8/30/2015 kyle

8/30/15

                I woke up this morning at 5:30am got up and had everything ready to go by 7:45am. Everyone else were on time with the canoes loaded at 8am. We left at 8:05am got going it was cloudy with a bit of fog lingering above our heads. We got around the first turn and then noticed Jeff had not caught back up with us. So, we waited until we saw him before continuing on with the paddle. Later, to find out he could not find his kayak pad to sit on. Somehow it magically got legs and crawled back up by the dam in the middle of the Little Stony Portage.

                Once, we finally got on our way out into Dog Lake the wind began to pick up. We were already committed to following the left shore. Instead of the right which would have gave us some protection from the wind. As we continued on the waves got bigger and out in the middle of the late there were white caps breaking. As we approached a cove ahead we decided to pull in out of the wind and get a game plan for continuing on. We debated for at least one hour before finally coming to a conclusion that we would go for it. At this point in time I still was not very sure about it. The reasons I did not feel good was the wind speed was sustained at 5.5mph gusty to 12mph. Also the inexperience of myself and other group members. With the wind it was shifting so that it was going to be hitting our broad side. We paddled down along the peninsula which was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Until, we got the point where we had to cross about a half mile or so of open water. The waves were still at a pretty good height but not completely making white caps. We started across to Rabbit Island, my canoe was weighted unevenly and we had trouble steering. I was in the bow and Josh in the stern. At a few points the waves were hitting the gunnels in the bow of the boat. At that point I began to get a little more worried but we both powered through it and we made it. I was very happy to touch land after that long stressful day on the water. Which only was five hours. After we got done with setting up camp, lesson, and debrief. I ate some very good macaroni and a lot of cheese. Which was very delicious. With that I am glad we all made it today safe and sound and we have another big day ahead of us tomorrow.