Whitewater Rafting Weekend at the Ottawa River

by David Arama

An adventure-hungry group of Outdoor Pursuiters descended on the River-Run rafting resort near Ottawa, with very high expectations. We were rewarded with pouring rain and cool temperatures on the Saturday (first day), but that didn't fizzle the group's spirits! We enjoyed some nature-lore and hiking, canoeing, and excellent food. The hot sauna was a nice touch to the end of the day. As nightfall descended, the party began!

Even the racoons were in a festive mood as they joined us at our cabins. Someone decided that a good way to discourage the racoons from attacking our party food and beverage table was to soak a plate of crackers with rum (several ounces). Meanwhile, another group of rafting adventurers nearby was celebrating a wedding. We joined them at their campfire, and combined our guitars and singing (and enjoyment of a few beverages) to produce a somewhat loud, boisterous gathering. At approximately 2 a.m., most of us turned in realizing that we had a challenging day of whitewater rafting ahead of us. The wedding group also decided to turn in shortly thereafter, but somehow forgot to take the large wedding cake (for 50 people) inside.

Rising early the next morning, I made my way to the breakfast buffet, somewhat drowsy from the previous day's events. Passing by the wedding group's campsite, I witnessed a scene that I will never forget. The racoons had devoured the entire wedding cake, and all that was left was a pile of racoon scat! There was pieces of cake scattered on tops of cars, tents, trailers, and everywhere you looked!!!! I can only imagine what the first racoon was thinking upon stumbling onto the huge wedding cake.

Most likely one of the drunken racoons who had devoured the rum-soaked crackers, it must have sent out a call to his/her compatriots, resulting in a charge of racoons never seen before in the history of racoon attacks! Needless to say, the morning got off to a roaring start, filled with uncontrollable laughter not seen before in these parts.

At 9 a.m., we boarded the bus for the ride down to the rafting launching point. The real adventure and challenge was about to begin. Five hours of frothing rapids awaited our twelve-person raft. What happened next is indescribable.......incredible scenery along the majestic Ottawa River, boiling rapids, and great fun. Two sets of rapids will be forever remembered by our group of modern-day Voyageurs: the Coliseum (third largest commercially-run rapids in North America), and the Molester, a nasty sous-hole. We drank lots of water at both sets of rapids, and lost a few participants in the Molester.

If you haven't tried whitewater rafting, my recommendation is TRY IT!!!!!x

Summer Trip Highlights

by David Arama

During a McRae Lake canoe trip, we saw several racoons, a beaver, and a tremendous thunderstorm. At times during the thunderstorm, we prayed for forgiveness to the storm gods (many times, we could hear the thunder and see the flash at the same time, indicating that the lightning was hitting within a few meters of our campsite).

The backpacking trip to Moon Falls was very challenging, and the scenery breathtaking, especially near the falls. The group practiced orienteering skills, and was rewarded with some precise bearings to destinations.

One unlucky camper found out why you should hang your food pack away from a tree-trunk, ideally suspended from a large branch, or between two trees. The critters devoured everything that was delicious, leaving only the non-perishable hard foods (staples) that one normally eats only when desperate!

And, one lucky minnow at McRae Lake found out about watching out for humans! A camper one evening scooped a potfull of water from the lake and set it onto the camp stove to boil for macaroni. Peeking in later to check progress, the camper found a minnow swimming around in the semi-heated brew! The steamy minnow made it safely back to the lake, and ... the macaroni was ... ummm ... not bad at all!

Newsworthy

by David Arama

The Ministry of Natural Resources has approved the construction of a steel bridge over the waterfalls that connects McDonald Lake and McRae Lake. The application was put forth by the O.F.S.C. for use by snowmobilers and A.T.V.er's. Most of the general public is unaware of this decision, and will be surprised at the impact when the bridge is constructed i.e. access by motorized vehicles, increased environmental impact, and ruined scenery.

The "Survivor" television series created quite a stir in the outdoor's industry. C.B.C. Radio stations across Canada interviewed yours truly, regarding the "realistic" aspects of the show. If you want my opinion, the show was a typical Hollywood production, complete with low morals and ethics about life in general. The message to kids was not a good one i.e. destroy your fellow man/woman to win in life ( one million dollar prize in this case). Furthermore, we try to discourage people from becoming lost in the wilderness. According to search and rescue experts, when a lost person is missing for more than five or six days, they are usually presumed to have perished.

The debate over whether to allow some limited, specific hunting in Provincial Parks continues to rage on. Hunters argue that when/where allowed, the limited hunting activities will not interfere with other outdoor recreational activities. While I have nothing against hunting when it's done legally, I feel that Parks should be for preservation and passive recreation. There is plenty of Crown Lands for hunting, in my humble opinion.