THANK YOU RAINY RIVER and EMO

Great receptions in Rainy River Wednesday and Emo Thursday. A good turnout, delicious feasts, and 5:30 am breakfasts in both towns. A serious electrical storm interfered with todays paddle to Fort Frances.
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CALM BEFORE STORM

Eloise, Ross, Robbie, and Eric spent night in bug filled night followed by an electrical storm which circled us several times. On historical voyageur campsite

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VOYAGEUR CAMP SITE - LAKE OF THE WOODS

An 11 hour 74 km paddle. Excellent weather and water conditions. Ticks and mosquitoes made camping challenging. An over night thunderstorm made the night under tbe Mantis tarp interesting

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THANK YOU KENORA

An all too short and activity packed day at this lovely NW Ontario town
A great reception, Church, David Thompson Museum exhibit, visiting freiends, and BBQ hosted by Dianne (Janice's Mom) and Bill
We hit the water in 90 minutes
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CAMPSITE FIDDLE MUSIC LIVE

After the great dinner at the High School, thanks Pinawa, the requisite crew meeting, PC1 hosted a traditional fiddle and spoon reel and jig dance. Even the mosquitos joined in, and the two bottles of Port warmed our insides even further. No bears visited us during the night as anticipated. A 7:30 am start to Point Du Bois
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UPSTREAM ON WINNIPEG RIVER

Sara, David and Robbie catch a rare break on our relentless upstream on the Winnipeg River. Many opposing rapids required brief portages, lift overs, and or lining. The overnight camp at Boundary Island went well except that not all the planned food made it. A fair trade was negotiated: a pot of coffee for a pot of hot cereal with the works. Pistol Lake camp was a welcome sight Friday evening after thev two day 104 km upstream paddle. Len rejoined us this morning.
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UNEXPECTED RECEPTION - POINT DU BOIS

A tough paddle / portages to Point Du Bois. A good team effort got us through. The hamlet of Point Du Bois, who were not even expecting us, mowed the lawn in the centre of their community to provide a good camping spot, provided kybos (johnny on the spots), and a great soup - sandwich - desert buffet, with lots of cold drinks. A street / lawn party followed as shown herein.
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WARM RECEPTION PINAWA

Several classes of school children and many residents welcomed the brigade to Pinawa. We caught our first glimpse of tbe Canadian shield today, and heard and saw our first loons in some time. We also saw numerous deer frequenting the lawns of Pinawa. We are ready for a bear to pass through camp tonight. Thanks for the warm welcome and dinner Pinawa:!
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DEPARTING LAC DU BONNET

Thanks to Lac Du Bonnet for their warmth and great hospitality. And to the Pioneer Seniors Center for the great breatfast (OJ, coffee, pancakes, sausages) which we were served. Well done! A late start 8:00 am and easy (28 km) paddle to Pinawa.
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DAY OFF / GPS - PADDLING CLINIC

A day to dry out, do laundry, recharge, a few clinics, and finally strengthen the trailer. The photo shows a paddling clinic in progress
Tomorrow on to Pinawa!
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FAREWELL ED HOWELL

Ed departed PC1 today after being with us since Rocky Mountain House! A cargo van was leased to replace Ed's 4x4 pick up. We will miss you both Ed! Keep in touch!
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ARRIVAL LAC DU BONNET

About 40 km upstream against some pretty strong currents. Some canoes took several attempts to assend the next rise. Some crews were recalled at Great Falls and were trailered to McArthur Falls. The figure 8 arrival formation and race to shore went very well. The Mayor accompanied on our parade to the campsite. A great roast beef dinner and entertainment followed.
Thank you Lac du Bonnet!
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PADDLING 3rd LARGEST CANADIAN FRESH WATER LAKE

Seemed like an ocean at times. Fortunately gentle swells and following winds made it easier. Nothing but water on three sides
Cheers
Eric
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GRAND FALLS

Eric waiting for PC1 at Grand Falls. The crew took the portage with mechanical help, put in, and then were sent back due to too strong current upstream. Eric retrieved the canoe trailer from Lac Du Bonnett, about 30 km south, moved the canoes (PC1 and PC2) to MacArthur Falls, then returned to base camp in Lac Du Bonnett. PC1's canoe is at Wave Track Ltd in Winnipeg with Gary Brabant having a new keel installed. Thanks Gary!
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GREETINGS FROM PC2

From Grand Beach

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60 km Grand Beach - St Georges

Sleep to 6am, omlets by Janice, on water by 7:30. Negotiated way out of lagoon. 3 1/2 hour paddle to Patricia Beach. Gentle following swells and wind. Pelicans and sand bars. Cool rain during second leg. Ground crew off to Selkirk for cargo van to replace Ed Howells truck. Ed leaves us tomorrow.
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BREEZY POINT CREW CHANGE

Thunder storm overnight, amazing sunset / storm clouds. Up 04:30 am; porridge - yogurt - coffee - juice. On water 6:0am. Crew change at 8:20 am, about 30 km into the 79 km planned for the day. Tonight Grand Beach.
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YORK BOAT LOWER FORT GARY

The inch of rain occurred over night. Cam White of Paddle Manitoba arranged for a Tim Horton's truck with coffee - hot chocolate and cookies at 7am right beside PC1 . PC1 had a lovely sunny but cool 34 km paddle to Lower Fort Gary, including passing through a set of locks. We enjoyed exploring this fine example of a stone fort
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PADDLE CANADA 1 CREW PHOTO

Left to right: Sara Finlay, Eric Williams, Tonya Shalay, David Bates, Elouise MacDonald, Ross MacDonald, Robbie Bates, Boudi Van Oldenborgh, Janice Dicks, Jay Bailey, Richard Griffith, Len Miller, Ed Howell, Bill Bishopp
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OLD and the NEW

Jay Bailey's accommodation fore ground, the rest of us aft. Jay has provided a glimpse of the past for us all since his arrival..
A sad day for PC1 today as Boudi Van Oldenborg and Bill Bishopp depart the team today and return to their normal lives.
Yesterday was the half way mark of our trip!
A few arrivals and participation in voyageur games and dancing the agenda for today
Janice's omlets provided a great start to the day.
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FORT GIBERATER - WINNIPEG

Up at 5:30 am, depart camp by 7am, on water by 8am, crew change at 11:30am, arrive Fort Giberalter in Winnipeg. Portaged one of our canoes about 100 m today. Boudi and Bill depart our team tomorrow. A sunny cool paddling day. Lunar sextant shot. Alls well

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SOGGY, MUDDY - STILL PADDL'N

Dispite mud to our ankles, persisting rain, and being drenched, PC1 persisted and achieved the planned 51 km for the day on the meandering Assiniboine River. Welcome to the crew Jay and Janice. Our humble abode pictured herein.
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BOUDI EXPLAINS OUR ROUTE

Boudi Van Oldenborgh explains our route to Sunday afternoon visitors at the museum at Fort La Reine, Portage La Prairie. A late afternoon thunderstorm caused us to pack up a little earlier than planned. Janice Dicks joined our crew today
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Jay Bailey's Flint Fire

Jay demonstrated the starting of a period correct flint / charcloth fire.
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ARRIVE PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE

The storm continued into this morning, Saturday 7 June. The crew slept in until 8am, had a Narrows Lodge sit down breakfast, packed the vehicles, and headed to Cresent Lake Park in Portage La Prairie. A few thunder storms passed thru during the afternoon
Len shown preparing a culinary master piece for the crew.
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FRIDAY 6 June 2008

The Narrows to Lundar Beach, or plan Rev 6. The 6 - 9 am shift had moderate winds from the starboard rear quarter making the handling of the canoes tricky in the heavy swells. Heavy rain started just after the second crew started about 9:30 am. They persevered in trying conditions and then called it a day.
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40km to Meadow Portage

The trek south continues. The photo depicts a 'string of pearls' arrival formation
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LAKE WINNIPEGOSIS

Heading south in Manitoba. The days will start getting shorter, a little more sleep
But we will start to encounter a few more portages

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