While there was some rain during the night, we woke up to a brilliant sunshine on Thursday morning. Following a short night’s sleep, it was good to sleep in until 7:30, even 8 a.m. It was a much-appreciated restful sleep, except for those who had to fight off the biting insects. Apparently this area is froth with these; not only are they plentiful but also diverse: mosquitoes, black flies, no-see-ums, horse flies, deer flies, and other related insatiable beasts who attack us fiercely.
After a healthy eggs and bacon breakfast, we spent some time familiarizing ourselves with the various techniques of canoeing. Julie and Caylin teach us their secrets on efficient portaging and paddling. The most enjoyable part was undoubtedly the forced capsizing exercise; there was much shouting and giggling as we learned how to right our capsized canoes. This is where Adriana lost her glasses. But fear not: Steven and Mario, true gentlemen they are, dove in to search for Adriana’s glasses. After a full half-hour of diving with mask and tuba, Steven found a pair of glasses, but… not Adriana’s!
The afternoon was spent on final packing. With a sigh, a few of our explorers had to leave some of their city-hip pieces of clothing, which would be of no help out here. We also finished packing the expedition foodstuff, some 450 pounds of it, before a long and welcome swim in the warm and shimmering waters of Racine lake, a fishing paradise.
The evening was sharing time. Most of the discussions centered on the group’s objectives. Participants tell us that their main objectives are to complete the planned 140 km trek, to work together to achieve this, to have good communications, to accept that not everyone learns at the same rate, to live in harmony with people and nature, and to be inspired by others. As for their personal objectives, participants are invited to jot them down on paper, sealed in an envelope, and leave them with Catherine and Michel.
As discussions progressed, we learn more about each other: Noémie is crazy about neuropsychology, Roxane is not sure whether she should get a job of continue her Masters, Francis will be a participant in the Canada Games in August and is looking to compete in the wheelchair sprint competitions at the Rio 2016 Paralympics. You should see the shoulders and biceps on the man… I want him as my canoeing partner when we leave tomorrow morning!