Canoe trip 2000 was a time for new experiences. For instance, before, we would leave around noon and catch a motel when we got near our destination. This year, just to save a few bucks on motels and restaurants, my brother went out and bought a 33 ft. motor home. What a cheapskate. Then instead of putting a rack on top, we modified his boat trailer to accommodate 2 canoes.

The second thing that was different was we invited two other people to join us on our summer frolic. My son's father in law and his buddy that I’ve known since high school. Oh--- what have I gotten my self into. Even with precise directions marked on a map in heavy red ink, they didn't show up for three days

Once across St. Regis Pond, we mounted the canoe on wheels for the two mi. carry to Fish Pond. Personally, I think the wheel should be mans best friend. Once settled into the south side leanto, we set out in search of our favorite berries, the blue variety. One patch lies on the carry between Fish and Little Fish Ponds.

We were just landing when the canoe suddenly started rocking violently. Not wanting to get too wet and being next to shore, I jumped out. The most amazing thing came out of that situation. My brother, who isn't one for going swimming, was doing a combination swan cannon ball dive off the bow. Funneeee! Well, we found some berries but we had to return to camp for dry cloths

That evening, after the usual camp grub, delicately prepared over glowing embers, we sat around listening to the quiet. The fire wood was neatly thrown into a pile , the dishes were done and the food was put up for the night. All we need now is,,,, o yea, that’s why we came up here.

Monday morning we awoke to a serious threat of rain. Quickly we erected the tarp over the leanto and out over the fire which Dwight decided to turn into a full blown bonfire, which nearly melted the tarp. Three loons out in the lake had been watching us and started laughing before moving on.

On the menu for lunch was hot fresh baked biscuits. Since nothing was "carried " in, we brought my Dutch oven. I put it in the fire to preheat and almost forgot that our whole supply of butter was still in it. Of course biscuits do require melted butter.

Since it rained most of the morning, All of the other campers had left leaving only the crazy campers. Wait a minute, something’s not right here, that would be us! O well, who else would take some sticks and try and make a sail for a canoe.

That afternoon, while the sun just happened to be out, we went in search of the wild and elusive blueberry. JACKPOT! The first bunch we found was along the carry to Little Fish Pond along with two deer that almost seemed tame, until we landed. To bad it wasn't hunting season.

Tuesday broke sunny, warm and breezy, just right for sailing. So I said to myself ," Why not try out your new sail? Good idea " I said . So off I went with sticks and tarp in hand. I gave Dwight the camera so he could capture the momentous occasion. After tying the rigging, The sail rose high and the canoe lurched forward. It was much more fun than I had expected but I did wish that it was a little winder.

While cruising around near the west end, we herd a noise like a canoe sliding down gravel and then BAM, like it hit a rock. Thinking some one might be in trouble, we checked out several carries in the area but found nothing.

That afternoon I hiked down to St. Regis Pond while Dwight took a nap. Lets see, what was I going to do besides eat blueberries, Oh Yea, I was going to ambush Steve and Rick. Time passed, blueberries disappeared, and no one showed up. It was all I could do to waddle back to camp. Some Boy Scouts did show up at the camp across the pond but left first thing Wednesday morning. Dwight still thinks that my socks might have had something to do with it.

For want of something to do, we explored the hidden pond at the west end. There, we discovered two piles of bear poop and a fresh bone. Now about that bone, there were several possibilities. It could have been some unfortunate animal such as a beaver or deer. Maybe even a duck. Or it could have been a CAMPER! What would you think? Moss, another person that we were suppose to meat up with hadn't appeared. Putting two and two together, we figured that a bear had grabbed him and ditched the canoe, accounting for the noise we had heard and the bone. Poor Moss! O well, were out of here before the bear has us for dessert.

That afternoon while I was out sailing again, Steve and Rick arrived and I watched them paddle around the pond checking out all the sites. Finally they found us ( as if we were hiding ) and wild trail adventures were swapped. So far they seem to tike this place but again, they have never been camping with me before

As we sat around sipping black been jouice ( coffee ) and discussing the various forms of wild life, such as huge bears and very large turtles, a mother loon swam by with her three chicks. Wanting to test Steves nerves, I waited till we were out gathering fire wood. I hid in the bushes and waited for him to come along the path and let out a vicious growl. You could see the chills run up and down his spine. The best part is I got him again ten minuets later

To help every one get acclimated, we took a hike up the creek then up the small mountain to the right. We also gathered a good supply of birch bark to take home with us.

There are a couple of things that might deserve special mention, such as the large batches of blueberry biscuits. Yum Yum. Then there was the time Steve was getting out of the canoe sending Rick head over heals into the pond for an unauthorized swim. We wanted them to reenact the flip so we could get some good pictures but all I got were some strange looks. Then we had to make the most of when Steve and Rick were taking a bath together. We did get pictures of that.

Friday was a big day. Isn’t it strange that when your just starting to have fun you half to leave? The first thing we did was to climb Fish Mountain. To our surprise we found blueberries up there. On the way down, some of us were doing some acrobatics. My part was this great split that I would regret for the next three weeks.

The sun was out that afternoon so we decided to go get some pictures of the sunken canoe. While crossing a steep carry, my hip gave out preventing me from walking for a while. O the pain! I had to just lye there and nibble blueberries for a while. Ouch-- yum---ouch----yum. The water was a little rough and we didn’t have good enough light to get any good pictures.

The last couple of nights had been cold but Saturday was really nice. Why not , we were leaving. We were almost all the way out when the berry bug bit and we paddled all the way back across St. Regis Pond to get more berries. While we were there I decided to get my camera and pack that I had left behind. No trip would be complete with out something going wrong. Half way across the last carry the canoe wheel frame bent almost stranding us there for the rest of the summer. A group of girls passed us while we were making repairs. I told them about the bear sign that we found and they seemed to leave a little faster. Couldn’t keep up with them. You don’t think it was my socks do you?

Until next year,,, HAPPY  CAMPING