A Quick Canoe

Last Friday Wally, Shelly and I went for a quick trip down the river.  Starting in Holmesville just after 11:00, we made it to Benmiller dry, and without any issues at all before 12:30.  The river was full of water fowl and the accompanying ducklings and goslings.  Usually you can see something a bit exotic, but not this trip.  A few dead fish floated past us, but no beavers or deer.  No eagles or hawks even on this day.  As it was within the last few hundreds metres of the route Wally spied a raccoon at the edge of the river and no sooner had he mentioned it to us, it scurried off.  We never even saw any other people which is also a bit unusual. 

It was a gorgeous day with light wind and a strong sun.  The river still had plenty of water as we only scraped the bottom once on our 10 km or so journey.  It is so restful and relaxing actually to be out like that.  I wanted to leave the canoe strapped to the truck so that it would encourage me to get out another time soon, but I didn't think that would be realistic so back into the barn it went. 

I don't know too much about canoeing, but I know enough to keep it straight and to bring lots of snacks and food along for the trip.  Wally was snug as a bug in the canoe while he sat on lawn furniture cushions.  We have it pretty good living where we do.  Most people have to drive quite far to do something like this, but for us it isn't 10 miles out from town.  Although in the middle of the summer there wouldn't be enough water to enjoy the trip as much, it is fine for now.  I hope to get up to the Saugeen River sometime this summer for a day out up there.  It is suppose to be great.