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Bonaventure River
Quebec
After French toast and bacon at our
wilderness riverside camp site, and then the gear tied down to the canoes, we
peel out downstream—always alert. Each of us look for the main current and try to stay
in it because travel there is faster and usually easier.
I see my trusted partner make a
cross-bow draw paddle stroke. She wants the canoe to go towards the right--she
doesn’t have to tell me in the rush of the whitewater that there’s an obstacle
on the left. Instinctively I sweep to keep the stern to the right of whatever I
can’t see. No rest—at the same instance of passing this first
obstacle, I look downstream for more rocks and holes, remembering the location of each as an elephant would.
Twenty tense minutes later we find an eddy to rest
in. Crossing the eddy line, I see a moose leg lift out of the water into the willows.
A moment later, after the adrenaline rush settles, we watch the twin yearling moose looking
back at us like a postcard. No time for pictures—just enjoy the moment.
g
Pictured above are my friends Carol and
George.
If you are interested in multi-day
paddling trips, for beginners or experts, please let me know. —Lucie
_________________________________________________________
For more information on year-round,
custom guided wilderness trips and instruction, for individuals, families,
and groups, please call Outdoor ESCAPES New Hampshire, LLC (603) 528-0136,
or visit
www.outdoorescapesnewhampshire.com.
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Wilderness
Guide & Outdoor Educator