One of the many good points about confiscating watches and other i-gadgets from our young participants early in the expedition is that we can have a 5:30 AM wake-up call and they’re not aware of it.
Proof that the expedition’s routine is settling in, Francis and Émile are ready to go at 5:50 AM. In fact, they’re not totally ready but they nevertheless show up in the galley… Also proof that the expedition has used the group’s energy reserves, our young friends are not really motivated to don their isothermal suits (also known as “wet suits” or “ouettesoute”as we say in the 418 area code.Yet, a rare occurrence during this expedition, the sun is shining and calls on us to dip our paddles, which we do.
A relatively short distance separates our campsite from our final destination, Havre-St-Pierre. It takes us a little morethan an hour with another episode of head winds. We finally land in an atmosphere of mixed excitement, relief and nostalgia. There is a round of hugs and embraces, we’re all so proud of our achievements!The manager of the Mingan Archipelago National Park and the head greeter welcome and congratulate us. Even better: alerted of our expedition by the local media, many passers by offer their congratulations, mentioning the courage, determination, and resilience of our young friends. Everyone is so proud! To top it all, the local radio station wants to do an interview; Catherine, Jacob and David are chosen to represent the group.
Then, we gravitate to a building at the center of the village, the one housing a welcome station for the park, the offices of Service Maritime Boréal (thanks again for the free transportation), a small café, and an interpretation center about the islands. Our immediate aim is to change to dry clothes and tour the small museum. There are a number of public computers near the entrance, which in no time flat are all occupied as our young friends log on to Facebook!
We have lunch on a pleasant terrace overlooking the port and are visited once again by Park representatives. They give us all sorts of souvenirs: caps, reusable water bottles, buffs, pins, and guidebooks… Very generous of them… Typical of the residents of the North Shore! Our most sincere thanks to you all!
We leave Havre-St-Pierre and head for the village of Longue-Pointe-de-Minganwhere we’ll set up camp for the night, at the same location we camped on our arrival, a little more than a week ago. After cleaning the group equipment, and hanging it to dry, it is OUR turn to take that oh so comforting hot shower!
We’re the stars of the campsite! The other campers heard about our adventure and offer their congratulations. Some of them come with marshmallows to toast over the fire; others offer their soccer balls, footballs, and baseball gloves… Most of all, we’re overwhelmed by the generosity of Claudine, the owner of Cantine Nat et Marina’s Milk Bar who treats us to a free ice cream treat! As we leave her milk bar, she gives us a large bag of candy and sweets. Years ago, she personally had to fight a Hodgkin’s lymphoma, so she is touched by our Foundation’s Mission. Thank you, Claudine!
Back at the campsite, we congregate around the fire. This evening is really the end of our expedition as tomorrow we’re heading home! The perfect occasion for a discussion circle. Everyone, youngsters and adults alike are invited to select one word to describe the experience they just lived through. Pleasant, vital, friendly, open-mindedness, unforgettable, rich, family, fantastic, learning experience, roller-coaster, different, symbiosis, music, mysterious, a gift, unheard of, sharing.
One more comes to mind: old souls…