The Paddleopoulus Experience

Well where to start...
We started the day working at camp and doing everything as normal as the day before. Planning to leave camp at 5:00 and rush our way up to Algonquin as soon as possible. The bell struck five and we were off after collecting a few important ingredients (Reburn's and Vic's ipods... props). The sporty volvo station wagon zoomed its way northward and our journey had begun. As we drove we pounded some food including some Subway and an ensure shake (which I now loath) to give us the energy that we would obviously require.
Once there we grabbed our two small backpacks, paddles and made our way over to where we were renting our canoe. Now this was no ordinary canoe, I pre-ordered (without seeing it) a yellow ultra light kevlar boat that at first glance looked like I could break it over my knee. It was somewhat see through, which we were quite amazed about later as the water underneath us put us into a sort of a trance.
Throwing ourselves into the boat we took off and gave one last look behind us, both of us hoping to see this same dock as soon as possible. Our route was simple... start at the Canoe lake access point and travel to the Brent store on Cedar lake and then back, as fast as we can.
This trek has been known as the Brent run in the past and has probably been called many other names... we decided on Paddleopoulus.
The total distance covered is something close to 150 kilometres including about 34 portages and many a push through in shallow areas.
In the first few hours we flew along. There was hardly even a breeze and the sunset alone could have inspired us to keep moving.
short amounts of time.... work in progress...

Jamming with Barefoot

On a crazy day off a couple of us embarked on a fantastic voyage. We set out from camp (Ryan, Miles and myself) and picked up one of Ryan's cousins (Scott) from Can-Aqua, who is the director there, and one of his good buddies (John). Now that is when things got pretty funny, as having a bunch of camp staff that usually are being the responsible ones now have the freedom to let loose.... so onward to the big metropolous of Wilno.
The town of Wilno was started by a bunch of draft dodging hippies and most of them still live there. There is really only one place to go in Wilno and that is the Wilno Tavern, which has excellent cabbage rolls and occasionally sports a great band that is touring. We arrived around 9:00 and there were still a bunch of seniors enjoying there dinner so we quickly met the band who at the time were setting up and were invited to have a couple in there tour van before the show. Now this isn't your average band... the lead singer/guitarist is Ryans other cousin Heather so we were welcomed with open arms when we arrived.
Now after a few sodas, we went in to watch and noticed that the crowd had changed. There were now a bunch of obvious camp staff, some local hippies (tye dye included) and a few of the dinner crowd lingering.
They started up and instantly it brought on a good vibe in the whole place. They have a Phish type of sound, being a four piece (drums, bass, keys, and guitar), however the lead singer being a woman is a much different dynamic.
It was a pretty long set and stopped around 1:30 as they were told that was as late as they could play here. Then a few people gathered outside on the small porch and one of the random camp peeps picked up a guitar and started playing out there. Well the bass player couldn't help but bring his upright outside and so started the second concert. About 20 of us were singing along with well known songs and the guitar was passed to about 3 different people, unfortunately not me. This was hilarious and to hear that many people belt out songs while squished on a small porch was something to remember.
Eventually we did break it up and our crew, the band, and their close friends headed out down the road to one of their cottages. We were responsible enough to have thought ahead and had the needed drivers with us. Now realizing that there were some sober people among us basically created a flow of booze, and we all sat down to a game of 3 man... which got a bit crazy.
What felt like no time at all, we noticed that the sky was getting a bit brighter and that maybe it was time to lay down for a bit. Being a two hour drive back to camp and having to be there by eleven made for a two hour sleep... yikes. The next morning brought us to Tim Hortons and the rest of the day was a sleepy foggy day that actually went quite smoothly.
So the adventure ended and another band was put into my collection, added with a bunch of stories that will be remembered, and again inspired me to pick up my guitar and start jamming... possibly without shoes this time.
Slater

One Small Step

So it has begun... our dream of running our own tripping company that is. We have bought the rights to a web site which really has nothing on it yet but it is a step in the right direction. This also was a big decision to decide on a company name. We tossed around a whole bunch of ideas but nothing seemed to be working and then Andrea and I were driving back up to Minden last week and I threw out the name Birch Cove and it just seemed to make sense. If you are in the dark... Birch Cove is one of my favourite places on Earth. It is a cabin at our old camp that the two of us stayed in sometime over the years. I guess if you look deep it could also mean something to do with traditional ways of tripping (birchbark canoes) and tranquil water (cove)... but pretty much it just rolls off the tongue. Say it with me now, Birch Cove Tripping... that's right, it does sound good.
This may not be something we will be putting our whole life into right away but who knows... it may just blow up and keep both of us busy, and happy for many years. We definitly have the support from our huge amount of friends that are more than qualified to be a part of the action, which will be a great asset for the first couple of years. Then maybe we can even have some of them on a fat payroll that will even keep them happy.
Ah sooo good... it gets me pretty damn excited even thinking about it. I think we were born to do this and it has been and will be a huge part of our lives so why not share these great times in the woods with others. Now really doesn't everyone just want to get out there and enjoy what nature has to offer, I know I do... now it is just a matter of time.
Slater

Friends on the water

I just spent another great five days out in Algonquin Park and got to know some good people. I was out with my group of LIT's who were all good for a couple of laughs and a few complaints, but all in good fun. Mixed in with things like watching the stars at night, people falling into beaver slime, eating mass food was also an opportunity to get to know a very unique person. The other tripper that came along with us used to work for Onondaga but has lately been doing editing for the Globe and Mail and is probably the best musician I have ever known. His name is Peirson Ross Mclean and he makes me feel that I should never touch a guitar again... honestly. He throws out some crazy licks that pretty much made me feel that I am a novice and should never play again. This guy has made an album and you can buy it in HMV for about $25, but only for the next couple of weeks and then he is taking it out of there because he thinks it is a rip off, I got one for free... suckas. Anyways, he has done an amazing amount of trips over the years and is now making another studio album that is actually funded. He played on trip and basically sold 9 CDs right there. I have never been so blown away buy an artist before. Maybe it was the fact that I also got to know the guy as well but I think it is the shear respect that I have for the ability to play that well. Anyways, I will follow his career and thought the world should know that this guy will be famous and well... enjoy his music.
Slater