Voyageurs 2 2002 - Canoe Trip Journal

From the depths of La Reserve Faunique de La Verendrye, down the Coulonge River, through cold streams in unchartered territory, down the challenging Noire River and even along the Ottawa we paddled. Guys you should be so proud to be Paddlefoot's pioneers-we did what no other group had done before, and will always be remembered for it. We travelled over 250 km, paddled 67 rapids, and lived through over 20 portages. Here are just some of our memories...

Day 1 was a bit of a teaser-we started off with one of the smoothest drop offs imaginable for a canoe trip, with no van break downs, forgotten equipment or massive killer leech attacks. We found a beautiful island paradise on which to camp, had an absolutely delicious meal-grilled cheese a la Chris, and even got in a thorough bonding chat about our pooh. Needless to say I'm pretty sure all went to bed content, and very excited for the next 19 days in the wild. The mood changed slightly over night however, when the adventures really began and the boys got their first introduction to what a canoe trip is really like! And what better way to do that than open up the sky, and create torrential winds plowing into the side of our tent throughout the not-so peaceful sleep it appeared that most of us had. It seems that we did survive the night though-and woke with no more damage than a paranoid Josh and slightly wet Carl. You boys didn't give up though-despite the new questions of 'why on earth did I want to do this?' and I hope you all found the push worth it in the end!

Day 2-also started on a very bright note with another favourite meal of French toast caramelized perfectly by chef Adam. And like the previous day, the river gods had set up some little tests of our endurance and spirit-just to see if we were tough enough to handle the rage of the Coulonge and the Noire to come. We came to think of day two as the "hellish headwind day" when not only were the winds against us, but also the other campers in the park who decided they wanted all our campsites. We can't say that it was all bad though-there can't be any better way to rejuvenate our energy than having a short nap in the sun on our little blueberry island lunch spot. The day did end eventually and we rested our wee little heads next to our first-but actually not last outhouse.

Day 3 was a day full of new discoveries and firsts. We started off with our first portage-(during which you boys wowed us with your strength I might add-so much that we added in a few more before the afternoon was out) Once again our chosen site was taken-but I think that all worked out for the better since we instead moved on to an even better site, with a perfect lake to learn strokes and have a game of sink the swiss. I think we were all pretty amazed that we did make it to that site with enough time to play-since it was that day that we had our first introduction to Josh's pee schedule-and just how small a bladder can possibly be! This was also the day that we were introduced to the famous Mr. Hulk and his banana boat team. And what else will we never forget of that night-none other than that wonderful Alfredo pasta which will live on in our minds-and probably our digestive systems for eternity. The end of the day came a beautiful sunset and an unbelievable display of 'leech fireworks'-I'm really sorry you missed the show Josh- did you have to pee yet again?

Day 4-Another day of firsts-this time with actually running white water. You boys were naturals right off the bat as we flew through the first, extra long set of swifts. We weren't so lucky later on in the day when Adam and Josh decided that getting down a rapid above the water wasn't so much fun any more, so they decided on the rarely popular swim option. We also worked through our first lift-over, just before what was probably the most eventful portage of the entire trip. That's right, this was the portage where last nights dinner decided it had spent enough time in Carl's stomach and it was to come out in one great explosion. I believe we even came to remember day 4 as "the day the sh*t poured". We also all had the pleasure of seeing Sarah's new chaffed walk, as she stomped down the path.
Quote of the day: " wash you pants down stream!!" -(must be said screaming during a mad dash)

Day 5- DUFF DAY! Isn't it wonderful to sleep in! And wake up to pancakes-yes Carl, I'll admit it yours were fluffier. We ran Red Pine, one of the hardest rapids on the coulonge river without a hitch, and got to swim down for some extra waves. With the afternoon came the reappearance 'Hulk' in full force, some poker games in the shade, and a LONG! hike for the tough boys in the group!! You also sat patiently through a hydrology talk, during which we also met Josh's bird! After a fantastic chili dinner we sat down to finish off a perfect day chowing down on marshmallows under an amazing star filled sky. (I'm choosing not to mention the discovery of Carl's shirt-sorry, little too dirty)

Day 6-Back in the boats. it was a pretty short day-we almost lost Chris and Josh to the river when it seemed they might be stuck for good on a nasty rock. We paddled through a whole bunch of rapids and even did two portages before settling down by the falls for the night. We sat around for a knot lesson from Adam after our dinner of 'liquid' lazy p's, and I can't forget to mention the excellent toilet dug by none other than Cameron.

Day 7-It was an interesting morning, especially once we found out that we had spent the night on top of an old grave site for two travelers who had died in the falls near-by. We paddled through some more technical rapids, and aced our way through the lift-over, ferry, line combo falls-one that is famous at Paddlefoot for dumpings. We also stopped along the way for an extra long swim and demonstration of proper throw-bagging techniques!! hey we did improve, and by the end we had the technique down-with much thanks to our energetic and enthusiastic victims who just kept coming down the river! We also lost Cameron's hat that day, and permanently stained Carl's hat with raspberries-sorry boys! You guys still had enough energy at the end of the day for another rescue/rapid swim by our site-are we not working you hard enough? I think we all slept well that night-but not until after a good insult session in the baker-who's mamma?

Day 8- was a long one! (well at least at the time-you boys latter impressed us more with some even longer ones) a whole 35 km to the confluence site. We paddled like maniacs though, and were able to enjoy a floating lunch and a lazy float most of the afternoon. The war of the canoes also began that day( during which we discovered Ian's hidden talent for splashing which he failed to warn us about before hand)-U571 Vs. Red October-who won-I don't think we'll ever know. And did you guys have fun during your first day sterning?! I think you all enjoyed the runaway raft and the chase of those poor souls who had to pee (well at least it was enjoyable when you were in the boat)-and how can we forget Josh's dramatic performance of 'the crawl in the sand', oh and the bum tree! It was a good bathroom day for Josh, who not only had the pleasure of stepping in Sarah's pee, but also digging the toilet for the day! After a yummy-but spicy spaghetti and explosive cake, we sat down to enjoy Adam's long, but very scary story.

Day 9-we ate and ate and ate, oh and then I think we ate some more. Did I mention that it was a duff day! It was also the start of our gift exchange, meaning some arts and crafts, and games for all. It was definitely a day to relax, and that we did so I don't really have anything else to add!

Day 10-the cross over begins! We started the push days to show just how hard core we are! With no idea what lay beyond we kept on going, pushing upstream through the chilling water, over slippery rocks and across muddy bear prints. It was so nice to emerge on the other side to a huge lac Bryson where we could sit down to that wonderful-just kidding-pasta salad, and sail the afternoon away-my apologies to Josh and Cameron, we owe you one for holding in the pee so long! The sail was good for us though, it allowed us to keep our strength for the two unexpected sketchy portages through 'streams'. We also became better acquainted with Chris's hick side, something that made the rough day just a little bit sweeter with laughter. Plus we had that cushy luxurious toilet seat to rest our tired bums on!

Day 11-came with one long portage-and then some! I wonder if we lost anyone or anything in that sticky bog-worse than quick sand! Past the sketchy cabins we went, only for Bri to get leached big time-I swear even I have never seen that many! You guys were troopers though and we made it all the way to the Noire and that beautiful roadside campsite-which had yet another good toilet-lucky boys who got off toilet duty! We also met the landlady and her 6-7 or were there 8 dogs?! And last, but certainly not least Ian demonstrated his strength once again and portaged his first canoe! Good for you!

Day 12- It was a morning full of excitement as we prepped to get back to river life, especially for Carl who had a little jog with the dogs-one way to wake yourself up! We all did excellently on the Wall rapids-despite the tree stumps that joined us down the river. The day got even bigger with rapids as we arrived at TARGIE! (by the way there are great pictures of you guys to check out on the web) The huge wave at the top of this rapid didn't allow Adam or Chris the chance to conquer it, nor did the bottom allow Bri to get by dry and above water! and as for Sarah-aka GG! need I say more! Another fantastic dinner that night-Peanut Pad Thai, and the most delicious brownies ever.
quote of the day " Josh ate 'poo'"-(notice a pattern in the quotes by the way)

Day 13-We didn't have a long way to paddle, but we had our work cut our for us with the portage from hell around Mountain Chutes. We flew through it though, with a very smooth decent down the rock cliff, and some great paddling through the C2s and swifts to our next side at Rapid de L'Islet. We were lucky that night to sit down to a wonderful dinner-cooked by the boys! I know you loved watching us wash the pots afterwards!

Day 14-Before we even got on the water (but after another portage)today we lost a paddle-nice. But no worries we soon found it-or was it the same one?...We had to paddle a long 40 Km to our site, but we had some great stops along the way to make it easy. Josh mastered the J-stroke as we cruised by the other paddlefoot soloers, and we got to stop for some jumping action off the diving board and Tarzan rope! I'm so proud of all of you-Carl and Adam, you two got over the fear and I don't think you'll ever regret it. And Ian-such a superstar jumped so much he got a nose bleed! It was pretty sad that we had to leave so soon from there-but I think it was all worth it to have some pepper in our pasta salad on the beach-despite the nasty bugs. Oh and I guess I should mention the G-string group with their solid kayak.

Day 15-DUFF Day numero 3! (we're not lazy I swear) We had our first bear sighting-wish you all could have been there. Josh and Carl show the rest of us how to dump as you all paddled a C3!!! Ian gets a lesson in how not to play poker as he loses all his 'money'! and Josh shows off his excellent baseball skills (3 for 15 nice record!) And Merry Christmas to one and all-although we didn't get a big dinner-in fact I don't think we ate at all-woops. Oh and this time we had a giant toilet dug by Carl-thanks!

Day 16-yet another loooooong day! We paddled a 50 Km today, and were ready for more when the possibility of eating poutine for dinner was mentioned. We even had time for some great rapids and huge water fights before we were reintroduced to civilization. I'll forever remember that BUGGY site-I promise to bring all my future trips there - just for the experience. And to initiate them into our 'cult' by making them run around in circles until their pasta is cooked - I think we all went a little crazy that day. We had a smashing time in the baker over dinner and a great night sleep.

Day 17-early, early morning-and we didn't even mean to-and the most important part of the day D and T's for dinner! I know you guys were really excited for that so I mentioned it first-now we'll go back in time a bit. Anyone up for some black, crispy muffins and a ton of mosquitoes on the side. All this combined made for the fastest morning that paddlefoot has ever seen, or even thought was possible. We had to slow down the lightning speed pace- and what better way to do it than some "who am I?" games. And I swear I knew exactly where we were going the entire time during our paddle down the Ottawa River! We had a great arrival at Esprit-although I noticed that you didn't live up to your promise to moon the crowd! How great was it to have clean bodies again- and an afternoon to relax and celebrate, because it was a very special day. Happy Birthday Josh! I hope you had a great one!

Day 18- RAFTING! We were definitely the goofiest bunch!

Day 19- Who's up for a little river boarding before the long (and hopefully somewhat sad) ride home.

I want to thank you guys for a great trip! And I sincerely hope that someday we'll all have a chance to do it again. You guys were great trippers and I hope you enjoyed it enough to get out paddling again-there are tons of new rivers and adventures out there for you to enjoy. Good luck with whatever life brings you
Happy Trails

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