It was 1:30 now. A taxi came into the bay and was loaded with people and canoes. The driver said that he had room for one canoe and one person. Stainless said he could take his canoe and Guncho said he would go. We all said good-bye to him and he was off in no time. Mr. Guncho is a great guy and I enjoyed his company.

I was happy that I could sleep now. Soon Laurie was making bear sounds and I drifted off a few times while trying to listen to stories being told. At one point I heard Sal had a turtle and he was going to play a joke on us, but I was to darn tired, to lift my hat off my face to see what was going on….At that point, I was vulnerable.

I woke up before the taxi came and felt great! A power nap does wonders. I jammed some chocolate peanuts down and was full of energy, but not enough to paddle Opeongo today! Right on time, the 2:30 taxi came thru the narrows before the small bay. I bounced up and got my gear together. I kicked Laurie to wake her up…I should say, I nicely kicked her!

Our ride approaches.

The driver pulled the boat up as far as possible. We all quickly help load the boat and helped Laurie get in without getting her shoes soaked. It was funny trying to heave her on the deck of the boat. (I’m not picking on her people) She wore a rain coat to block the wind on the ride back.

Loading the taxi

Sal has his fishing rods.

After we passed the narrows, the driver looked around and warned everyone about their hats and asked if we were ready to rock. He pushed the throttle full and we took off against the wind and waves. We pounded the wave’s big time and the driver would use the Islands as wind breaks if he could. What a fun ride. I looked back to see Laurie hanging on to our paddles and she had her hood up blocking the wind.

Laurie and looking back at the portage to Proulx

Approaching the narrows .. leaving the small bay before Opeongo

A windy ride today

We approached Bates Island to see about 6 people stranded by the conditions. A man waved down the driver. We approached them slowly and the man asked how much for a ride to the docks. The driver said $27 max each and will have to come back with another boat. The man agreed, didn’t have much choice. The wind here was brutal. The driver said they do well when the wind picks up! I bet they do…….

Stranded people on Bates Island

We did pass surprisingly many canoes following the west shore. We also passed canoes loaded, going with the wind right in the middle of large bays! The water was only 62 f (16 c). I would have been closer to shore for sure.

By 3:00 we got on the docks. Stainless’s canoe was there and Guncho gone. We could see fishermen coming back, bringing fish to the checking station. Swedish Pimple went inside the hut and asked the fisherman that caught a huge trout if he could get a picture of it. No problem. Swed picked the big trout up and brought it outside for some pics. Laurie got a picture also! The trout was around 15lbs and 25-30 years old I believe. Nice fish indeed.

Laurie and Swed .. nice fish!

Now, that’s a fish!

The other guys went back in the store to pay. It is best to prepay. Mass confusion!!!! Guncho had problems as well, being he was back a hour before us and they wanted him to stay until we got back! They allowed him to pay and finally go.

Dave, Sal and Stainless were securing down their canoes as Laurie and I said goodbye.

We enjoyed this trip very much and hope to trip again with them.

Loading up our canoes and ready to go home

I had a last goodbye with Swed as I was underneath my van. I was wiring up the tail pipe that broke off as we were leaving! Dave said bye again and checked to see if things were under control. Good thing I carry tools with me! By 5:00pm we were on highway 60 headed for Windsor. First stop was Huntsville for pizza!

Another great Algonquin Adventure with fellow AA’ers that I would have never met otherwise. Thanks Barry!

End of Part 7 - Mike and Laurie Burns