We had arrived at the Crotch Lake entry point later than I had anticipated (we just had to have an hour long sit-down lunch on the way) and I was already beginning to feel a slight urgency to get started. Finally, at about 3 pm, we were underway and two portages later, we arrived at Booth Lake with the sun low in the sky. Worried about finding a decent site, setting up camp, and making dinner before it got too dark, I wanted to paddle to the nearest shore where there were lovely sites right along the beach. It was not to be, however, as locating a site had been complicated by the park staff while checking in. They had informed our group that the nice sites along the beach had been recently visited by a bear and her cubs and though we were not to worry since the bear wasn't aggressive we should take precautions not to leave food around. Despite their assurance that we would be fine, Mrs. L remained unconvinced and our group was forced to paddle around the entire lake looking for an alternative site. This exercise in futility meant that the sun was almost touching the horizon by the time we paddled back to the beach sites and yours truly had become very annoyed. It was now very late in the day as we were setting up the tents and the mosquitoes were out in force and they were hungry. As for me, I had reverted to a target locked mentality. I was bound and determined on getting the tents up and supper started before the sun set. I was barking directions at the kids who were just standing around looking lost. Suffice it to say I was not in a charitable mood when suddenly from behind me I felt a tap on my shoulder. As I turned to see who had dared to bother me, I heard a phrase uttered by Mrs. L. that I don't believe any other canoeist in the world has heard in their lifetime. "Would you like an hors d'oeuvre?", she politely enquired. There she was standing with an out stretched arm holding a plate of fancy tidbits. I don't think I yelled at her but it must have been close.
After the tents were up I started on dinner. I had intended to make my world famous sausage stew. Unfortunately I was not able to get the proper sausages beforehand and had to settle for extremely hot Italian sausages. Dinner was a disaster - it was so hot I think only one person could finish the stew. An unfortunate side affect of consuming this fiery stew I would discover upon bedtime. After dinner I had begun to relax and the group sat around the fire and enjoyed what remained of the evening.
The original plan had been for the four adults to all sleep in one tent with the five kids in another. I had stayed up later than all the other adults and when I went to the tent I was confronted with three snoring adults with bums facing upwards emanating all sorts of sounds and odours. I just couldn't see myself getting into that tent let alone falling asleep. After some deliberation I told the kids I was going to sleep in the canoe and asked them to cover me up once I had wiggled myself to a prone position within the canoe. Since there was a light rain, the students complied and completely covered me with an extra tarp we had brought along. I'm not going to say it was a comfortable sleep but it was certainly better than inside the foul smelling adult tent.
The next day, after deciding to remain on the site, the group did a day long circular loop trip which included four ugly portages. We arrived back at the site later that day very weary from our efforts. I don't recall much about the next night nor the return trip on the third day, but all in all, it was a great outing. The attached photo is of Dr. K. trying to put on his skirt for his attempt at kayaking.
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