The relentless extensions of Ontario's stay-at-home order placed a dour burden on 2021 so far. Thankfully winter finally decided to skedaddle, making way for summer sports.
A week after my January camping trip, the Ontario government opted to push the province back into total lockdown again. Ontario was already in a strict lockdown. It had been since the summer, but this latest lockdown tightened things down completely. In my case, a halt on all backcountry camping was going to be an anchor on my soul. I had planned several winter trips, all of which had to be canceled. Instead of a winter of camping and skiing, my daily activity became long walks within my "regional health unit."
Even though the stay-at-home order is still in effect, spring weather has been a relief. Being in open water facing an endless horizon is a joyful surge after months of being stuck inside. For me, that relief means getting out into Lake Ontario. I'd certainly much rather be paddling to a campsite in the backcountry, but the waters of a great lake certainly a formidable alternative.
One of the great things about a massive body of water is that no two days are the same. On Monday, it may be smooth as glass, while on Tuesday, a pinch of wind is pushing a swell of steep waves. On Wednesday, the wind may have shifted direction and velocity to be blasting small bouncy waves against the current only to change again by Thursday, swelling the water with large but shallow waves. Lake Ontario can be moody, it can be delightful, it can be chipper. The only guarantee is that your paddling experience will never feel repetitive or boring.
Lake Ontario has been my escape from lockdown. Even though I am still not venturing far from home, the open water feels freeing, and I gobble up every second of it.
