Lana & Cherie's Algonquin Adventure

The first account is for any would-be adventurers who want to know things like how long does it take and what not to bring. This was my 7th trip to Algonquin and I learn something new every time. The most important thing I learned on this trip was to never, ever, do the portage to Casey Lake again! It looks so innocent on the map. I even hiked it 2 years ago and I didn't think it was that bad. But hiking it for fun and trekking it back and forth as a portage are two entirely different things. This was brutal. Insanity. Forget winning a million dollars in the lottery - I want teleportation ability. I want magic to make things float in the air. I want super strength and super speed. I want this horrid portage to be over!

The second thing I learned is that Lana Plank is the most wonderful person on the planet. I literally begged her to come with me on this trip (Dean was unable to go at the last minute) and she had no idea what she was getting herself into. The closest she ever came to complaining was to ask me if I knew how difficult this portage was when I planned the trip. So pick your companions wisely, or in my case, have God pick them for you - because He certainly was the One who sent Lana to me in the eleventh hour. (Lana may have a completely different perspective on all this and it will be interesting to read her account of our adventures!)

Now to wrap up the practical details: Brantford to Kearney with 2 pee breaks and a gas fill-up = 4 hours. Kearney to Rain Lake = 45 minutes. From the parking lot at Rain Lake to the put-in at the portage to Casey Lake = 1 hour. Don't bring an axe, but do bring a saw. Don't skimp on bug spray. Don't, under any circumstances, put nails in a living tree. (The sap runs down over everything and is very, very sticky!)

And now for the personal account. The first thing I want to talk about is the scariest time of the entire trip: it was during the drive up. Lana and I had both been awake for 24 hours and she asked me to drive. Of course I agreed and so I turn the music up a little and make sure the car is not too warm. There is very little traffic. I'm driving in a state so close to sleep. It's hard to describe. I knew if I was singing along to the CD then I was awake, but if I stopped singing, I couldn't prove to myself whether I was awake or not. The length of time my eyes stayed closed when I blinked was getting longer and longer. I really wanted to be alert but wanting and doing were entirely seperate. After only half an hour or so, I pulled off the highway and told Lana I was sorry but I just couldn't drive any more. The sensation of falling asleep despite my resolve and determination not to, is a sensation I never want to experience again.

And now an ode to Peter, our guardian angel, who - if he ever reads this blog - will no doubt be embarrassed by our ebullient gratitude. Peter - the strong one! Peter - the kind one! Peter who shows kindness to strangers! Blessings on Peter! May all his portages be smooth! May all his campsites be dry! We salute you, Peter!
Now, if you are wondering what on earth that was all about - I will tell you. So, Lana and I are on this killer, brutal, insane portage. We are exhausted from no sleep. We are worn out from the drive and from paddling across Rain Lake. We have shlepped almost everything to the other side except for the food barrel and a pack and the canoe. We've tried carrying the canoe together, and it didn't work very well. We are just too tired. All our muscles are crying out for oxygen. It feels like we've been on this track for days. I sit down beside the path and just breathe for awhile. (If you ever come to my house and see a little sign that says "breathe", now you will know why). Lana is too tired to sit down. She just stands there for a minute, then, when she realizes I am not getting up, joins me, and she sprawls out on the path. We lay there for a time. Breathing. Wondering if all of this is just a dream and pretty soon we will wake up and start our trip - this time with easy portages. This is the state we're in when Peter and his two young sons show up. They are unencumbered. They are simply hiking this trail for the fun of it. Without us having to ask (beg if needed), Peter offers to help us - to carry our canoe. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Whether he knew it or not, this man (was he really a man? or perhaps an angel in disguise?) is an answer to prayer! Thank You, God, for sending us Peter! So, Peter picks up the canoe and heads off down the trail with his two little boys; and now, refreshed by the kindness of a stranger, Lana and I heave the packs onto our weary backs and trudge the remainder of the way (all uphill, except for the very end, where there is a very steep incline down to the water's edge). The first glimpse of the waters of Casey Lake are the gladdest sight I've ever seen. And there is the canoe, floating serenely in the water, tied securely to a tree. Where is our angel? Oh - there he is. I honestly would not have been surprised to find him disappeared. We thanked him over and over; blessed him over and over. Could we have completed this portage without his help? I guess we would have had to, but oh! Thank God we didn't have to!! So, please accept my heartfelt Ode, wherever you may be, Peter.