So here we are pulling the food packs up....

...unfortunately we could only get them 2 metres off the gound - perfect for a bear to make into a pinata!

Then it is story time - we sit around the fire with a hot drink and listening to the wolves howl. Brent opens his library, picks out a few poems or stories and reads them to us. I felt like a kid again!

In the morning Brent is up before any of us getting the food packs down and preparing breakfast while we barely manage to get dressed. Here he is preparing pancakes with chocolate chips and Maple syrup - hmmm!

Sometimes we'd get a story, quote or poem in the morning...

...somtimes we'd just joke around. Look closely - what do you see (Isabel's presence in the background is purely coincidental)

Then it was off again for the next campsite. Here is Brent showing the group (with Satu as guinea pig) how to switch positions in the canoe while away from shore.

He's also encourage others to navigate and would support them as little or as much as they wanted. Here Conn is trying to identify where we are and Brent captures the moment. One of the things I noticed about Brent's photos is that he likes to give others the limelight. I sent him all these photos of him and he barely used one - but instead used all the great shorts of others on the trip. Well Brent - this site is one focused on you.

With Brent's calm guidance - everyone looks like a natural by now - even Isabel - 6 months pregnant with Brent's nephew.

More nice leasurly portagesd and a chance to chat. Brent - how did you get all the girlies around you!?

We found this camp site with a flintstone style seats around the fire - everyone was very impressed by this luxury!

Not sure what their watching - but the view was fantastic.

Mor portaging (food pack is getting lighter now).

And a break rafted up together on a lake.

Towards the end - Brent relaxed while waiting for the rest of us at the start of the Barron Canyon

Then it started pissing down with rain from the disturbance created by a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico...

...but we were only a one hour paddle to the exit point by then and when we arrived we didn't care if we were wet - we'd just had an amazing trip!

Civilization? Not sure - I liked what you called home Brent - the outdoors.

Brent finally enjoying someone else cooking his dinner. Brent - your food was much better! I miss you so much Bro.