Once upon a time: We spent all day doing a painfull 2-mile portage through the woods at the peak of blackfly season. There was no escape. At last we emerged on a lake and found a small island close to shore. The breeze removed the blackflies. There were about four really tall, mature white pines on the island, which was no more than 5 canoe lengths in diameter. This forced us to camp at the base of one or another of the pine trees. Their trunks were burnt, hmmm, strange, sloppy campers no doubt. We ate and slept. Around mid-night, came the big storm. Thunder and great flashes of light. Indeed, the lights went on! In mere minutes or less, we were all wide awake and throwing gear into the (3) aluminum canoes. Off across the lake in pitch black night. Each succeeding flash revealed the rapidly changing location of the other boats. On a much larger island, one large tent set up in record time. Five fellows side by side, and one across the feet filled the floor. Then the deluge! After some hours, daylight, breakfast, sunshine, then twenty miles on the lakes of Algonquin Park, Canada. Strong wind, no blackflies! Out a week, 65 miles total, northwest corner to southeast of park. Chuck Sutherland *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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