Paddling Home - Rock Lake

Follow the leader
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In keeping with the not-so-blistering pace set by the rest of the trip, our final day in Algonquin featured a decent sleep-in, coffee and conversation and finally, reluctantly, breaking camp.

Since most of the food was gone, our packs were considerably lighter: a fact much appreciated as we traced our path back along the portage to Rock Lake. This time, we could do it in one trip.

Finally, reluctantly, breaking camp

My big accomplishment was solo portaging the canoe for half of the 3k distance, something I never could have attempted while carrying the insanely heavy food packs. On its own, a 16 ft kevlar is not all that heavy, but it's awkward, especially for us vertically-challenged types.  I found that holding the gunnels a little further forward (rather than right at my head) kept it stable with minimal effort. Kind of fun hopping on stones across a muddied path carrying a backpack and large canoe with you.

Rocks of Rock Lake
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One thing that is uncomfortable is the wooden shoulder yoke. (I envied Aidan for the padded yoke he picked up at the Outfitters). I've done portages wearing a life jacket upside down to provide neck padding, but this didn't work with my big pack. Instead, Will and I used the simple trick of handing off the canoe every 10 or 15 minutes or so to give our shoulders a break.  Leaning the canoe against a tree (rather than putting it on the ground), it didn't take very long to make the switch.  Seemed almost a pleasant portage experience!

Beach boys
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Not only was the portage easier on the way back, but without wind or waves working against us, the paddle north on Rock Lake was a piece of cake.  We detoured a bit to explore the cliffs (presumably that gave the lake its name) and the pictograms painted on the rock face.

The day turned very hot, so we looked for a nice, empty beach for a swim. Not only refreshing and relaxing, but also something of a bathing opportunity to make for a more pleasant drive home. Rock Lake has a number of cottages on it, so there were no secluded beaches to be found. Instead, we simply pulled up to the campground and joined the crowd.

Lori on the way home
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No sooner had we changed into dry clothes, then it started to rain. Ah well.... we quickly tucked all of our gear under the canoes and sat under some trees to wait it out, while Deanne and Jeremy went back to get the cars.

We returned the kayaks uneventfully, (this is a good thing), then stopped off at Kawartha Dairy for ice-cream. (Recommended. But that's because I have a thing for peanut-butter chocolate).

We managed to work up quite a feeling of camaraderie over the course of the trip.  In the words of our most cynical group member:

Deanne and Jeremy
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"I just spent 3 days with 6 people and haven't wanted to kill anyone."

At the more positive end of the personality spectrum:

"Does anyone want to go see a movie or something? I just don't want this weekend to end."