Day 7 - Babcock Lake, Skoi Lake, Spectacle Lakes, Swan Lake & Bowron Lake

Today we portaged along Babcock Creek so that we would miss plummeting down the huge Cariboo Falls we saw yesterday. We left early to avoid any weather issues, but the best laid plans...

Initially we made very good time on the water. I was paddling with Adam in the stern, and I had pretty much perfected the forward stroke at this point. A previous rotator cuff injury in my left shoulder had left me a little concerned about today's paddle, and what do you know, it turns out I wasn't doing the forward stroke as efficiently as I could have. Who knew? Well, Adam did. He was a great help and motivator for me. By the time I was running like a well-oiled machine, I couldn't feel even as much as a twinge in my shoulder. Amazing what proper form does!

We had beautiful weather, and it was sunny and calm. That is, until somebody looked back over our shoulder and saw a huge storm approaching us. Ohboy, does that ever put the wind in your sails! Sure enough, a lightning storm hit the lakes. The protocol for a storm is to get off the water, and wait it out. Luckily it was not directly overhead, it was more in the mountains to our left. Still, that kind of thing can shift and change at any moment, and if it does, you don't want to be the highest point on the lakes, holding a metal-shafted paddle. Eep! We paddled along the shore, fighting wind and impending rain, always ready to make a move to safety if necessary. It was exciting and stressful.

The storm passed on our left and soon we were paddling in clear and calm weather again. We came around a bend to a special treat: a baby moose and its mama. We just sat, and relaxed, and watched them for a while. We felt so privileged to be able to be in their world for a few moments. The cameras were flying, and everyone was pretty dead silent. The wildlife really came out after that. We were accompanied by an eagle who flew circles around us as we continued our paddle down the lakes. We also saw a mama duck with a group of babies swimming around her. It was incredibly special.

We took a short hiatus at a site for a bathroom break (turns out I was the only one, eep!), and as we pulled up we noticed another rainstorm headed our way. You can imagine how fast people got moving. Being rained upon is a great motivator! Doug was yelling at us, Adam was pushing to move, and you could feel the urgency in the group. Everyone wanted to get to our campsite.

Once we arrived at our site (#50), we had a discussion and a decision to make. We could set-up camp for the day and stay our last night as planned, or we could soldier on. The rest of the paddling would take us to the end of the trip, although it would be several more hours. Most people wanted to go ahead, myself included, even though I was already exhausted. We just felt like we were on a roll, and even though it probably meant spending money on a hotel room for the night, it sounded really attractive.

We ate some lunch and some people switched partners. I was now paddling with Peter in the stern. We headed off to begin the last few hours of paddling, which turned out to be harder than I thought. Peter & I were the last boat to launch, and the sweep boat (with Laureen & Doug) were waiting for us. Everyone else was ahead of us, but I was enjoying myself too much to care. We paddled through the end of the lake and into a marshy area, where we came upon another treat! A young moose bathing in the river. He kept his eye on us, all the while giving us a show. It was pretty majestic.

Anyone who has ever been out of their element physically knows how hard it is to push yourself and work as hard as you can to catch up to your group, only to have them push off again and leave you behind as you struggle to catch your breath. That's what the last leg was like for our 2 boats. We worked hard to catch up, and our group who had had a nice little break & snack while waiting for us, were rested and ready to go once we arrived. We never really got a chance for a break, and it showed. It was incredibly frustrating, actually. But, people were spurred on to reach the end, and it also looked like some more inclement weather was headed our way.

And so it was, and in full-force, too. Our two boats got blown apart from the group as they paddled away from us. We were in super-choppy water with a heavy headwind. At first it was distressing that the rest of our group seemed to be such small specks on the horizon (we had so far to go!), but we supported each other, talked and encouraged. There was no point in despairing when there was work to do! Nobody's going to get you out of this except yourself! And so we re-started that well-oiled machine and hunkered down. Soon enough we re-joined our group, and finally, we all took a break together at the shore side.

The last bit of paddling took us down Bowron Lake and to the beginning where we started. We cheered a little as we hauled our boats out of the water, and did our last portage to the parking lot. We packed up gear, cleaned up garbage, hoisted canoes back onto people's vehicles, changed into different clothes, and finally met as a group with Lance for a short & sweet presentation of certificates. Yes, I got certified! My certificate says that I have successfully completed the Recreational Canoeing Association of BC's Paddler's Course as a Basic Tandem, Advanced Tandem and Tripping Paddler. Woohoo! Yay me.

All of us except two drove to Quesnel and had dinner at Boston Pizza. It was the best food I'd had in my life! Then Quina, Erin and I drove to Williams Lake and stayed in the Coast Hotel where I had the best shower in my life! And then the best sleep of my life on the best bed!

The biggest thing that I came out of this trip with is a huge sense of gratitude. I'm so grateful that I could do this trip. Out of all 14 participants, everyone had either done the trip before, was an camping/outdoor enthusiast, or was fairly athletic. I fit in none of those categories, and I didn't let it stop me. I was able to succeed with the support of my friends and colleagues. The fact that it was a struggle at times has given me confidence about what I am able to accomplish, and more importantly, the great things that can happen when people come together and support one another. I'm proud to work in a district where there are opportunities like this for kids, and I feel like I can be an advocate where I couldn't be before.

I am also grateful for the clean drinking water we have at home, the relative absence of mosquitoes, the fresh food and vegetables I have available to me, and have a total appreciation for pioneers and settlers to this country. My little trip doesn't even begin to touch the hardship, struggle and strife they must have encountered.

My deepest gratitude goes out to my colleagues and friends from this trip. It was an experience like none other, and I'll never forget it!



(Day 7 photos here.)