Triplogs / Triplog#36 / Days 3&4 / Days 5&6 / Days 7&8 / Day 9 / Days 10&11 / Days 12&13 / Days 14&15 / Days 16&17 / Days 18&19 /Days 20&21 / Day 22
Lake Opeongo(IN) - Merchant L - Big Trout L - Hogan L - Big Crow L- Lake Lavieille - Dickson L - Lake Opeongo(OUT)
Day 22 - Fri. September 29th
Temperature Readings:
1:30am: 5.5°C
8am: 4.1°C
The "Mace of Nails": 5 hit points of damage, -2 damage to armour
It was cool and cloudy(What else was new?), when I got up, with a slight hang-over at 8am. We made breakfast and packed up. While giving the campsite the once over, I found a unique weapon, stuck in a tree. There's no other word for it, 'cause that's what it was. I suppose some paranoid camper made it in their spare time. It was a stick with about a dozen nails driven into it. I called it the "Mace of Nails". Jokingly, capable of 5 hit points of damage. I took a few practise swings with it, and put it back. Not a good thing to leave lying around, rightly or wrongly, I stuck it back into the tree. I can't imagine what would happen if it was left lying around for kids or toddlers to step on it! As we paddled down to the docks, only about a 20 minute paddle, the sun started to break through the clouds, the colour laden hills started to brighten. Minutes later, our soggy trip came to an end.
The kitchen and fire-pit area at our campsite
The landing and beautiful beach at our campsite
Later on, we visited Dave Harman and his family at Mew Lake. While there, I had a chance to paddle his home made solo cedar strip canoe. It felt weird, a little too tippy for me, but I surmise one would get used to it. While we were at Mew, there had been an ongoing power failure, and while talking to Dave and his wife, we saw the craziest thing.
A helicopter was flying below treetop level, back and forth on what appeared to be along highway#60, the helicopter would rise up, turn and swoop down again, flying along the highway. We surmised the helicopter was looking for downed power lines, yet we marvelled at the skill of the pilot. Crazy it was though. We said "Goodbye" to the Harmans, and drove home.
Some fall colours on Sproule Bay
After Thoughts:
Despite all the rain, Joan and I always want to go back to Algonquin. We just can't get enough of the place. We realize that there will always be good trips and some not so good trips. This was a good trip, with a few caveats; We spent too many nights on some lakes. Two or three nights is fine, but 4 or 5? and in less than ideal weather? This was not a good idea. I had selected the route and lengths of stay, to accommodate our relaxed mode of travel, and with the hope of extended wildlife photo-ops. We were carrying loads of gear and wanted to be able to rest up as well ...Perhaps we rested up too much. The almost continuous damp weather played havoc with our day-tripping plans, and our moods.
It was fall, and as such, I tired very hard to forget that fact and ignored the warnings of such fall weather. Call it arrogance or ignorance, call it what you will. The fact that I realize my mistake is half the battle. Paddling out in the middle of Lavieille under questionable conditions was probably one of the riskiest things I had ever done. The wind and waves weren't such that we were in any danger. It was uncomfortable to paddle, and we weren't in danger of tipping. The point is, that conditions could've changed and we could've tipped. I have learned my lesson ...luckily, not to late.
The storm on the 24th that struck our camp, was something new I had never experienced before. The level of vulnerability I felt, was uncomfortable. All we could do was to watch and keep our wits about us. I think I am beginning to realize what it feels like when people describe as 'being helpless against the forces of nature'. I felt helpless then.
We were lucky.
Every time I visit Dickson Lake, I like it more and more. It is a very beautiful Lake. Joan really liked Lavieille and so did I. We also liked the Crow River. We would like to return to the region, perhaps in high summer, when conditions are more favourable.
It rained 16 days out of our 22 day trip. At one point, it rained everyday for 11 days.
Don't get me wrong, I like rain, and Joan doesn't mind it either. But after a while, it gets under your skin, literally.
Not once did we see or hear any logging operations while in The Park for 22 days. That was very refreshing, as in many trips in the past I have encountered logging noise, and it usually upsets me to some degree. Also, the level of trash was not as bad as other trips I've been on. There are still some practises that people insist on doing, that are not conducive to The Park's ecology, but hopefully one day everyone will understand; Trash does not belong in Algonquin Park.
What made the trip extra special was the re-supply at Big Crow Lake. It was such a big surprise and lots of fun to meet so many AA'ers old and new. A special "Thank You" goes out to my friend Racoon..you are a machine sir!
Thanks to everyone for your help and your friendship, you have all made our trip memorable.