The summer of 2001 and another Duke trip. This time with Mr. B., Mrs. L., and three students, Ben, Melissa and Megan. Mr. B. had a rental canoe, I had Old Green and Ben brought his 200 lb canoe!
A four hour drive up Hwy #11 and an easy put-in on the Tim River. After a short 45 minute paddle we arrived at the island on Tim Lake and set up our first camp. The next day we were up early as we had to paddle / portage to Big Bob Lake through Chibiabos Lake, Indian Pipe Lake, and West Koko Pond. Four portages totalling 2.3 km and it had to be done with Ben's 300 lb canoe (it gets heavier the more I tell the story). When we arrived at the far shore of West Koko Lake we all agreed to leave Ben's canoe behind rather than portage the 400 lb beast as we wouldn't need it to paddle the group to the camp site on Big Bob Lake. We all agreed, that is except for Ben who refused to leave the 400 lb canoe behind. When I got to the shore of Big Bob Lake I found the lake to be so shallow I could walk from the put-in to the camp site. Not Ben though, he had to paddle his canoe even though it took him twice as long since there was a strong North wind.
Needless to say we were completely bushed by the time we finally set up camp.
Once again we were up early and reversed course going out the same way as we went in. I don't recall the reverse trip being as bad as on the way in. That is probably because none of us would help Ben with his 600 lb canoe. The only memorable event happened when we were getting ready to leave in the morning. Mr. B. was in his canoe and his daughter was working her way down a slippery rock to get into the canoe. As luck would have it she slipped and slowly started to sink into the neck high water. As she did, she instinctively grabbed for the side of the canoe. Mr. B. started peeling her fingers off the side of the canoe before he was in jeopardy of having her tip him in the canoe. Mr. B. doesn't like to get wet, but really - it was his daughter sinking into the lake!
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