Droplets patter on the roof of the tent, small splashes that bounce on the lake… We wake up this morning to a gentle rain. It’s warm, but it’s wet!
A cinnamon roll for Kayla
The fire smolders. Water heats up. Lysianne and Kayla sit under a small canopy. Before heading deeper into the woods for the next few days, the expedition leaders had to make the decision to evacuate Kayla to a hospital, as a precaution.
The group is gathered on the beach when the news is shared. Kayla struggles to hold back tears at having to leave the adventure for an undetermined time, and many of us do too. We strongly hope she’ll rejoin us within 48 hours. Mario orders her to bring back some chocolate; Vincent jokes, “I can’t wait to see those awesome pants again!” – see photos 😉 – and Alice suggests it’s a good time to start the High and Low. Everyone agrees, and Kayla opens the surprise package: treats. Immediately, Charles suggests making a mixed ziplock to accompany Kayla on her day. Two fun games lighten the mood a bit, and we all gather around Kayla in a tight, warm, and supportive cinnamon roll, initiated by Jessica.
Hippo, Mario, Eve-Marie, and Lysianne accompany her by canoe to the evacuation point where Anne-Sophie, our guardian angel, waits for her by car.
As for us, 11 km await!
With the wind at our backs, we move at a good pace. To fully enjoy nature, take a break from conversation, or retreat into our own thoughts, the group paddles in silence for a while. The calm, the rhythm of the paddles, a slight rocking of the canoe, the mind free and serene in the present moment, facing the wild nature of La Vérendrye
Beaver dam crossings
Single file, the canoes make their way to a step in a narrowing of the water. A quick burst of paddling, and Jessica, her feet in the water, lifts our boats one by one. An easy passage! Congratulations to all on their maneuvers!
Picnic lunch around a birch bark fire… Thanks to Vincent and Jérémie. Our feet are drying and the mushroom velouté stays hot. A nice hot chocolate gets us going! On the beach, Rania, Paul and Jhelisa practice light casting. In Mario’s absence, it’s Charles who’s giving them a fishing lesson today. He’s been renamed “Baby Mario” for the time being.
The afternoon scenery is magnificent. A serpentine of canoes in tall grasses three shades of green. From our canoe, we can just make out the colourful little heads floating above a field that’s half vegetation, half water. Jesse, the pilot of our boat, treats me like a princess, and responds to all my photographic whims: “Can you stop us here? To the right, please! Watch out, I’m getting up!” And even as I sip coffee (thank you, Cath) with my feet crossed on the tip of the boat, Jesse paddles along, directing my attention to the beautiful views to be photographed. Jesse is a gem, as generous as she is caring!
A second dam to cross, also very well done. This time we have to aim just right to reach the narrow opening in the tangle of branches. And it’s Jérémie’s turn, with his feet in the water, to adjust the lines and help our canoes over the obstacle. Everyone did a great job, high fives!
Rainy dinner, happy dinner
Arriving at the campsite – a beautiful beach and nice spots for a change! – We’re met by Lysianne, Hyppolyte and Mario, who have been paddling to find us. Everyone hurries off to dry their clothes and tents. A wasted effort, it starts raining again at dinner time. I run out to put a flysheet back on my tent with the help of Coralie, tonight’s apprentice log splitter!
By the way, a big thank you also to sweet Marylou, who discreetly assists the logistics team every day; and tonight, keeps an eye on the magic stove (whose ingenious operation only Hyppo can explain). Throughout the camp, Marylou distributes herbal teas and smiles, bandages boo-boos and the like, lavishes care and advice on all who need it. And I’m sure I’ve only seen a tiny fraction of what she’s been up to all this time!
It’s under the famous yellow tent with two paddles as a central pole, that we gulp down our spaghetti with meat sauce or pesto sauce, with bannock to boot. The rain picks up and Paul declares: “I don’t want to go home!” but what he really means is “I don’t want to go back to my tent!”
A meeting at the summit
Halfway through the trip, the Foundation team calls a meeting to allow participants to share their experiences. While the young people expressed their gratitude and satisfaction, Catherine spoke – almost shouting because of the rain – about an adventurous climb to the summit. That’s why she reminds us that, on the way down, we must take every opportunity to make the most of the expedition and achieve the individual goals expressed on the first evening.
Mario, the wise man with the tender, sparkling eyes, especially admires the fact that the group is tight-knit, respectful of each other, and that they have a lot of fun with each other and with the whole team.
And a battle of thanks ensues, along with recommendations on how much tension is needed on the tent roof to avoid flooding. Everyone confidently heads off to bed for a well-deserved rest.
Fabienne Macé, On the Tip of the Toes Foundation Blogger and volunteer photographer
Translated by Lorraine Gagnon
In pictures
