PADDLER 55
There is something about travelling in the wilderness by canoe ; that ’ s pure magic . Over the years , I ’ ve learned a lot and had the opportunity to help many folks become more proficient in their wilderness and paddling skills .
ARE YOU SURE ?
That ’ s a question I often ask myself , but in this case , it was being asked by the person behind the permit counter on Canoe Lake in Algonquin Park . Under the circumstances , I didn ’ t blame him .
It was late September , and on a whim , I decided I wanted to spend the weekend in the park with my oldest son Kyle , who was five years old at the time . When I got all my gear loaded into the car and drove the three hours to where I was now standing , it was almost dusk .
The guy behind the counter said I ’ d probably be paddling in the dark before I could get to a campsite , and he seemed reluctant to issue the permit . They get a lot of novice paddlers in the park , so I understood his concern , but I gave him a quick overview of my paddling resume , and he shrugged his shoulders and then issued the permit .
The permit office was closing up as I loaded my gear into the canoe on the shore just past the office . Behind me , I could feel his eyes watching , second-guessing if he ’ d done the right thing by issuing the permit to me . Once I pushed the canoe into water deep enough to use my paddle , I did a quick pivot , smiled and waved to the counter person , who returned the same to me , and I was on my way . I ’ m pretty sure he felt some relief watching me paddle with precise control and excellent speed .
By the time Kyle and I got to the portage at the end of Canoe Lake , it was indeed dark , but one of the reasons I decided to do this trip was that there would be a full moon , which was coming up over the horizon . I didn ’ t need my flashlight to gather gear or cross the portage . That portage is often busy during the daytime , but it was devoid of any signs of life and quiet now . Kyle was a trooper on the portage ; he shouldered his pack and held my hand as we did the first load with the gear . I had him sit on one of the packs as I returned for the canoe .
As it got darker , the moist air from the daytime sun was being cooled by the dropping temperature of evening . When I put my canoe in the water at the end of the portage , a slight mist clung just above the water . Adding to that magic was the haunting call of a loon in the distance , serenading my passage as I quietly paddled through the mist .
PADDLER 55