Tales from the log of the Ruptured Duck
Day# 1, Saturday 11 Sep 04: We traveled to, and paddled on, Lake Mijinemungshing, 11-18 September 2004. The group is Charlie Parmelee, Doug McDougal, Jon Young, Bud Hart, Al Dasen, Kevin King, Duane Niemi, Gerry Morin, and me - Jack Voss.
We’d agreed to meet at the Flap Jack Shack restaurant in between Lansing & East Lansing, and depart NLT 06:00. Dougie and I are traveling together, and we got there at 06:17. We wouldn’t live that down for awhile. Duane and Gerry are to rendezvous with us at the State rest stop immediately north of the straits. I handed out 2-way radios so we could all keep in contact on the road.
Anyone with deep trouble was to coordinate by calling Charlie Parmelee’s cell phone. DARN! Before we hit the straits, Gerry called and reported in that he would be a day late – tire problems. Duane was ready and waiting at the straits so we made a short pit stop, made introductions around, and pressed on. We stopped at the US side of the Soo (Sault Sainte Marie MI) for lunch and fuel (cheaper on the US side).
The duty free shop, traveler’s information, and customs went well. Some guys bought fishing licenses. Getting out of the Canadian side of the Soo (Sault Sainte Marie Ontario) was a hassle. There are lots of turns and traffic lights. AARRGGHH!! We were soon on the open road – Trans-Canada Highway 17. Stopping at Agawa Bay Campground, we paid our fees and filled out the permits (Permit# 14237 for Dougie & me). Some guys bought a raffle ticket for a canoe. I picked up some brightly colored paper for use as signs for Gerry to follow.
On arrival at Mijinemungshing (Miji), about 16:00, (N47° 42.024' W84° 43.644') it was raining and misting. We off-loaded, parked, and loaded the boats. We got away from the dock at about 16:55. We had some camps in mind that were good choices – “group Site# 23 was a choice. BAD! Cruddy landing and only enough sites for maybe three tents – REJECT.
Bud and I led the way to the point and site# 20 - full already. However, we met new paddlers. From the Canadian side of the Soo, came Erich Eppert [email protected] and John ??. Erich runs a kayak building shop in the Soo. We briefly talked boats etc. and said they’d be gone by 10:00 – 11:00 the next morning. They also advised us that site# 22 on the S’ly side of the adjacent island had three tents of guys from Traverse City MI who would leave Monday morning. And finally, suggested we take a look at the group site# 15 & 16 on the island just off the dock. We did, and that’s where we set up camp in the mist.
Three years ago (by date) is when the terrorists hit the twin trade towers and Pentagon. Others have forgiven them; it’s my personal wish that they are suffering mightily somewhere.
Day# 2, Sunday 12 Sep 04: We awoke to wind and rain. About 10:30, Erich & John came by on their way home. They stopped and we introduced ourselves all around. They stayed for about an hour talking boats. Erich likes Bud’s new stripper kayak. Bud likes that comment a lot.
Charlie explained about the Quiet Water Symposium held the first Saturday of March at Michigan State University. Erich is considering coming down to display. He and John know Gary & Joanie McGuffin. We had a good talk and enjoyed it a lot.
That was the highlight of the day, unless watching Kevin take naps (one of three hours!) all day can be considered more exciting. We all kind of relaxed, napped, read, talked, and endured the damned wind of 20 – 25 mph racing through camp. We reminisced, got acquainted around.
About 14:30, everybody else except Kev paddled off to the NE’ly arm. I made a navigational error and went all around an island at the mouth of the arm. Jon’s GPS pointed out the error and we got off again. We visited sites# 7, 9, & 8. Charlie & Doug walked a trail to Lake Almonte (sites# 4 & 5). We had a late dinner & evening chats.
About 20:30 I noticed alight flashing out on the lake. I walked down to the beach and shouted, “Hello?â€Â
Day# 1, Saturday 11 Sep 04: We traveled to, and paddled on, Lake Mijinemungshing, 11-18 September 2004. The group is Charlie Parmelee, Doug McDougal, Jon Young, Bud Hart, Al Dasen, Kevin King, Duane Niemi, Gerry Morin, and me - Jack Voss.
We’d agreed to meet at the Flap Jack Shack restaurant in between Lansing & East Lansing, and depart NLT 06:00. Dougie and I are traveling together, and we got there at 06:17. We wouldn’t live that down for awhile. Duane and Gerry are to rendezvous with us at the State rest stop immediately north of the straits. I handed out 2-way radios so we could all keep in contact on the road.
Anyone with deep trouble was to coordinate by calling Charlie Parmelee’s cell phone. DARN! Before we hit the straits, Gerry called and reported in that he would be a day late – tire problems. Duane was ready and waiting at the straits so we made a short pit stop, made introductions around, and pressed on. We stopped at the US side of the Soo (Sault Sainte Marie MI) for lunch and fuel (cheaper on the US side).
The duty free shop, traveler’s information, and customs went well. Some guys bought fishing licenses. Getting out of the Canadian side of the Soo (Sault Sainte Marie Ontario) was a hassle. There are lots of turns and traffic lights. AARRGGHH!! We were soon on the open road – Trans-Canada Highway 17. Stopping at Agawa Bay Campground, we paid our fees and filled out the permits (Permit# 14237 for Dougie & me). Some guys bought a raffle ticket for a canoe. I picked up some brightly colored paper for use as signs for Gerry to follow.
On arrival at Mijinemungshing (Miji), about 16:00, (N47° 42.024' W84° 43.644') it was raining and misting. We off-loaded, parked, and loaded the boats. We got away from the dock at about 16:55. We had some camps in mind that were good choices – “group Site# 23 was a choice. BAD! Cruddy landing and only enough sites for maybe three tents – REJECT.
Bud and I led the way to the point and site# 20 - full already. However, we met new paddlers. From the Canadian side of the Soo, came Erich Eppert [email protected] and John ??. Erich runs a kayak building shop in the Soo. We briefly talked boats etc. and said they’d be gone by 10:00 – 11:00 the next morning. They also advised us that site# 22 on the S’ly side of the adjacent island had three tents of guys from Traverse City MI who would leave Monday morning. And finally, suggested we take a look at the group site# 15 & 16 on the island just off the dock. We did, and that’s where we set up camp in the mist.
Three years ago (by date) is when the terrorists hit the twin trade towers and Pentagon. Others have forgiven them; it’s my personal wish that they are suffering mightily somewhere.
Day# 2, Sunday 12 Sep 04: We awoke to wind and rain. About 10:30, Erich & John came by on their way home. They stopped and we introduced ourselves all around. They stayed for about an hour talking boats. Erich likes Bud’s new stripper kayak. Bud likes that comment a lot.
Charlie explained about the Quiet Water Symposium held the first Saturday of March at Michigan State University. Erich is considering coming down to display. He and John know Gary & Joanie McGuffin. We had a good talk and enjoyed it a lot.
That was the highlight of the day, unless watching Kevin take naps (one of three hours!) all day can be considered more exciting. We all kind of relaxed, napped, read, talked, and endured the damned wind of 20 – 25 mph racing through camp. We reminisced, got acquainted around.
About 14:30, everybody else except Kev paddled off to the NE’ly arm. I made a navigational error and went all around an island at the mouth of the arm. Jon’s GPS pointed out the error and we got off again. We visited sites# 7, 9, & 8. Charlie & Doug walked a trail to Lake Almonte (sites# 4 & 5). We had a late dinner & evening chats.
About 20:30 I noticed alight flashing out on the lake. I walked down to the beach and shouted, “Hello?â€Â
