Training Log Archive: OutdoorsMama

Thanks to Jim and Sue Waddington and a confirmation from the lodge owner, we clambered up to "the" rock where Frank Carmichael was photographed, sketching the east end of Grace Lake.
Absolutely the highlight of the trip.
The rehydrated pasta salad we ate up there was pretty good too.

I put a rock in the bow (stern) of the canoe, sat backwards in the bow seat, and had a delightful solo paddle around the perimeter of Grace Lake. Lots of loon watching, rock gazing and picture taking.....so a very slow paddle.
But the canoe was very nice to handle, even for this rookie paddler.

C • Ballast 2

C • Duplicate 1

Paddled from Widgawa Lodge to the eastern end of Cranberry Bay.....single blade paddles all the way. Souris River Quetico canoe...16 footer. What a delight to paddle! An annoying number of power boats in last kilometer or so, but there are a couple private cabins up that way. Very delightful paddle.
After portaging to Grace Lake, the middle campsite that the lodge owner had recommended to us (as did the 2 women we met on the portage) turned out to be occupied, so we took the most easterly one. It was terrific!
After supper, we did a short tour of the east end of the lake.

First portage.....Cranberry Bay to Grace Lake. Net uphill.
a) carrying the canoe isn't as bad as I had feared. All winter, I had it in my head it was a 30'something pound canoe. It is 42 lbs. Then I lashed our paddles inside. But it was still OK.
b) I could carry my pack and the food barrel pack at the same time.
c) Lynda decided that she would divide her pack in half for the next portage and make 2 trips, rather than one very, very slow one.
d) jogging back along the portage trail for the next set of gear is a pleasure.

Along the campground road at Pancake Bay Provincial Park....and a bit up into the trail. I should have allowed more time to do that loop.

I am trying to squeeze a lot of living into about 3 weeks.....plus the craziness of wheat harvest.
I will get caught up on posting my activities eventually.

After packing a tiny bar bag for bike packing trips, packing a portage pack for a canoe trip seems quite easy.

Then I realized I forgot the GORP!

Group riding is about the group.....so we rode mostly on quiet paved township roads. And a wee bit of railtrail.

Working from home day....so I went for a jog before sitting down to the computer for the day.