CONFEDERATION BRIGADE

David reported: All the paddlers camped at the Cape Tormentine Beach Campground as pre-arranged. It was deemed to be a “paddle with friends” as opposed to a formal voyageur trip. This was indeed fortuitous because it seems that it is difficult to get things organized, especially when making a crossing over a 17 km stretch of open water with tides, winds and waves to consider. Although a meeting with all paddlers during the evening of 23 July was considered, a smaller meeting with boat captains and others who just happened to be around (like myself) was held. By this time, the weather forecast had been obtained, an arrangement with the coast guard to provide an escort had been made, but number of boats and paddlers was not finalized – mainly due to unknowns associated with our friends from PEI. Safety aspects were discussed in detail, only responsible adults participating (i.e. no kids) lead boat, etc.

In the morning, the teams prepared for the channel crossing. Cars were shuttled to the Cape Jourimain Nature Centre where they would be picked up after the channel crossing.

The Lake Amisk Voyageurs team for the crossing was David, Sue, Marti, Wayne, and 2 PEI adults, Phil and Dylan. Bill and Sharon choose not to do the crossing.

David reported: And so, on the 24th the boats and teams assembled. Many paddlers were a little anxious of the undertaking, but in general there were high spirits, even though the waves seemed high, and white caps were visible.  The weather forecast was for the winds to die down about 1 hour after launch. And so we set off -- five canoes and a kayak, with the coast guard vessel just off shore. Inside the breakwater the sea was calm, and but once outside it, the swells were perhaps 4 ft. with the odd breaking wave. The expedition leader bellowed out to ask if everyone felt comfortable, and if anyone wanted to turn back. There was a resounding yes – let’s do it!!

Switching sides took a little getting used to, especially in our boat as we had two new (to us) paddlers. But we soon got into a rhythm. We did have to time the “SWITCH” such that there was not a large wave catching us broadside on. We did figure out that the larger waves came in three’s which was useful There was no time to stop and just enjoy the scenery, but we did stop one by one to take a drink of water. There was a little chatting as we crossed, but it was hard (for someone like me) to hear what was being said other than the instructions which were bellowed out!!

After an hour or so, the wind died down as forecast, and there were fewer whitecaps, which was re-assuring. However, as we got close to the PEI shore, the angle of the waves seemed to change, and our 26 ft. canoe was actually surfing – YIPPEE! 

And so after 2-1/2 hours it was over – everyone was delighted with themselves and congratulating each other as the mutual admiration society members always do. Mind you the coastguard vessel was still offshore – they had to stay with the kayaker who could not keep up with the blistering pace the canoes kept up.

Altogether, a great event, and coming at the end of a week of my first voyageur canoe trip, it was a most memorable occasion. Thanks to my fellow paddlers for having me come along.

Once the crossing was completed, David, Sue and Wayne took the shuttle to pick up their vehicles. David and Wayne returned to the takeout, gather their gear and then with Marti drove to Sunset Campground in Cavendish on the north side of PEI.

Sue had to head back to Toronto after the crossing. She was a constant contributor and always willing to help where needed. We enjoyed her quite humor.

Bill and Sharon stopped at the Nature Centre and while seeking a couple geocaches, talked to the Canadian TV crew that was filming the crossing. After crossing the bridge, they spent the day exploring western PEI. Geocaches, sparsely populated areas, an old Catholic Church on the coast and lobster poutine at a small ice cream shop at a fishing wharf were experienced before getting to the campground.

An interesting bridge fact: There is no toll charged when crossing from New Brunswick to PEI. However, you do have to pay a toll when crossing in the opposite direction.

Today was an off day which gave all a chance to explore PEI. Marti and David bicycled along the northern coast and bought lobsters back to camp. Wayne visited an old friend. Bill and Sharon found the oldest geocache in PEI and explored the light houses and scenery along the southern shore east of Charlottetown.

Oh, the logistics! After breakfast and camp chores were completed, it became time to figure out how our and the other teams and their canoes were going to get to the West River put in at the Bonshaw bridge on CDN-1, where vehicles were going to be parked, how they were going to be picked up, etc.

After several iterations to accommodate various needs, a plan was devised and things started to move. Our canoe was loaded on Ted Bentley’s trailer. Bill drove their camper to the takeout and got a ride to the put in with another team. Wayne, Marti and Sharon rode with David. The rest of the logistic story later.

Today’s Lake Amisk Voyageur paddlers were: Sharon (1), David (2), Marti (3) Sophie and Abby from the PEI high school team (4), Bill (5) and Wayne (6). Sophie and Abby were welcome additions. They love canoeing and have definite, ambitious plans about life after high school.

The initial part of the West River was one of the narrowest, most intimate rivers canoed of the entire trip and meandered through low land terrain. Before long it started to widen and by the time we arrived at the Rt. 9 bridge it was wide like many others and definitely tidal. We stopped at the bridge, about 8 km from the put in, and several of the paddlers took advantage of the break to take a swim and jump from the bridge. Was anyone surprised when Brook led the way to the bridge? Most people do not like to swim in salt water but Sophie and Abby both commented how they enjoyed it much more than fresh water.

The remaining 16 km saw the river increase in size and the tide was not a significant factor at this time of the day (high tide was at 1:31pm). At Charlottetown, we paddled past the wharf and then back to the Charlottetown Yacht Club where we stored the canoes for the night. Many paddlers visited the Yacht Club and other local businesses in the area. Bill, Sharon and David returned to the put in to get David’s car. They had the “pleasure” of experiencing a rush hour traffic jam at a road construction project at an import intersection.

This was David’s last day and Bill and Sharon said their goodbyes before heading to dinner with a friend Sharon met in 1988. David returned to Charlottetown to pick up Wayne and Marti and give them a ride to camp. From there he headed home to Fredericktown.

David joined the team in Florenceville-Bristol. An accomplished wilderness canoeist, this was his first encounter with the 6-man North Canoes. That was not a problem. He contributed mightily in the canoe and was always there to help in camp, ask questions that needed asking and entertained team members with his British humor and knowledge of the area.

Note: Today low tide was at 7:53 am and high tide was at 1:31 pm.

The final day of canoeing for Amisk Lake Voyageurs, Canada 2017 edition. After today, Wayne and Marti will be shifting their focus to bicycling on PEI and the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton, NS. Sharon and Bill will be heading to Nova Scotia for a Bluegrass Festival, to look for the oldest geocache in Canada and to canoe a river in the only province they have not canoed in this year. Today’s crew was Suzanne from Red Rogues/Ceynna(1), Sharon (2), Marti (3), Sophie and Meg (Abby had to work today) from the PEI high school team (4), Bill (5) and Wayne (6).

Logistics were again the topic of the morning’s discussion. It ended up that Wayne drove his truck/trailer to the take out, Bill took Des from the Ceyana Pathfinder crew to the airport so he could pick up a rental car and then drove to the take out. Bill and Wayne rode with Des to the put in. Sharon and Marti hooked rides with other teams.

At the put in, Sharon stirred the pot and it ended up with Ted taking his canoe over to a large Canada 2017 sculpture for the brigade picture. It was then back to the boat ramp and we were on the water. The entire 23 km trip on the Hillsborough, a Canadian Heritage River, was UPSTREAM. BUT we did have the tide and the wind at our back. After canoeing past the harbor, we had to cross under the CDN-1 bridge. Often this can be tricky from the tide/current/bridge abutment combination. With due diligence, it was not a problem today. We encountered some waves, made a stop for a crew change for those that wished and another combination lunch/biobreak before taking out near Scotchfort. It was with mixed feelings that we loaded our belongings into our vehicles, helped get our canoe loaded into Wayne’s trailer, had hugs and group pictures and said our final goodbyes, often more than once.

Note: Today low tide was at 8:40 am and high tide was at 2:23 pm.