Canoe trip 2009 on the way to Matachewan via Montreal River

Just back from a great 5 day trip up to Matachewan, left at the Wapus Ck. on 560 and headed north on the west Montreal River. These were some of the finest days of the summer, sunny, low humidity, a touch of drizzle the first night and a bit on the last morning of the trip. Brian, (brother in law) and his son Sam and his friend Johnathan arrived Wednesday night for the start of the trip on Thursday. Got all the gear packed Wednesday for the big start in the AM.

Lots of campers at the Wapus landing and several motor boats were tied up. Off we go, up the Wapus to the Montreal River and north into Metikemedo Lake and finally into Penassi Lake, using some old canoe route information there were very few of the marked campsites still being used. Without a good spot it's difficult to pitch a couple of tents so we paddled on. Further north we rode out two good rapids with no trouble even though the water was low. Finally got to Rankin Lake where I had heard there was a great beach to camp on. Little did a know it was quite large for a small lake off the river a piece. All in all 27 Km. later we pitched camp a tired bunch of paddlers. Had enough energy to have a steak and potato supper and a short sit around the fire and an early turn in for the night.

We only seen one motor boat the all the way up and it was on Penassi Lake. Where we were at Rankin it would have been hard to get a motor boat in since the water is low in the rapids.

August gone all ready

Hard to believe that August is gone. Weather is finally improving with several days of sunshine coming up. A hint of fall is in the air, some of the Red Maples are starting to change and the temperature at night is getting close to freezing.

Our canoe trip is on hold until Thursday and have rerouted the trip somewhat to fit time limits.

Ontera is coming to hook up the hi-speed internet finally. Hopefully before Thursday.

A few more pics from the Edith Lake area, Meadowsweet, Edith Lake rapids, and some Dogwood berries.

Gowganda to Matachewan by ATV

My neighbour across the street Mike was determined to make it to Matachewan by way of the snowmobile trail. On Sunday we started the trek 3 machines with Mike, his wife Sharon and myself. It turned out that the worst part of the trip was the crossing Miller Ck. north of Everett Lake. Lots of boulders and muck after fixing up a couple of spots with more boulders we made it through. This trip probably wouldn't be possible if the creek was very high.

The first part of the trip had several boulders and logs across the trail, but finally we made it into the old cuts north of Obushkon Lake, from there on the trail just got better. Stopped in at Matachewan for a drink and then took the long way home along the road with a stop in at Indian Chutes Generating Station. All together it was about 135 Km. All in all a good trip. Crossed the Montreal River between Tommy Lake and Crotch Lake and took a pic of the low water levels.

Some more pics from Edith Lake

I knew I had more pics somewhere from the trip a couple of weeks ago. One of them a purple fringed-orchid. I think this is the first orchid I've seen this year. Right beside it a crimson mushroom (don't know it's real name) I have ever seen. Back down by the rapids there were a group of Arrowhead.

Weather has been cooperating pretty well with a thunderstorm moving thru today.

Look who flew in

Look who flew into the window I mean. While working in the kitchen I heard a great thump on the back porch window, after going outside to look around what do I find is an immature Pileated Woodpecker flat on the ground with his head rolling around. Picked him up and placed him in a dark box for about an hour in the porch. After that time I started to here some scatching from inside the box.

Opening the box I saw he was all right after all they spend most of their time pounding their head and neck into trees looking for bugs a crash into the house can't be all that bad. Anyway I took a few close up pics and then Gert came over and held onto him for his portait. This was taken between pecks at her hand with that large sharp bill, Thanks Gert.

Lobster Mushrooms

While cutting the grass over near Gowganda Lake Camp I viewed large Rubermaid containers filled with something redish, not going over to be a busy body I didn't find out what they were. Mentioned this to a friend who went and asked the camp owner what was going on, they said the people staying in the cabin were picking Lobster mushrooms. Never heard of them before so looked them up here, wouldn't you know the next ATV trip out piles of Lobster mushrooms. Bought them home, cleaned them up, fried in peanut oil some salt and pepper and voila good tasting wild mushrooms. Since that trip I have seen them all over the place and they are easily found by their lobster like colour.

For those around Gowganda while picking blueberries and rasberries enjoy some Lobster mushrooms with your next steak or whatever.

Blueberry crop

The blueberries are plentiful in most areas this year as expected with all the blooms earlier. On our ATV rides there have been areas that are completely blue and some have been the biggest I have ever seen. Lots of wild rasberries too and the pin cherries are loaded, the cool damp weather has made a bumper crop

Met a painted turtle along the way on a trip to Obushkon haven't seen one of those up here for a long time.

Paddling around Edith Lake

Up to Edith Lake with the canoe on Saturaday for a little trip for new pictures. The other reason is to get ready for a canoe trip at the end of the month to Ishpatina Ridge with Brian (brother in law), son Sam and a friend.

Day was quite pleasant and took pics of several new flowers which will come later. Today just a picture of the rapids from north of the landing, a Kingfisher and a Loon. Caught a nice bass out there too.

Edith Lake is the jumping off spot to the portage into Obushkong Lake, all part of the Montreal River system.

Fishing on Gowganda Lake

Out this afternoon for some fishing and picture taking. Fishing yielded some small mouth bass, perch and one 18 inch walleye. Only the walleye made it home in time for supper. While taking pictures I just missed a bald eagle that flew behind me but as I was taking pictures of the shore this Great Blue Heron flew out unexpectedly. Took several pics but this was the best of all.

August and still raining

Still the same old weather that we have had all summer, a continuation of May. Managed to get out for a bit this afternoon on the Bouche road. In between the rain showers I got in a few shots of Evening Primrose, Pearly Everlasting and some Pin Cherry. The cherries are abundant this year and the bears are pulling down the saplings to get the cherrys. They are also leaving lots of eaten cherry sign all along the road.

The boy's are gone

They must have had a good time as they didn't want to go. After a week of swimming, a pool party, fishing, hiking through town and generally doing what they wanted I guess not. Grampa had a good time too with the company. The silence is deafening.

Some pics from last week with the boys some Indian Pipe, Mountain Ash, and a Delphinium from the garden.

Jeremy and the boys on the way home from a afternoon of fishing.

Busy with grandsons

Jeremy dropped the boys off on Sunday last for a week in Gowganda. The first time by themselves and for me. We have been keeping pretty busy and eating hearty. They are stomachs on legs.

The other day we were out fishing in the canoe at Tiger Lake for Splake, we saw them jumping along the shore and so did a mink watching from the other side of us. No fish but lots of showers as we have had every day so far. Zach is handling his fishing rod pretty good with the cast on his broken wrist.

Another day we went back to the bog to get some better pictures of creeping snowberry and some of bunchberry that had just turned red. The boys found some Indian pipe which I will post when I get them off the camera (just too busy you know).

Everyday they have been swimming whether it was nice or not.

Emergency services in Gowganda

For those who don't know, Gowganda is 88 Km. (55mi.) from the nearest hospital which is in Englehart. Our town has a great first aid team that go through their training updates every year. They also have some of the best equipment available. When you are in trouble it is these people who are the first on the scene whether it be a coronary problem or an accident.

Again this week there was an emergency that had to be handled, the first aid team and usually volunteer firemen are there as quick as possible to administer first aid and gather lifesaving data for the arrival of the ambulance.

Backing up all this is the provincial ambulance sevices which can come by land or air with the air ambulance. Highly trained paramedics that can turn a poor situation into a good one by getting the person involved to a hospital in the shortest possible time.

To all who look after so many a great thank you.

Out to the bog

Where I was picking up some firewood there is a small bog, with black spruce overstory, these trees are up to 10 meters . Underneath the spruce was a foot of Sphagnum moss ,and then a peat base and a watertable just under the Sphagnum . Nice to walk on.

Labrador tea, Clintonia, Bunchberry, Creeping Snowberry and some Small Bog Cranberries. This is the first time I have seen the Small Bog Cranberries in bloom. The bloom is unusual as the petals go backwards and the stamens stick out way in front, sometimes described as a Turk's cap.

On the way back home on the roadsides the Fireweed is in bloom , this is a closeup of one of the blooms.

First trip out for firewood

Not a bad AM to go and get a bit of firewood today, I had seen a few dead cedars that I wanted for kindling in one of the cuts earlier. Weather was cooler in the AM but soon got very hot again. Weather predictions are for several more days of rain coming in, as if we don't have enough all ready.

Before I left the house I spotted a dew soaked spider web in the lilacs, you never quite see them as good until they get wet.

Stopped at an old beaverpond where the reflections were splended and the sun was still low.

Finally found some ripening blueberries, not to many as I was eating them while taking the pictures. It won't be long before some areas are a sea of blue.

On the way to town

For some of you that don't know the area, Gowganda is in the Boreal Forest but to get there from the east you have to go through the Little Clay Belt. This was formed 1000's of years ago during the retreat of the ice a large lake occupied what is now the Clay Belt. Deposits from the lake settled forming a large clay area when the water drained away. Farming is quite extensive with both crops, beef, and milk cows this is one of the richest farm areas in Northern Ontario. It is in extreme contrast to the rugged, rocky and forested Gowganda area.

From Gowganda to New Liskeard is approx. 110 Km. Over half of this is through the farmland on the claybelt. Large farms and huge acreages are seen along the way. Most of the farm seem pretty well to do.

A couple of pictures from coming home the other day, one of Triangle Hill a lookout area that has a panoramic view of the farmland both to the north and east. There is a trail to the top that I hope to be going on this summer.

Canola is one of the main crops in the summer and contrasts greatly to all that surrounds it.

More flowers

Best day of the whole summer so far. Sunny, no humidity, around 20C and the bugs were scarce what more could you ask for.

Went up to the tower for a look see, not too much new, one of the internet radios have been moved towards Lost or Long Lake to the east. The microwave cables are connected to the two dishes pointing towards Shinning Tree, other than that not too much.

Out for an ATV run on Bouche cut road late this PM finally got it all mapped out. It's surprising how close you can get to the north end of Firth Lake, a short 50 meter walk

A Wild Columbine and some Blue-Eyed Grass.