Danielle’s travelling song

Here we go! This morning, after enjoying Johanne’s delicious French toast and following Catherine’s final advice on packing the barrels, we happily headed for our two rabaskas waiting for us on the beach. Once again, we are blessed; the weather is stunning! It’s sunny and warm! Moreover, we’ll be paddling with a tailwind! Could we wish for anything better?

Before embarking on water, Cath gathers us around the Reservoir map and explains today’s route. The plan is to paddle 10 km between several islands. She then assigns places in the rabaskas. She will paddle with Maranatha, Danielle, Nadia, Sophie and Lorie. Mario will paddle with Cindy, Isabelle, Kaitlyn, Andréanne, Vanessa and Michelle. With a tailwind and good weather, it’s shaping up nicely! A loon is even showing up to see us off and wish us a safe trip.

Discussions are already going well among the participants, and very soon we hear some well-known tunes. Mario and Cindy, psychologist and singer in her spare time, accompanied by a few of the participants, brighten up the start with a few refrains.

As we paddle along, the landscape changes. The shore becomes steeper and steeper. Tall pines, cedars and immense hemlocks cling to the rocky banks. We’ve decided to navigate between islands, and it’s magnificent!

Mario and Catherine bring the boats to a halt so we can rest our arms and enjoy a moment of calm. Mario invites us to close our eyes and concentrate on the sounds and sensations of nature. The gentle rocking of the boat, the soft breeze on our skin, the warmth of the ever-present sun and the song of a bird accompany this gentle moment. We then open our eyes to focus on the landscape, colors and light around us. Recapping on this sensory experience, some of us share what caught our eye: the green reflections of the sun in the depths of the water, a beach in the distance, a tall pine tree that stands out, or the reflection of the sun on the surface of the water.

Soothed and refreshed by this brief moment of grace, we plunge our paddles back into the water: off to swimming and dinner! Our three sous-chefs from Café de la pointe await us at the Southern branch of Ile de l’Aigle with soup and sandwiches. Of course, this isn’t a real café, it’s a rocky beach where they have set up a luxury kitchen in the most rudimentary surrounding. There’s a hand-washing station where you can operate a pump with your feet to run hot soapy water. There’s also a waste-sorting station: recycling, compost and trash!

Before tackling the meal, everyone puts on their bathing suits for a swim! The most courageous float in a star shape, while the others take a chillier plunge…

After lunch, we continue our journey between the islands. Danielle’s rabaska girls sing along to an Anishinaabe-Ojibwe song traditionally sung by family members of those embarking on an expedition or on their last great voyage. This song accompanies us all the way to the “Elephant wall”, where we take a brief moment of meditation.

We soon reach our camp on a long sandy peninsula sheltered by immense hemlock tress. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, this 10 km ride was much easier than expected. After a refreshing swim, Catherine and Mario lend a hand to those setting up their tents for the first time. Then, our three sous-chefs amaze us all with their famous beet risotto.

Finally, the evening comes to an end around the fire. Under the Big Dipper and along the call of geese who are also settling on the lake to spend the night, Mario passionately recounts the beginnings of the Foundation and we share our impressions of the day. Vanessa gets the ball rolling with a 10/10 rating for her day. This level of appreciation seems to be shared by all. Some, like Andréanne, are already planning a second trip or more. You never know, maybe her training as a nurse will enable her to take part to future expeditions… It’s almost 10 p.m. and the discussions are still very lively around the fire… It’s as if we’re quietly forgetting the illness to embrace this new experience and connect with each other.

Lorie Ouellet, On the Tip of the Toes Foundation Blogger and volunteer photographer

Translated by Nicolas Sbarrato