Tuesday, May 9th: Historical Site Search Day
It was a beautiful morning. I was again up early .. around 7:00 am. I'd slept great again. Actually, I could hear Bo snoring a few tents away during the night. Or was that Markus? Heh, heh.
The temperatures during the night had been around 5°C and had warmed up to 15°C by 9:00 am. The previous night, we'd decided to try to find the historical site on Little Dickson at the northwest end. I think it was my bright idea. I like to hike and love to bushwhack some. Preacher and Dogbyte joined Markus and myself. Bo and Sheila went fishing. After breakfast and having cleaned-up the dishes, we were on the water by 10:00 am. Markus cleaned up this morning and washed the dishes inland with bio-degradable soap and used old pine needles to boot. Sheila and Mark were discussing the importance on how to keep the water clean by not washing in the lake water directly. This is a good practice for all to follow.
Preacher waiting for Dogbyte. Bo Knows and Shelia are in the background fishing.
On the canoe-route map, an “H” is shown, without any explanation of what it may be. Maybe it's an old cabin or logging ruins. Who knows? It would be nice to find out. We paddled together to find the location. It's near a point of land. We landed and made our way along the shore. We had to climb up high to reach the crest of a ridge. Moose droppings were everywhere. We got near the top of the ridge and Dogbyte asked if I had the map. “Nope, I better go back and get it.”
Dogbyte moving a branch to take a better picture of a burnt tree stump.
Many burnt trees in this area. Remnants of an old forest fire.
When I got back to the guys, we spit up a bit to find whatever the “Historical” site might be. Well, we split up too much. Dogbyte and I yelled to Preacher and Markus to rejoin. We got back together again to cross a creek and then came across a trail! What the heck? Out comes the map. Looking at the map, it seems we started at the wrong point (my fault) and we stumbled upon the 890 meter portage to Dickson Lake! We sat down on the trail for a snack and a rest.
Resting on the 890 meter portage to Dickson Lake.
After fifteen minutes or so, we finished the trail to Dickson Lake. Here's the proof!
We were only a few minutes from the lake. We would all be coming this way the next day, to fish and explore Dickson Lake .. and to see the huge Red Pines on the east side. On the way back at the creek-crossing, we got across by walking on a log. It was a small tree. Dogbyte and I crossed successfully. Markus was next to cross. I was surprised to see him make the balancing act with his new expensive camera. He made it with only a few wobbles.
“Easy does it Markus.” Preacher is in the shadowy background, taking the low road.
Preacher was smarter to take the “low road”, taking his hikers and socks off, crossing bare-foot in the water. Once back in our canoes, Preacher and Dogbyte stopped again at the right point and made a quick search for the historical site. Markus and I stayed in the canoe and waited. They had no luck finding it. To this day, we still don't know what the historical site is. Even Stuart, our wagon-master didn't know when asked later in the week.
It was vegging-time that afternoon, at base camp. My hammock was making good on this trip! It was also bath-day for me. I went over to the water's edge and tested the water-temperature. It was 13°c . I went back into my tent and change into my swim-shorts. I jumped in and swim out fast. Holy cow, was it refreshing! I did not last long at all!
I’m not sure what we had for supper, nor if we ate before or after fishing. But we were out on the water fishing by 7:00 pm. We again trolled back and forth between the island and the east mainland. A big, big moment for me. At 7:50 pm I caught my first fish in Algonquin!
Tasted good!
I was all excited, while bringing up the fish. A big perch! I was laughing. I was intent on keeping this fish to eat! When we got back at dusk, I cleaned the perch and cooked it over the open fire. I loved it and shared it with others. Bo was not as excited as I was…not a trout. But I love the taste of perch. Lake St Clair and Lake Erie are fished like crazy for perch. Preacher got a lake trout today, as well. I remember this night as being my favourite of the whole trip. It was still warmish at 9:00 pm at 13c … same temp as the water!
Sunset on Little Dickson.
Preacher got his out-back oven going to cook brownies for us. Thanks Preacher, that was great!
Our kitchen set-up.
Around 11:00 pm Preacher said he was going to sleep under the stars in his Bivy-sack. He slept under his tarp. I was wondering aboutthe little critters that come to visit during the night!
Preacher all tucked in for the night.
Bo and Sheila disappeared, leaving Markus, Dogbyte and myself to party-on. We went over to the waters-edge and sat on rocks to watch the stars. At some point, we saw a bright light come towards us and disappear. I thought it was a falling star or perhaps a UFO? Dogbyte thinks it was a satellite with mirrors moving about. We finally turned in around 2:00 am! What fun and laughs I had.