This bucket is half full ...

I know, the "Bucket List" is all about the things you want to do and the places you want to go before you "kick the bucket" but what do you call it when you partially complete something on the list?

This past weekend I attended The Creative Landscape - Fall 2012 photography workshop lead by Doug Wilson. Part of my reason for wanting taking this workshop was to return to the La Cloche Mountain area in fall and photograph more of it's beauty. An unexpected  windfall was learning, after signing up, that part of the workshop would include a visit to Grace Lake. Members of the Group of Seven found inspiration on its shores and surrounding peaks and while planning last year's fall trip to Killarney Provincial Park, Grace Lake was added to my list of must visit locations. In particular I wanted to visit Carmichael Rock were Franklin Carmichael sat and painted the surrounding landscape.

Amongst our workshop group there was some question as to the exact location of Carmichael's vantage point and once we arrived at Grace Lake it became apparent that this would not be the day I experienced the iconic view. More planning and time dedicated solely to the pursuit of this would be required. However, our guide for this outing, Mark Murton of Charlton Lake Camp, and Lynda, Doug's wife who had accompanied him on the workshop, both took time while the rest of us were busy photographing, to scale an adjacent ridge overlooking the lake. When I heard this I decided to do it myself, but by this time I had only 40 min to get up and back down before our planned departure which would not leave much time to enjoy the view from the top.

I set out at a brisk pace through the low bush and was quickly greeted by the sharp incline at the base of the white La Cloche quartzite ridge. After a while of climbing I was on the first exposed outcrop and paused to catch my breath and enjoy the view. Standing there in the quiet and gentle wind I heard th-thump, th-thump, th-thump, th-thump and realized that it was the sound of my own heart ... exertion or exhilaration, likely both, had it pumping strongly.

The final climb to the top required a fair bit of picking my way and switching back across the fractured rock surface until I was there ... and what a view !

A View of Grace Lake

The peak off to the right in the photo is where Carmichael Rock is located. 

Is it any wonder this landscape has inspired so many over the years? This view, although not from Carmichael Rock, is a view of Grace Lake, my view.

... and as far as my "bucket list" goes, this bucket is half full.

DJE