got back from mew lake in algonquin yesterday. our site didn't have much privacy but it was right on the lake. a few bunches of baby ducks crashed our party, as well as maybe a vole(?), loons, geese, red squirrels, chipmunks. you couldn't spit without hitting a blue jay. waded in the lake and watched the fish, and one leech. on a hike we saw a largish garter snake and a few more loons. there was a bear in the area, but we didn't see it. we kept our trash squared away.
i don't know that i'd recommend mew lake specifically. it was rather small for the amount of people camped around it, and hwy 60 was at the end of the lake. but, there's so much to do along that stretch you almost don't have time to worry about the downsides. if you ask me, you can't really go wrong in that area. if your neighbours suck (like ours did at one point) go for a hike. or rent a canoe if you don't already have one. outfitters are all over the place. and all the wardens i saw were pretty young ladies, with big smiles. if you're into that kind of thing...
we were in a full on fire ban. so no need for fire prep. i couldn't really justify bringing all the knives. just the bk3, bk5, bk11, bk13, bk15, kabar 1217, spyderco police. food prepped with the 5,11,15. the rest were for just in case / utility.
if you're wondering, i left the axe, hatchets, cold steel shovel, bk9, ontario sp5 and a few shorty kabars and other folders at home. that's how i pack light i guess.
off to mikisew provincial in about a week and a half. woo!