Canoe Trips with the Canoe Gang!

....Are my first summers!!!  I think it's time to mention them a little.

In each of the last 3 summers at home, I've had the pleasure of joining a wonderful group of people for canoe trips: to Lady Evelyn lake in Temagamie, the French River in Georgian Bay, and what lake??? In Algonquin Park.  

How did this come about?  My longtime friend Vadim! We've been talking about paddling together for a long time.  When someone had to bow out of a trip close to last minute, he asked if I was able & willing to join. I love retirement!  Yep!!! I was available!  

Each trip had highs and lows, of course.  Some notable highs....so much skinny dipping!  That memorable moment with Nicki's thigh.  Fresh sushi and cinnamon buns. Animal poo with other smaller animal bits in it. Hundreds of tiny frogs on a portage path!  The incredible scenery!  Especially on the French River trip. 

And of course, making new friends!!  I am so grateful to have been welcomed into their lively, kind, fun circle.    

This last summer, I also went on my first canoe camping trip with Toby, with Miss Mango, the canoe I now share with me friend Melissa.  The waves on Crotch Lake were a bit scary on our way to our campsite.  But the view from from there made every tense minute so worthwhile!  I'm still very glad we left our camp though. Mostly set up, to paddle then drive home and stay warm and dry on that chilly very rainy day! It was fun to get back to our site the next day, all set up, like our very own mini cottage! 

I desire to remember too...I've had lotsa time floating on my beloved Ottawa River. Fixing furniture. And plenty of smaller delightful moments too.

Pictures..

1- The canoe gang, and our flotilla of gear!

2 &3 - The view from our Crotch Lake campsite.  Beautiful!

4- I love the irony of this picture!  The Travelodge included a buffet breakfast.  Nice.  But there was a Goldwing Convention in town, so the seating inside was full.  We ate our breakfast perched on rocks outside.  Practice for days to come!

5&7 The cinnamon buns and sushi.  The sushi was perfect!  The cinnamon buns were super yummy too, just a little singed.

11- I love setting up my tent close to the water.  But Susanna and Vadim sometimes take it to an extreme level!  

12- This was how Christine greeted us on one of the trips, as we gathered at her place for our group departure.  I love this picture!!!

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