GLSKA - Trip Reports

GLSKA TRIP REPORTS

A selection of GLSKA Trip Reports from the 2011 paddling season

[Past Trip Reports from the Archives]

7th ANNUAL FLOWERPOT ISLAND EXPEDITION

Susan Sutherland
Photographs by Rob Muylwyk

Our trip started out May 27 with 6 enthusiastic paddlers – Bert, Kaz, Rob M., Rob W., Scott, Susan and Trish. After meeting on a sunny Friday at Dunks Bay near Tobormory, quick hellos and packing our kayaks, we headed off. Our first obstacle was getting though the high and quick surf. We all did eventually. Our crossing to Flowerpot Island took an hour and 20 minutes with 2-metre waves and 20-knot winds but everyone had smiles on their faces while surfing.

Upon landing on Flowerpot Island, we all quietly went about setting up our individual campsites, meeting back for a quick lunch. The lake had calmed down and we were back in our kayaks for a paddle around Bears Rump Island. The wind and waves had calmed down allowing the group to paddle close to the spectacular east rocky cliff shoreline and explore. All too soon we were on the lower west side stopping for a break. Bert found an old board with square nails making us think of the long-ago ships that had sailed by or unfortunately washed on shore. Rob W. found an entire large fish skeleton which was just as interesting. After a quick paddle back, a well-deserved dinner and lots of laughs, we all retired for the night looking forward to the next day’s adventure. Due to the weather, no tour boats landed which was an added bonus.

On Saturday morning we emerged to heavy fog. No fear, fog would not discourage our day. After breakfast and clean up, we headed out on the Marl Bed Trail in search of the calypso orchid. None were found as spring was late, but we did see white trilliums, some red trilliums, Canada lilies and other spring flowers thanks to Rob M.’s keen eye and knowledge. Afterwards we decided to take the Lighthouse Trail. Very different, flat rock, uphill, mossy areas, but the stairs along rock face were brutal. Taking our time, we all made it, breathless from our journey but also from the views.

As we arrived at the lighthouse, we all went our own ways to explore and think about the long-ago lighthouse keeper and his family walking these grounds. We continued on to the lower lookout for the spectacular views and on to the caves for a chat and a sit-down. We arrived back at the flower pot locations to explore these stone formations and the shoreline. Upon arriving back at the main dock, the first of many tour boats arrived off shore, transferring tourist to zodiacs to bring them to the island. A group of students gave us private chuckles with their large back packs. Some wrapped in blankets, no hats and at least one wearing stylish flip flops descending along the Lighthouse trail. After a light lunch or nap, we all got back into our kayaks to paddle around Flowerpot Island. Cove Island was our original destination but we changed that due to wind and lingering fog but no one seemed to mind as long as we were on the water. Upon returning to camp, Rob M. explored on his own and found an individual calypso orchid which he took us all to view.

New member Trish arrived on her own and came along with us on a hike with Bert to Castle Bluff which few others had travelled to. After taking a few minutes to locate the start of the trail, and losing one of our hikers momentarily, we all became “Billy Goats” following amazing Bert. The challenging climb was worth it to look out over Georgian Bay with a view of the large flowerpot. Thanks to Scott, our trip photographer, we will all remember the climb. After hiking the bluff to view the lighthouse buildings, we made our way back following markers to the one major obstacle a particularly high and steep rock face. With great teamwork we guided each other where to place our feet or hands, and all made it down safely. Tired and hungry, we made our way back to camp for a hot, well deserved dinner.

After listening to the weather report, we decided we would meet for breakfast and pack up to leave by 10:30 a.m. to avoid possible afternoon thunderstorms. As we were packing, we discovered a large family of water snakes around Rob M.’s kayak and eventually on some of his paddling gear which was warm in the morning sun. We said goodbye to Trish, who was staying an extra day, and the main group paddled silently back to Dunks Bay. Soon, some of us thought we were a bit off course. Later on the beach, we discovered that our navigator had his map upside down!

Trips are not taken without a few lemons appearing – getting a vehicle stuck in the sand, getting a foot stuck in a hole, tipping (twice) in refreshing water upon landing, wandering off the wrong way on a rugged hike, forgetting a sleeping bag. But as a GROUP and TEAM we made lemonade and solved all problems. Everyone had a very full and enjoyable trip; it was obvious from the laughter and smiles on our faces all weekend. We accomplished what we set out to do, paddle and explore Flowerpot Island, but we received much more by connecting with old friends and getting to know new ones with paddling as a common interest – which is GLSKA’s purpose as a club. Well done team. Mission accomplished.

GLSKA SPRING RENDEZVOUS 2011

Nancy Morgan
Photographs by Gerry Felsky

Undaunted by rain, lush poison ivy or the distance travelled, kayakers gathered at Cape Croker Park, on Sydney Bay, on the Bruce Peninsula near Wiarton, to socialize and reminisce about past trips, plan new ones, and for new members, to get acquainted with our club. We were welcomed by a representative of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation who registered each group and assigned a campsite. Tents were set up in this location of immense beauty, with the jagged battlement of the Niagara Escarpment at our back on the crystal clear water of Georgian Bay.

Dawn and Andrew Lawrence were first on site on Thursday; kayakers arrived through the day on Friday, set up tents and rallied to the registration and welcome reception site at 7 p.m. to sign up for workshops and trips as well as meet and greet each other. Susan Sutherland and Karen Granville had a well organised information table that guided us in our choices for the weekend. Well prepared campers ensured a successful and comfortable weekend with shelters that accommodated tables and chairs for people to gather in and chat in a bug free environment and watch the fireflies display in the evening.

The program featured an array of instructional on-water sessions at various skill levels, as well as many on-land workshops. Kayakers at all levels enjoyed the workshops offered which included: planning a trip destination, weather, personalizing your kayak, trip leader training, and on water skills. A novice trip was led by Dorothy van Esbroeck and a more challenging trip and hike by Sandy Richardson. The weather cleared and we were enjoyed a beautiful day on the water followed by the Oayaq Olympics. Laura Matthews and Rob Muylwyk formed five teams of competitors, from our membership, who took part in: tug-of-war, backward and sideways paddling, towing, a relay where paddlers work with half a paddle or just their hands and the challenge of paddling out to the finish line, taking your pants off then turning then inside out and back on again, and paddling back to the start line. This final activity seemed to be the most challenging one for our competitors and was won hands down by Sharon Rosenberg.

A highlight of each Rendezvous is the Potluck Dinner. Laura Matthews, the organizer of this event, set the stage with picnic tables in a circle and a circle of fire in the form of lanterns. Wolfram Esser chopped wood and set the fire in the centre of the site, a focal point for the occasion. Red and white table cloths on the picnic tables and candles in the centre of each table completed the framework for the fabulous dinner. Thanks to all participants for the very satisfying meal provided and wonderful desserts.

Jory Nash entertained us with a blend of folk, jazz, pop, country, soul and blues music including many of his own works. Jory is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter who plays acoustic guitar, both finger-style and flat-pick strum. His strong, warm voice encouraged people to listen, and we did as the fire burnt low and the crowd gradually thinned out as tired kayakers found their tents.

Half day and full day trips organized for Saturday and Sunday took off for a variety of destinations. Some of these trips started right at the Sydney Bay beach, while others required a car shuttle to nearby destinations. I joined Dawn’s trip to the Grotto, one of my favourite places on the Bruce Peninsula. We started the trip at the end of Little Cove Road and paddled along the shore. There were 14 kayakers from novice to expert in the group. Her strategy of having a group of 4 or 5 lead kayakers and a similar group at the back seemed to ensure cooperation among all paddlers. The group at the back went to the front at the half way point on the way to the Grotto. Paddlers enjoyed paddling close to shore, under overhanging rock and through openings in the rock. A busload of young people from Toronto were enjoying climbing the rocks around the grotto, a favourite spot and a wonder of our escarpment. The paddle and sharing of responsibilities on the way out and back, taking pictures of each other, swimming and lunch enhanced by a few treats from Dawn, encouraged interaction and we all knew each other quite well by the time kayaks were loaded for the return trip home.

Thank you to the organizing committee for a successful and fun filled weekend: Rob Muylwyk, Karen Granville, Laura Matthews, Susan Sutherland, Howard Tulloch; and to the presenters: Dawn Lawrence, Sarka Lhotak, Rob Muylwyk, Sandy Richardson, Keith Rogers, Dorthy van Esbroeck, Ed Wong, and Jack Elliot (White Squall).

BEAUSOLEIL ISLAND TRIP

Jennifer Kilbourne
Photographs by Gerry Croney

The spring of 2011 was a wet one. It was a rare stretch of two or three days in April and May that didn’t see a few showers, if not heavy rains. Gerry, the trip organizer, wisely changed the destination of this mid-May kayaking and camping adventure from Franklin Island to Beausoleil Island due to the presence of a very good cooking shelter at the north end of Beausoleil.

The group met at Honey Harbour the morning of Friday, May 13 (roll eyes here). That is, the part of the original group who had not checked their e-mail that morning, possibly because they had left home very, very early. Due to the ever changing (and deteriorating) weather forecast for the weekend, the trip had been called off very early Friday morning. However, Gerry came to the launch site anyway, in case anyone else showed up. Six other kayakers showed up, so the trip was on.

Kayaks were loaded, wet or dry suits were donned and the paddle to the north end of Beausoleil Island began. It was a peaceful paddle, as there were very few powerboats on the lake at this early date. Upon arrival at Honeymoon Bay, everyone set up their tent and bear-proofed their food supply. A couple of members went to register their tent sites with the Park, but soon realized that it was so early in the season, the “No Camping” sign was still posted at the registration kiosk.

After lunch was the nicest part of the day (and the weekend, if sunny and very low winds are your definition of “nice“). An exploratory paddle to the north of the Island, by the YMCA camp, and out into a bit of more open water was a good way to see some more “up north” landscape. After a couple of hours, dark clouds were rolling in from the west and north and the wind was starting to pick up, so we pointed our kayaks back towards camp.

Suppers were prepared in the cooking shelter, with the comfort of picnic tables and level surfaces to set stoves upon. Water purifiers, stoves and menu choices were compared (breakfast for supper, Kaz?) and Harvey’s bear barrel was admired by some in the group, even though he thought it would be safest left inside the wood stove that was in the cooking shelter. After supper, a relatively bug-free hike around the north end of the island on a marked trail allowed everyone to stretch their legs and take some beautiful photographs. The evening was very quiet, again with the lack of powerboats. Loons and Canada geese were the loudest visitors to the Georgian Bay Islands National Park on Friday night.

Saturday morning after breakfast, Gerry told the group that he didn’t feel well, so was heading back to port. Everyone else was welcome to stay, but it was no longer an official GLSKA trip. Harvey also departed early, but the rest of the group decided to stay on. After listening to the VHF marine weather forecast, we decided on a paddle out and around Bone Island.

Ralph had a chart of the area, Wolfram had a map and Victoria had a GPS, so among the three of them, the group did not get lost in the maze of islands. The wind was fairly brisk, making for a good workout while paddling. Everyone was looking forward to the return trip when surfing through the waves, with the aid of the wind, would be possible. After a of couple hours, a steady rain started, putting everyone’s foul weather gear to the test. A shore lunch (in the rain) at another part of the Georgian Bay Islands National Park provided a break before paddling back to Honeymoon Bay (in the rain). Ironically, the wind had changed, and visions of surfing back with the aid of the wind soon came to an end.

A meeting was convened at the cooking shelter on Beausoleil Island. The rain was showing no signs of stopping and the marine weather forecast was calling for stronger winds through the night. The group decided to break (a wet) camp and paddle back to Honey Harbour a day early. Jennifer waved good-bye to the departing group in late afternoon, as she had decided to stay until Sunday morning.

The rain persisted through most of the evening and night, but that is what cooking shelters and good tents are made for. The loons and Canada geese were a little harder to hear over the wind and the rain, but they were still there. However, by morning, the rain had stopped and the wind had diminished. The final tent was packed up (dry!) and the paddle back to Honey Harbour was uneventful (and sunny). And finally, I had the wind at my back and the sun shining over my shoulder, as I cruised down Beausoleil Bay between Little Dog and Big Dog Channels!

PHILLIP EDWARD ISLAND

Nancy Morgan

See article on the Winter 2011 issue of the newsletter.

[Past Trip Reports from the Archives]

email: info@glska.com