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MEMORIES FROM 2008 DAVID THOMPSON BRIGADE
May 21st to July 12th, 2008
The Battlefords, Saskatchewan to Old Fort William, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Introduction
,
Who is David Thompson
,
The Brigade
,
Paddle Canada 2
,
Website home page
Joined the Brigade today -- The Battlefords
It was a nasty, rainy day when we arrived at the campground mid-afternoon. Some teams were blown off the river, some combined and some did not start. After teams arrived we assembled for our first community event.
Fort Carlton ceremony entrance
Denny and Delores DeMeyer, the other two Americans to participate in the Brigade, are immediately in back of the bagpiper
Special passenger
Just past the confluence of the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers, we saw a person walking along the bank. We pulled over and learned he was the Chief of the James Smith Cree Nation and was heading home. We offered him a seat in our canoe which he gladly took.
James Smith Indian Reservation
The James Smith Indian Reserve was one of those special stops. They went all out for our arrival and stay. They cleared a field for us to camp and cut a trail in the cliff so we would have easy, e.g., shorter distance, access to our canoes. After setting up camp, the Brigade returned to the canoes for the formal arrival and ceremony.
James Smith Indian Reservation
We canoed to the arrival area where we were welcomed by the Tribal Elders and were part of a parade to the main area. Here we were entertained with music and served a great BBQ dinner.
James Smith Indian Reservation
A morning mist rising from the Saskatchewan River.
James Smith Indian Reservation
Hosts preparing breakfast for Brigade
James Smith Indian Reservation
Frost needed to be scraped off the seats before we could start our paddle to Nipewan
James Smith Indian Reservation
The Shaman gave his blessing for a safe journey at our departure.
Nipewan Hydro Electric Dam
Portaging brigade style around E. B. Campbell Dam.
Tobin Lake to Cumberland House
A sixty-plus mile paddle with no crew change meant we had to be on the water at sunrise.
Saskatchewan River
The Saskatchewan River flows through a large delta before reaching Cumberland House. We were lead through the delta by World Champion solo canoeist Solomon Carriere.
Cumberland House
Cumberland House opened their arms to the brigade. There were activities upon our arrival and they opened up the hockey rink so we could use the facilities. Dinner was served there also. They opened the school so Brigade members could use school computers to access the Internet.
World Champion
Solomon was at the put-in for our departure and gave tips to Brigade members.
Legends
Gib McKeckren and Norm Crerar, leaders of the Canadian Voyageurs team, dominated Canadian doubles racing in the 1960s. They never finished lower than second.
Meadow Portage Arrival
Brigade arrivals depended on conditions. At Meadow Portage, the Brigade canoed in a figure eight before lining up to face shore and ask permission to land. A string of pearls was more commonly used.
The Narrows
We spent three nights at the Lake Manitoba Resort. Our team captain, Don McMurtry, treated us to luxury accommodations, complete with hot tub, for our stay. THANK YOU, DON.
The Narrows
We had the pleasure of seeing First Nations dancers at several communities. Their colorful and varied regalia was beautiful and their dancing and interaction with the audience was a joy to see.
The Johnson's -- Lake Manitoba
Who is that coming from the fields?
The Johnson's -- Lake Manitoba
The plan was to canoe from The Narrows to a campsite on Lake Manitoba. The nice weather at the start soon turned to wind and rain. The Brigade pulled shore and after some time, the decision was made to stop paddling. The sixty wet and cold paddlers made their way to a local farm house, stampeding a herd of cattle along the way. The Johnson family welcomed the brigade, fed us and helped us retrieve the canoes and equipment.
The Johnson's -- Lake Manitoba
Some were able to sit under the porch, at least out of the wind.
The Johnson's -- Lake Manitoba
Others were inside getting warm and dry and planning. How do we best contact ground crews to get sixty people and gear to camp? Where can we camp that is warm and dry? Can we camp back at The Narrows? The leaders stepped up, a plan was developed and the Brigade reassembled at The Narrows without problems.
Portage la Prairie
We camped three nights in Portage la Prairie. There was a community event on our layover day and the Brigade set up displays. Jay Bailey and Sharon at one of the displays.
Road to Portage la Prairie put-in
It was wet and muddy when we left Portage la Prairie and it was wet and muddy when we took out at Baie St. Paul bridge.
On the way to Baie St. Baul bridge
It was wet and cold all day. Steve Flawith, David Colpitts, Don McMurtry
Fort Gibralter
Camped on grounds of fort for two nights.
Fort Gibralter/The Forks
Canoeing in regalia to The Forks
The Forks
A reenactor at The Forks in Winnipeg.
Lac du Bonnet
Lac du Bonnet was another community that went all out for the Brigade. Meeting us when we arrived...
Lac du Bonnet
... a parade, dinner, entertainment...
Lac du Bonnet
...a sit-down breakfast at six o'clock on our departure day
Grocery shopping
Ian Emmerson borrowed a grocery cart to bring supplies back to camp on our layover day in Lac du Bonnet.
Point du Bois
Point du Bois was contacted by the organizing committee about hosting the Brigade but there were no further communications. We were told at the briefing for today's paddle to look for places to camp near here. When the first team got to Point du Bois, they checked about where to camp. It turned out the town had received a grant from the local power company to cover some expenses and had prepared some food. But that was it. Then things started to happen. It was decide that the Brigade would walk up to the Community Building where the food would be served. Entertainment...Neil Hutchinson from Paddle Canada 2 offered to play the flute. Camping...there was a field and some space in an island where the road split going through town. Drinking water? One of the homes along the road offered to put out a hose to fill water containers.
Point du Bois
Field for camping
Point du Bois
House with water hose AND gathering place for games in the evening.
At Winnipeg River wilderness campsite
Pistol Lake Campground
Those on ground crew for the last couple days met those who paddled this wilderness section.
It says it all
The N.W. Co. Voyageurs canoe had some newly added art work complements of team member Al Zenert.
Rodney Brown
Rodney Brown performed many songs from his album "Big Lonely" at Rainy River. Rodney also sang at other locations along the route to Old Fort William and at Old Fort William after our arrival. The song Voyageurs from the album became the defacto Brigade anthem.
THIS story has been retold MANY times
The cast of characters: PC-2 -- Michel (stern), Don, Steve, Richard, Bill (hat) and Sharon (bow/photographer); Canadian Voyageurs and Shawnigan. We were canoeing alongside Shawnigan for a long while, not racing, but neither canoe wanting to fall back first. Unknown to us, Canadian Voyageurs was drafting us. When we separated from Shawnigan, Canadian Voyageurs shot past us and then settled into their normal 'relaxed' pace some distance in front of us. Later, our captain noted that we were gaining on them so he told all to be quite and paddle harder. He 'whispered' change commands and Michel followed the fast water near shore. Canadian Voyageurs, unaware that we were close headed straight towards their captain on shore and got caught in some slow "sticky" water. Michel kept us in the fast water and we landed before the Canadian Voyageurs as were heard Norm Crear yelling "What the hell happened out there?" After the break, the Canadian Voyageurs were gone and we did not see them again until the take-out.
Emo
The landing at Emo was the origin of an oft-told story. Our team captain suggested that we fly both the American and Canadian flags while canoeing along the Rainy River US/Canada border. There were a few remarks about the Stars and Strips flying on our canoe. As the brigade approached shore, gun shots were exchanged. The canoe fired first to say we were coming and the "fort" fired back to say everything was safe. Just as the second shot was fired, the Canadian flag hit a low hanging branch, breaking off and falling into the water (it was retrieved). But we landed with only the Stars and Stripes flying much to the chagrin of many but with big smiles from us, the only Americans on the Brigade at that time.
Emo
After the Brigade arrived at Emo, we met with the residents telling them about the Brigade and stories of our trip. Here Bill is showing kids how to paddle a North Canoe.
More Emo memories
Torrential morning rains as we waited to get on the water. It looked like the water from down spouts was coming out of a fire hose.
Fort Frances arrival
The morning rains let up and we canoed to an intermediate takeout and trailered the crew to Ft. Frances. It was cloudy but dry for the arrival ceremony. As always, the arrivals put smiles on our faces.
Tanner Lake
After a fun and challenging day paddling up the Maligne River, Paddle Canada 2 and Charlotte's Crew shared a campsite on an island in Tanner Lake. It was a chance to get to know paddlers that we had not had the opportunity to interact with before.
Early morning magic
Leaving our Tanner Lake campsite early for our paddle to Sturgeon Lake gave us one of those special moments. It was almost like you could feel the ghosts of voyageurs past paddling with us.
French Lake Campground
The Quetico Provincial Park hosted a public event for our arrival. The Bates brothers were quickly leading a snake line.
Second place team
The "young" park summer staff challenged the "old" brigade members to a North Canoe race upon arrival at the French Lake Campground. To be fair, the Brigade chose to draw names to determine teams. Brigade teams took the first four places. Members of the second place team were Lang Maxwell, ??, Sharon, Don Galloway, Steve Allen and Baptise LaLiberty
Atikokan
The Brigade participated in an event in Atikokan on our layover day. Here David Colpitts is leading a dance.
Lac des Mille Lacs
Bill, Steve and Michel checking maps. Big lake, many islands.
Savanne campground
After completing our overnight paddle on Lac des Mille Lacs, we camped in Savanna. Sure looks like it is where the rainbow points to a pot of gold!
Savanne
Dinner in town.
Starting at the right: Don McMurty, David Colpitts, Richard Wagers, Michel Gauthier, Steve Flawith, Sharon Colht Erickson, Chris Kissinger, John Latham (orange jacket), Bill Erickson
Grand Portage
Norm Crerar led interested teams to Grand Portage for a paddle to Hat Point and an entrance to the fort. Grand Portage was the site of the North West Company's post before moving it to Thunder Bay.
Grand Portage
Kirk Wipper, founder of the Canadian Canoe Museum, adjusting flag before Brigade heads to Grand Portage landing.
Grand Portage
The Brigade
Grand Portage
The Grand Portage National Monument ranger lead a toast with milk. He explained that David Thompson loved milk, but there was little or no milk at forts where he was stationed. While he was at Grand Portage fort, cows were obtained so he could have milk to drink.
Grand Portage
Kirk and Ann Wipper with the Paddle Canada 2 team.
Kaministiquia River
Final stretch into Old Fort William.
Old Fort William
Coming ashore.
Old Fort William
Let the celebrations begin!
Birch Bark Canoe
Birch bark canoes are built at Old Fort William by the staff. We had an opportunity to paddle one after the Brigade arrival and ceremonies.
Introduction
,
Who is David Thompson
,
The Brigade
,
Paddle Canada 2
,
Website home page