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We sometimes had to be wary of the moody skies , but the many sandy beaches made it easy to find shelter . The forest was inhabited by birds numbering in the thousands , and their harmonious song accompanied us day and night . Without fanfare , driven by the ebbing tide , we reached the sea . There could be no more heavenly place to celebrate the end of our adventure .
THE ALLIER RIVER
At Langeac , we climbed back into our canoe and explored some 300 km of the magnificent Allier River . On our second day on this river , at the end of the day , lightning ripped the sky , thunder rumbled , and dark clouds advanced towards us to the rhythm of our paddle strokes . Then , in the evening , the clouds emptied , the rain poured down , and the drumming on the tent soothed us .
The temperature dropped drastically ; the air was frigid and damp . I boiled myself some water , and the warmth was comforting . I quickly swallowed my Peak Refuel freeze-dried meal before gently stretching out in my still-dry sleeping bag . Finally , the following day , the sun rose in the east behind the still-sleeping peaks and shone on the scenery masked by all that darkness the day before . As the wildlife slowly awoke , our canoe cut through the mirrored waters to the gentle melody of our paddle strokes .
THE LOIRE RIVER
We ended our adventure by canoeing the mythical Loire River , also known as the Royal River , for almost 540 km , with the benefit of the current pushing us to the Atlantic Ocean . The stone bridges , castles and medieval villages were spectacular , majestic works of art that were impossible to tire of . The Loire ’ s sumptuous castles are emblematic of the region ’ s renown and represent part of France ’ s history . The imposing ancient fortresses surrounded by prestigious gardens delight all who visit . We could also admire the traditional boats , tours , fûtreaux and gables that graced our long 75 km days on the water .
POST EXPEDITION BLUES
After a few days of rest , abundance and daily abuse of the finest wines , pastis , world-famous cheeses and delicious charcuterie , I returned to Canada , and Joris returned home to Orléans ( France ). The return home will give way to a lengthy recovery period . A considerable exercise in readjusting to a more routine life awaits me , while my thoughts will always be tinged with those memorable weeks spent on the old continent .
Discovering a country and its people through its waterways is full of romance . I planned and dreamed about this expedition for over 12 months , during which time I dwelt on the outline of the project that was so close to my heart . Without my teammate Joris , my sponsors , the ‘ River Angels ’, and the support of my family , this dream adventure would not have been possible . Too few people allow themselves to go on an adventure . But those who do know how beneficial the experience can be .
THE SOOTHING POWER OF NATURE
Canoeing has become a way of life that allows the expression of my traditions , identity , and values and , above all , an opportunity to contribute to protecting the natural heritage . The experience of being connected to the natural world is how I found to face my fears , heal , and feel more alive than ever . Developing a unique relationship with nature is beneficial for everyone , including me . It has the power of feeding my mind with positive energy , which changes me for the better . It allows me to find profound satisfaction in my life process .
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