Exploring Lake Superior - At Last

30 September, 2017 4 comments Leave a comment

Rossport Islands in Lake Superior

Over the years, our travels on the trans-Canada highway have taken us past the north shore of Lake Superior countless times. We always seemed to be in a hurry to get out to the western provinces to visit family, or to return to our home in central Ontario. We never took the time to stay in this wild and beautiful region of northern Ontario.

This summer, we finally planned a two-week camping trip to explore Rossport and Wawa on Lake Superior. The Lake Superior view above is from Nicol Island at Rossport.

Karen Richardson kayaking on Brownlee Lake, east of Lake Superior, Ontario

On the way there, we enjoyed several days in a private campground on Brownlee Lake (east of Lake Superior), which we were able to explore fully by kayak. That's me in the photo above.

Waterlily leaves and reflections on Brownlee Lake, Ontario

Water Lily on Brownlee Lake, Ontario

The leaves of the waterlily plants had started to change colour when we were there in August. These photos will make great painting subjects.

Mushroom on the shore of Brownlee Lake, Ontario

As we explored the perimeter of Brownlee Lake, we found many colourful mushrooms had recently emerged. This one reminds me of a fairy toadstool.

Karen Richardson in Rainbow Falls Provincial Park

High Falls, near Wawa, Ontario

Our hikes in the region took us to many scenic waterfalls. I am pictured above in Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, east of Rossport. The second photo is High Falls, which is accessible via a commercial wild blueberry farm near Wawa.

Rock point, Rainbow Falls Provincial Park at Rossport.

The most scenic part of our holiday was spent at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park (Rossport), which has a campground right beside the beach. The park's rocky point pictured above is the subject of a sold-out watercolour workshop I am teaching in my Lindsay studio this fall.

Rossport Coastal Trail, Lake Superior

The view above is from the Rossport Coastal Trail on Lake Superior. The water is very cold and clear, so you can see the colourful stones on the lake bed. I am working on a stunning new painting, inspired by this scene.

Karen Richardson's travelling and camping rig

The photo above shows our truck, trailer, kayaks, and dining tent set up in Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, just steps from Lake Superior. This park provides water and electrical hookups. We have a furnace, air conditioner, hot water heater, fridge, stove, oven, three-piece bathroom, and a queen-sized bed. All the comforts of home. That's why people often call the RV lifestyle 'glamping', short for glamorous camping. (What, you pictured me in a tent, sleeping on the ground? Those years are long gone!)

Waves and Sand Beach, Lake Superior

Lake Superior is the largest body of fresh water on earth, with a surface area of over 82,000 square km, and over 4,000 km of shoreline. One beach we visited near Wawa had lovely white sand, clear aquamarine water, and surf (shown above), just like in the Caribbean.

Colourful stones on a Lake Superior Beach

The beach at Rainbow Falls park was mostly smooth stones and pebbles, like the ones pictured above. I took over 100 'incredible pebble' photos. The colours and patterns within the stones are remarkably beautiful and varied.

 Sunset and moonrise, Lake Superior

All too soon, it was time to head home. The photo above shows the moon at sunset over Lake Superior, with a solitary person out for a stroll. The headlands in the distance are the Rossport Islands.

My usual habit, after we get home from a trip, is to print just the photos I think I will use for future painting references. After our Lake Superior trip, I printed almost 400 photos! I'll be very busy this winter making 'Superior art'.

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  1. Petra Armstrong October 03, 2017

    Lake Superior is amazing, we camped at Rossport years ago and I look forward to going back. Love your pictures and look forward to seeing your paintings!

  2. Peggy Hunter October 02, 2017

    Love that part of Lake Superior.
    So glad you got a chance to immerse yourself and enjoy it. Look forward to your paintings. Peggy

  3. Carol Bulmer October 02, 2017

    Lots of inspiration for you in these beautiful photos?

  4. Laurel Gonneau October 02, 2017

    Wow….just amazing…thanks for sharing Karen…you work is beautiful!