This trip consisted of AlgonquinAdventures.com personality-regulars .. organizer Bo Knows (Ken Born), Ken’s wife Sheila, Preacher (David Sullivan), Dogbyte (Derek Specht), Mark Rubino and myself Mike Burns.
This was my first trip with a large group. It all started with Bo throwing out the suggestion of this trip in December to the Algonquin Adventures forum. I jumped on board as soon as I heard of the idea. I mentioned to Markus I was interested and he put me on his list of canoe partners. I was 3rd on the list. As luck had it (for me anyways) the other 2 before me could not make it. Right on! I’m in! This was a chance to learn more about the park and learn more tripping tricks from fellow AA’ers. I also wanted to learn how to catch trout from Master Bo. As it turns out on this trip, all I got was nothing but a large perch and a few strikes! errrrr…!!
Friday, May 5th: The Gathering
I left the Windsor area, to meet up with Markus in Toronto for 9:00 am. I greeted Markus with a "Timmy". We spent about an hour or so going through our food/gear and switching my canoe to his car. Then we were off to Pembroke. We all met at the Travel Lodge in Pembroke, Friday May 5th. Markus, Bo, Mrs. Bo and I went for supper across the street. Dogbyte and Preacher came shortly after. We all had a great time meeting everyone.
Bo showed us the fishing medals that he got made for the Algonquin Adventures fishing contest. Very cool. After supper we went back to our rooms and had a few drinks before we retired for the night.
The gang in one of the two adjoining rooms. From left, Dogbyte concerned about a leak in his container
of scotch (sorry, got better pics of you to come) Sheila, Markus, Preacher and Bo.
Bo and Markus.
Saturday, May 6th: Express Ride to White Partridge Lake
Our wake-up call was at 6:00 am. Bo left and came back with some Tim Horton coffee for us. He rocks! We were soon on our way for breakfast at a corner truck stop. The weather was rainy and cold (2°C) with some sleet. We fuelled-up with eggs and bacon and then were off to meet Stewart Hammel (our friendly Express wagon-master and Bo’s cousin) for 10:00 am. We did have to stop for pre-ordered worms at Simon’s. His kids pick and sell worms and make ice for passing trippers. Simon has a sweet place near the Barron Canyon Road. I would love to live in this area. The next stop was the Algonquin Portage store. Bo needed to pick up a canoe rental. Dogbyte had a 14 foot fibreglass and I had my new Swift Kipawa. Soon we were moving again on the long, twisty, shuffleboard worn road.
Bo, Shelia and their rental. Dogbyte to the right.
Preacher, Markus and Dogbyte.
The Barron Canyon Rd. turns into Lake Travers road to meet up with Stewart.View from Markus’s car.
Preacher ahead, Bo in front with canoe and Dogbyte leading the way. I have to add that I think
Markus was a Rally car racer in his past life!
Stewart was waiting for us, when we finally arrived. We quickly unloaded our gear from our cars. When we had our gear ready, Bo noticed that the Algonquin Portage store hadn't supplied him with paddles! Lucky Dogbyte and I had spare paddles. It would have been a long drive back to get paddles.
Stewart suggested that I put my canoe on top. This was a new canoe of mine with no scratches to speak of. I was worried about scratching the bottom and said I rather take the bottom position. Canoes on the bottom sit on tires. I thought it would be better then bouncing on top of loaded gear. I asked Stewart if the canoes will get scratched on the road as we move along. He laughed! Everyone was laughing at my concern for my Swift. All in fun, I should say. Stewart has this sinister type of laugh that you just love. He’s a great guy with an abundance of information about the park. His love for horses shows, as he lets the team rest along the 11 mile rough road to White Partridge Lake. I must say that the ride on the wagon is a hoot and a half. You must look out for the tree branches if you're standing on the sides! The ride is exhilarating! After 90 minutes or so we arrived at the “meadow” on White Partridge Lake. This was the site of an old lumber camp and as well as an old farm. The area was cleared, mostly flat, and covered with the greenest grass I’ve seen, with a sandy landing that wanders into shallow waters.
Heavy stuff in the bottom canoes. Yep, that’s mine. Dogbyte is loading.
Preacher is holding on and looking out for the next tree to duck .When people yell “Branch”,
you duck as fast as possible. When you hear “tree”, you'd better hold on even more!
Myself on the left .. and Markus doing his thing! Dogbyte is to the right. There are a few
places to sit up front. I preferred to stand and hang onto the canoes.
A back view on the wagon. Notice the snow on the road still.
Markus to the left. Dogbyte enjoying the front seat listening to Stewart’s stories.
After two hours on the wagon, we arrive at the White Partridge meadows.
Bo warming up for us.
Markus also warming up for……………..the loons!
Before setting up our tents Bo called us over to read his "Lazy Son-of-a-bitch" speech .....
To those who don't know me well, I am a lazy son of a bitch. In fact, I am President of the Lazy Son of a Bitch Club of Algonquin Park. And this year in May, 4 new members were added to my club. The following proclamation was read to the 4 new members upon reaching White Partridge Lake.
Let it be known that on Saturday, May 6th in the year 2006 that Markus, Mike, Preacher and Dogbyte took the Stewart Hammel White Partridge Express into White Partridge Lake, thus avoiding an 11 mile portage and all the aches and pains and sore backs that come with it.
Let it also be known that on the way in, I witnessed them having a relaxing time, ducking and weaving at will, and even sipping on a beverage or two. Therefore, I can truly attest that these four are lazy sons of bitches and I, as President of the Laziest Son of a Bitch Club of Algonquin Park, mainly due to the fact that I am the laziest son of a bitch that you will ever meet, grant you membership into my proud fraternity and bestow upon you all the same rights and privileges of former lazy sons of bitches before you.
Congratulations!
Bo
Bo then presented us with all our own William Wobbler fishing lures. Thanks Bo! Even though I caught nothing with it! Later Markus, Preacher, Dogbyte and myself decided to go across White Partridge to the 905 m portage to Sundassa. We wanted to check the condition, since it was early in the year and we may have deadfalls to deal with in the morning. This was the first time that Markus and I awere in a canoe together. With Markus in the bow, we headed across the bay.
The bay had some chop to it and I felt a little uneasy in the canoe, rocking about with my new partner. I was sitting in my seat and I should have been kneeling to help lower the center of gravity. I'm pretty sure Markus was uneasy as well. On our return, I was kneeling and felt better in the canoe. Markus likes to paddle on the right most of the time and I like the left side, so we got along great in the canoe. We made it across the bay into a very rocky entrance to the portage.
Many small trees were across the portage trail. We cut and cleared as we made way to Lake Sundassa. Dogbyte is lumber jack pro with an axe! He sure can chop, that's for sure. What ever he does, he does 100%. We chatted and laughed as we cleared the way. By the time we got back to White Partridge, sunset was near. We crossed in near darkness. The moon was out in full force and the cold with it. That night the temperature went down to –7°C!
Dogbyte brought his telescope with him and he set it up. We all checked out the moon. I was amazed at the detail of the moon with the telescope. Thanks Dogbyte. As it tuned out, we never had another chance to use it, as our site on Little Dickson didn't have much of a clearing to view the sky.
Markus brought some marinated chicken. Yummy! Some others in our group brought steak. We cooked on a very welcomed fire to break the cold. We all turned in around 11:00 pm to a very cold tent. Stewart, our wagon-master slept in the other fisherman’s campsite in a large tent. He had a cot to sleep on. The other group came in with Stewart the day before and had the campsite right on the waters edge.