Scott's Journal Rideau 2003

Rideau 2003,

August 9 to 16, 2003

Crew - Jean, Pat, Ray, Rich, Scott, and Terry

(Journal Recorded by Scott)

5:10PM Sunday, August 10.
We paddled off this morning under cloudy skies and intermittent sprinkles. We were photographed extensively by Bernard, a French Canadian photo-journalist we met last night at the Newboro Lock Station. When else have we had our photo taken with all of us in our canoes? We are continuing our journey from where we left off two years ago, wandering the margins of the lakes on a trip where the destination is unimportant and the journey is everything.

We are camped this evening in a small inlet on Upper Rideau Lake. We have a great view, a summer home 200 yards away with laughing, swimming teenagers and sunshine. After 10 days at home of clouds and rain this is such a pleasant change. We experienced a tremendous downpour yesterday evening but that seems to have been it.

The dynamics are as usual with everyone knowing everything, competition rampant, criticism freely offered, everyone a target, and no one taking any of it seriously, especially about themselves. As I write I can hear loud, intense discussion just to set up a tent, comments about the abundance of earwigs still in the tent rigging from last night, etc. We can make anything controversial. Rich is busy cooking supper, a chicken and mushroom mix over boiled baby potatoes with fresh beets. The appetizers were carrot sticks and French onion dip. This sounds more like a gourmet restaurant than a camping trip. The last Guinness was polished off and the wine has been opened. Camping paradise 2003 has begun.

We are especially fortunate to have Rich and Pat along as that means Terry isn't the only (or even primary) "target" Terry has just challenged the idea that he was ever the only target as Ray needs more than one target just to sustain himself psychologically. And so the game goes on.

6:10PM Monday, August 11.
We are at the Narrows Lock Station, having arrived here about 1PM after an early morning departure at 9AM. We relaxed and ate lunch at a real table under a shade tree. Since good campsites are at a premium on the Rideau, Terry convinced us to stay here. Jean, Rich, Ray, and I paddled off into the next lake (Big Rideau) and explored Hudson Bay. There were a million great blue herons, a woodchuck, and some kingfishers in addition to ducks and six whistling swans. As we paddled back to camp some clouds threatened us but blew on by without incident.

There is a very large group of kayakers camping here this evening, "Kayaking for Cancer". We just negotiated with them for six cold beers. Even better is the ambiance they add to the site because of the fascinating mix of characters that they are.

Ray is just completing his famous spaghetti dinner. Last night's dinner by Rich set the bar pretty high for all of the succeeding cooks. He is a hard act to follow.

5:50PM Tuesday, August 12
We are ensconced on a long, sloping lawn, seated at a picnic table on Col. Bys (Long) Island. Above us is a former grand summer home, now the property of the Canadian government. Ray is enjoying a Guinness, purchased across Big Rideau Lake in Portland where we were given directions to this beautiful camping area. It has a number of tables, large docks, restrooms, and almost no one else here. There are six large boats moored but little sign of life except for some young kids swimming a long ways away.

Richie's reputation has reached a new low and he has dragged Pat down with him. Part way over here he and Pat were overtaken by Donna Mae and her husband Emmett, a couple who gave us directions in Portland. They gave Richie and Pat a RIDE here in their monstrous powerboat and towed Pat's canoe. This action merits years of harassment which we will be all to happy to supply. To make it worse Rich even threw a beer can in the lake trying to toss it into Ray's and Terry's canoe. Can you imagine a boy scout silver beaver who litters?

Terry is chef tonight preparing his renowned beef stroganoff, another great meal to refresh our bodies and souls. He is wearing a new apron, a monogrammed Rideau camping motif apron that Laurie created for each one of us. She has outdone herself.

Ray is reading and chuckling over Death Rat, a humorous novel. Richie and Pat are hauling water, a mere beginning of their penance. We are all washed, clean, and dry. The sky is strikingly blue, the clouds white and harmless, the temperature moderate, the air dry, and the breeze refreshing. Of course the breeze seemed like a wind when we paddled off directly into it this afternoon to cross the open lake. The force slopped waves into our canoes and bounced the bow paddler up and down, so much so that the bow keel came out of the water a couple of feet back. Paddling was real work for a little while until we were able to turn and run sideways to the wind as we explored the shoreline.

So much for those harmless clouds! We just heard thunder. Action time.

4:47PM Wednesday, August 13.
Here we are back at Col. Bys Island campground. We rose early this morning, struggled through sticking pancakes (Scott, Ray, and Jean trying to solve the problem), hiked the island's nature trail, and paddled off up the lake. Each time someone has asked us where we are going Rich has replied "Friday". Today was a perfect example as we had a good day, paddled a long ways, "smelled a lot of roses", and ended up here again. That is also a sign of the shortage of campsites. It was difficult to even find a lunch site.

Richie is playing with his tiny LED light. Yesterday it wouldn't go out, maybe because he went swimming with it?! Today it won't go on, maybe because he went swimming with it again???? Too bad Richie is so technically illiterate. Some formal electronics education or job experience might help him.

The day is beautiful, we have cleaned up again, and there were even four beers left in the cooler to share. We all agree that this is living. Jean is preparing supper of hot sausage as I write.

We articulated a set of principles or rules today for the trip. Rules are:

Bring Rich on all trips.
Rich is to blame for everything.
Rich is always wrong.
If you think you might be to blame, see rule no. 2.
If you have broken or lost or forgotten something don't worry, Rich will have a spare.
If you are worried that your pack is too heavy just check Rich's and you will feel better.

Thankfully Rich has a good sense of humor and is tolerant of younger cousins who abuse him so.

Evening, Thursday, August 14.
Today we are camped at Murphy's Point Provincial Campground, still on Big Rideau Lake. We continue to explore shore, inlets, and bays from very close up, often maneuvering around docks as we paddle along. The hot weather is easy to take with our relaxed pace and frequent dips in the lake.

We had a close brush with poison ivy when we first landed here, but no one seems the worse for it. We did have to scrub off all gear that even came close. Now we stick to the dock area and watch more carefully.

Since we arrived here early we ate lunch then paddled off in empty canoes to explore this large peninsula. This is the second time we have followed this pattern as so much of the good land is inhabited privately owned lakefront making it difficult to find campsites. We even had time today to take a hike around the park before supper.

Once more we met Donna Mae and Emmett on their powerboat. They reiterated their invitation to camp on their lawn at Wheelhouse, their home on the lake. We will look for it tomorrow as we approach Rideau Ferry at the northeast end of the lake.

Tonight we dined on Pat's spicy New Orleans rice and chicken. Variety has marked our cuisine. Of course I have baked the daily cake for dessert. We will all gain weight.

Friday, August 15.
We made it to Donna Mae's and Emmett's estate today where they are treating us like old friends or visiting royalty. Their children, Tom and Victoria, have entertained us with a rabbit show starring "Bugs" and "Crystal", their pet bunnies. They too (Tom and Victoria, not the rabbits) are going to sleep out in a tent tonight with their dad.

Emmett graciously gave Ray and me a ride to Smiths Falls campground where Pat's van was parked. We included a beer pick-up on our trip back to Newboro where the other car was parked. We also learned more details about the big northeast power blackout of 03. Our independence from modern civilization shielded us from even knowing about the blackout. Obviously we did not feel its effects.

We have reservations at a local restaurant for supper, an invitation to Tom's and Victoria's marshmallow roast, and plans to be up and on the road very early to avoid the crowds at the border. What a pleasant way to end a memorable trip!