Perseverance

I'm learning all over again about being outdoors in all kinds of weather. Even though I've trained for the 10 km Vancouver Sun Run, I've managed to almost all of that when it wasn't raining--I HATE running in the rain.

I don't mind so much canoeing in the rain, for some reason. Perhaps because I've done it before. A lot. But I'm having to get used to it again. I've forgotten just what works to keep my feet dry AND warm. I've forgotten the mystical moments when it truly doesn't matter that it's as wet above the canoe as it is under it.

I still don't like paddling in snow--yes, it snowed here a week ago while I was on the water, and I just missed some sleet yesterday.

I'm being reminded as I paddle what it feels like to keep going even though I'd like to quit. And what it feels like the next day when my arms feel like they might drop off. Well, not really, but not like normal either.

I can feel my body getting stronger though, and my paddling rhythm becoming steadier. And dog Lizzie loves coming along for the ride, even if she can't even dog paddle.

Where & When?

(map from http://www.2008thompsonbrigade.com/mapofroute.htm)

This trip starts on May 10 in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, and winds its way all the way to Old Fort William near Thunder Bay, ON.

I will join it west of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, on May 20, 2008.

What a variety of country we will paddle through! I'm familiar with the area around RMH--I used to live near there, and paddled there often. It starts in boreal forest, and flows into parkland, and moves back into the boreal forest. As the North Saskatchewan River flows east, the hills get smaller, but they certainly never disappear. This is not flat like southern Saskatchewan, although that flatness is only relative. The rolling hills continue for some while. I've never been to Cumberland House, SK or northern Manitoba.

I've read about the beautiful rocky valley of the Winnipeg River--which we will paddle upstream on--not around so many rapids as used to be though, gratis of the several power reservoirs. And I've heard of how so many voyageurs got lost on Lake of the Woods. We'll have GPS and real maps.

Years ago I paddled east from Fort Frances through Rainy Lake and east along the U.S. border to Quetico Provincial Park. Now we will paddle and portage our way through the fabled Quetico. And on to Old Fort William on the route the Northwest Company used after 1803. There will be plenty of portaging to do.

David Thompson, of course, would have paddled this route more than once in his work for the Northwest Company. He wouldn't have had the fancy gear and lightweight kevlar canoe--but he was likely in much better shape. Often he travelled with his wife and family.

Given that our Brigade will be comprised of at least seven canoes with about ten paddlers in each, we'll soon be a family of sorts. Even if we won't all be in the same boat.

Getting Ready

I'm getting ready to go canoeing, big time. I've decided to join the 2008 David Thompson Bicentennial Brigade. It's paddling from central Alberta, Rocky Mountain House specifically, to Lake Superior, Old Fort William near Thunder Bay. It's a long ways!

3500 km approximately.

I'll join the Brigade on Day 11 in western Saskatchewan, so I'll only paddle about 2600 km.

YES, I'm training for this. I'm too old to just jump in and hope my body will survive.

First, I'm in training for the Vancouver Sun Run. I lapsed over the summer and fall, so I've had to start over.

and, I'm doing some gym work, mostly upper body and core stuff.

and, I've started paddling already. This is the Lower Mainland of BC. Spring is already here on this first day of spring. The crocuses are almost finished, the daffodils almost out.

Yesterday I had quite a nice day on Whonnock Lake in eastern Maple Ridge. The sun came out for a bit, and the wind was very light to none. Much different than on Monday when it was rain and even small hail.