Grub Menu for 2022

One Week (7 day) Grub Menu for 2022

For 2022 I am packing enough grub for four months.  All grocery supplies are off-the-shelf items.

I drink hot water alone with supper, and cold or hot water for other meals.  Water is sterilized by boiling for one minute or by a filtration system. The latter removes bacteria and parasites (but not viruses, so is technically not sterilized).

This year I am using Clif® Builders® Vanilla Almond and Crunchy Peanut Butter bars instead of the Pure Protein® bars.  I am glad to find the Clif® Builders® bars to replace the latter which contain artificial sweeteners maltitol and sucralose (except for the Lemon Cake and Vanilla Almond flavours).  This year I am using up some Pure Protein® bars but the following year will replace them in the supper menu with the Clif® Whey Protein Salted Caramel Cashew 56g (14g protein) bar.  I am able to buy the protein bars used in the following menu online at Amazon.ca.  There are other protein bars with at least 20g of protein that contain a lot of chocolate to which I have sadly become intolerant (along with coffee, tea and booze).  There are also other good protein bars with 20g of protein that I have tested but cannot buy large quantities in Canada.  Another reason to avoid chocolate-coated bars is that they tend to melt, as do those containing caramel.

I use Brunswick® canned sardines, any of those that provide the highest level of nutrition based on their content labels: sardines in olive oil, or in lemon sauce, or in soy oil (plain label, not gold can), or with hot peppers.  (The others are tasty but provide less total nutrition for the same weight and volume.)

This year I am substituting ghee for butter in three supper dishes; Nanak Desi brand is available in 400g plastic bottles and does not require refrigeration.  To avoid having to store butter in coolers which have to be kept cool and safe from bears, I am adding butter directly to the pre-mixed bannock mix, contents listed below.

Average daily nutritional intake based on this 2022 menu:

4505 calories, 385g total carbohydrates, 51g fibre, 237g total fat, 208g protein

Breakfast - 7 days:

protein bar Clif® Builders® Vanilla Almond 68g (20g protein)

1/4 bannock cold or hot if freshly baked (See contents below.)

Breakfast - 5 days:

seed mixture 1/4c (hemp hearts, chia, buckwheat toasted, pumpkin shelled roasted salted)

peanut butter smooth 1tbsp

Breakfast - 2 days:

grated Parmesan cheese 1/4c

real bacon crumbled 1/4c (stores well unrefrigerated if not aliquoted until first used, months 1 and 3, for two months at a time)

Lunch - 7 days:

protein bar Clif® Builders® Crunchy Peanut Butter 68g (20g protein)

1/4 bannock cold

vitamins

almonds roasted salted 1/4c

Mini Babybel™ cheese 20g (stores well in its wax cover unrefrigerated if cloth wrapped to protect from damage)

Excel® (Eclipse® in USA) sugar-free gum

Supper - daily:

grated Parmesan cheese 1/4c (most dishes)

protein bar Pure Protein® 50g (20g protein: Birthday Cake, Strawberry or Lemon Cake; or 21g protein Vanilla Almond)

fresh salad 3c (most commonly: fireweed; or alder, birch or willow leaves/catkins)

fresh fruit if available 1/2c

    (lingonberries, bunchberries, blueberries, red currants, raspberries, highbush cranberries, cloudberries, rose hips, Saskatoon berries, pin cherries, crowberries, bilberries)

Supper - 1 day:

macaroni and real cheese 2c (Kraft™ Deluxe Original Cheddar or Four Cheese 400g)

Supper - 2 days:

oriental noodles 2x85g

or stuffing mix 120g

Brunswick® sardines 106g can (in soy oil plain label, olive oil, or lemon sauce, or hot peppers)

Supper - 1 day:

orzo 3/4c (plus nutritional yeast 1tbsp, chicken soup base 1tbsp)

fish fried (coated with cornmeal 1/8c, Montreal steak spice 1tbsp), fried in Crisco™ shortening (1/2lb saved and used over a period of two weeks)

Supper - 1 day:

fried fish sauteed in ghee with couscous (See recipe below.)

Supper - 2 days:

fish chowder (fish diced, boiled in double the usual amount water before adding potato flakes 1c or cooked bulgur 3/4c (each with added nutritional yeast 1tbsp, chicken soup base 1tbsp) plus Parmesan cheese 1/4c and ghee 2tbsp

OR

small game instead of fish (roasted over coals, or meat sliced and sauteed in shortening 1tbsp)

Bannock ("Butter" Bannock):

4-1/4c (~560g) premixed before the trip (whole-wheat flour 1c, currants 1/2c, Purity® cornmeal 1/4c, quick rolled oats 1/4c, chickpea flour 1/4c, skim milk powder 1/4c, dark toasted wheat germ 2tbsp, white wheat bran 2tbsp, baking powder 2tsp, sugar 1tsp, salt 1/2tsp, butter 6tbsp, Crisco™ shortening 6tbsp).  Add 1/4c cold potable water to make soft dough, mixing with a spoon then kneading.  Sprinkle a thin layer of 1tsp cornmeal in mixing pan before flattening the dough.  Bake 350°F for 30 minutes, or slanted in pan in front of fire.  I premix batches of eight bannocks at a time and package in doubled medium Ziploc® bags, stored 4 per large Ziploc® bags.

Sauteed fried pike recipe:

Sautee previously fried pike in 2tbsp ghee, turning to coat both sides.  Break up the fish into small pieces.  Add a mixture of 1/4c Parmesan cheese, 1tbsp sugar, 1tsp lemon pepper, half the mixture sprinkled on one side before turning.  Add the other half before turning again.  Next add 3/4c whole-wheat couscous (cooked in 1-1/4c boiling water with added 1tbsp nutritional yeast, 1tbsp chicken soup base), mixing with the fish to soak up the ghee.

Central Saskatchewan Overview 2022

Although I had planned a 16 week stay, my 2022 canoe trip starting on May 29 ends on August 17 after 12 weeks because of two forest fires on my route.

The return trip follows most of the same inbound route, along the east side of central Saskatchewan and west side of Manitoba as far north as the Churchill River.  This area is covered with northern boreal forest underlaid with a thin layer of soil on the rock of the Canadian Shield, much of it completely exposed.  Beautiful country!  One portage I hoped to take to reach the Churchill River was not passable and I could not find a safe nearby place to set up camp in order to clear the long 2½ km trail; I had planned to then canoe downstream before starting the return.

This year there is only one black bear encounter, with no negative effects to either party.  I am lucky to see several interesting animals including moose.  The instance that makes the deepest impression though is that of a mink surfacing on a rock spit where I was about to have a bath at camp 24.  He lands, scampers up beside me, we look at each other while I keep perfectly still.  He finally decides it is safe so goes back to the point and hauls his catch, a burbot longer than he, dragging it held in his mouth beside his body.  He disappears into the bush on an often frequented trail to eat his meal in peace.  An awesome experience.  At the same location a bald eagle all of a sudden dives down to make a pass at a fish in the lake nearby.  She grabs it but then fumbles and the fish drops into the water.  The eagle swoops back around twice over the spot before flying away empty handed.  At camp 16 several times I witness at least 50 white pelicans contrasted with the same number of pitch black cormorants landing together, the pelicans taking advantage of the diving cormorants to snatch an easy meal.

Fishing is excellent, catching 37 walleye and 36 northern pike, easily satisfying my need for four fish meals per week.  Walleye success is excellent, especially at camps near four waterfalls but I am lucky also to camp at two spots where the fishing in the channels from shore exceeds my expectations.  Most suppers are supplemented with salad, either greens (fireweed, or early on leaves or catkins of birch, alder, willow) or berries (red currants, raspberries, bunchberries, blueberries).  At one camp I harvest more than my share of Saskatoon berries, eaten at every meal plus while picking, turning fingers, lips (and scat) deep purple.

Distance paddled is 376 km, including 35 km extra searching for campsites or escaping wind.  Number of portages is 21, for a total length of 4950 metres ranging from 10 to 600 metres, a relatively short distance.  This year because of high water levels, some portages are flooded, one 600 metre portage at camp 5 in particular requires wading down a 200 metre stretch while carrying loads and pulling the canoe, not a pleasant walk repeated multiple times.  I dub it "river road" while humming the Crystal Gayle song of that name; the "Yo, heave ho!" Volga Boatmen song would have been equally apt.

Fortunately there is not a repeat of the multiple terribly hot heat waves of last season.  Mosquitoes, blackflies and others were particularly bad this year requiring the use of mosquito coils in either tent much of the time and headnet outdoors.  The bugs are a small price to pay compared to last year's high temperatures.  Strong winds force stretches of hard paddling, making me windbound often.  At times I paddle continuously for hours to make sure I do not become windbound, not even stopping for breakfast or lunch sometimes.

Although experiencing some smoke in the air at various times, I have no smoke inhalation issues like last year when I was surrounded by smoke constantly and could not stop coughing.  Conversely there are two major forest fires this year that affect my trip.  The first starts at the Churchill River close to my route where I see smoke seven days before reported on the web site.  At camp 14 I am within a few kilometres of the very active fire where I witness flames consuming trees, the strong wind spreading embers to multiple spots towards my area; smoke is belching up high into the sky.  Because the fire is so close I decide it is time to retreat.  I am concerned about thick smoke coming from the opposite direction but Jeanette is able to decipher that the source is probably some distance up the Churchill at another fire.  Jeanette also informs me of another fire indicated on the map close to the Churchill River directly on my route as I leave camp 14; I pass the area with no smoke seen.  Jeanette reports that the second major fire though is directly in my path much farther south on both sides of a lake narrows I will paddle through and is indicated to be active and growing.  She advises not getting too close until she sees reports about where the fire is headed and hopefully when it is safe to proceed.  Jeanette also reports that the Churchill River fire that I fled is growing much bigger, confirming that it was good that I left.  By the time I stay at camp 22 for a few days Jeanette says the fire map shows the narrows fire is "contained" so it should be safe to proceed.  When I reach the narrows after leaving camp 23 I pass through where the fire jumped the lake with still many smoldering hot spots puffing up smoke.  At camp 24 south of the fire area as I look back, smoke starts billowing up high in the sky so I am glad that I decided to continue heading out to my vehicle.  I really appreciate Jeanette's expertise with deciphering the fire maps for Saskatchewan and Manitoba; this illustrates the value of new technology that we did not have a few years ago.

New replacement equipment proves its worth and includes: Helinox Incline Festival Chair (finally a sturdy light weight collapsible chair), Silky Big Boy 2000 Professional (a sturdy light weight folding saw with a very sharp effective blade, better than the bow saws I have carried for years), Great-West Metal Ltd 18" sheet metal Air Tight Heater wood stove (the fourth replacement, each lasting for 10 years), Marmot Men's PreCip Eco Full Zip Pants XL (replacement rain pants that can be donned while wearing boots), Luxspire Bike Casual Crossbody Messenger Bag writing bag (the best bag I have ever used), various replacement small equipment.

This being the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, now on a welcome downward trend, I again selected a route that requires minimal involvement of third parties.  After returning home I have now received the fifth COVID-19 vaccination, probably looking to receive an annual booster as with the flu shot. 

A follow-up report on my return home is in an "Afterword", with the camp 25 post.  It summarizes the extent of the forest fires affecting my route, and the diagnosis of my shoulder injury occurring when I fall on the first portage.

As always, no matter the problems faced, I look back fondly on the trip and forward to next season's journey.  Although it is great to be back home, I never feel better than when in the north country away from "civilization".  

Central Saskatchewan 2022 Camp 1 (May 29-Jun 3)

 

May 29 at 09:52, starting my trip down the first lake against a stiff headwind.  The drive here from Prince Albert was through heavy rain and fog.  Fortunately, the rain stops just as I arrive.

Later, on May 29, the view from my campsite down the lake in the direction I will continue.

The weather continues cool and rainy through the next four days, finally clearing on June 3.

Landing at the first campsite, three km from start point.

Salad for supper every day is young birch leaves (above) and alder catkins (below).

The canvas Tent and stove are welcome in the cool wet weather with temperatures just above freezing.  I erect a tarp to be able to saw stovewood protected from rain.

I have always used a bow saw for clearing trails and campsites and cutting stovewood and firewood, but last season even a new blade did not perform well (presumably because of poor blade quality).  As a replacement with a stiffer sharper blade I am using a "Silky Big Boy 2000 Professional" saw, that soon proves its worth.

Dissatisfied with my ability to sharpen the axe with a file, I used the services of a professional blade sharpener.  Thanks to Brent Highfield of High Tech Services http://hightechservices.ca/ for such an excellent job.  I now realize the axe never had the proper bevel angle and the difference in performance is impressive, only having to lightly file occasionally to touch it up.

A new 18" Great-West Metal "Air-Tight Stove", the fourth in as many decades. The old stove had a burned out liner after 10 years of use.  Retail stoves were not available in the spring because of supply chain issues for raw material due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but thanks to Marcus Williams of Great-West Metal http://www.greatwestmetal.com/ for managing to ship me one of the few remaining in the production warehouse.

Looking for a lighter compact replacement for my old camp chair, I purchased a "Helinox Incline Festival Chair" that works well, having feet that do not sink into the ground and no hinge parts to break.  Initially I used a piece of closed-cell foam to line the seat but found it unnecessary.  I use a towel to line the seat to help keep it clean.

A new "Writing Bag" ("Luxspire Bike Casual Crossbody Messenger Bag"), the best I have ever had, sturdy and with good storage pockets.

My MEC "Aquanator Rain Jacket" purchased last year has proven to be not only economical but sturdy and functional, rain quickly and easily beading off it.

**********************

Summary:

Inauspicious beginning due a dead vehicle battery.  Wet cold weather delay made comfortable with canvas Tent and wood stove.  Welcome addition of some new equipment.  Distance travelled three km.

Preamble:

I decided to do a canoe trip in the eastern central region of Saskatchewan and western Manitoba bordering the Churchill River.  This is a route I have done before.  In 2017 I started a circle route but just south of the Churchill River had to fly out because of forest fire, unfortunately having to abandon my canoe on a small island.  In 2018 I completed the last leg of the trip by paddling in with my old Grumman aluminum canoe to retrieve the cached Clipper (still my current boat).  This route is more practical than some other journeys during the COVID-19 pandemic.  I think this trip will be a somewhat relaxing one with lots of good walleye fishing.  Hopefully next year I will complete my 2019 trip via a different route to get across the height of land, but with COVID-19 still active this year, the parking and transportation requirements are more complex.  (The 2019 trip could not be completed because the river I had to ascend was too high to wade, too fast to paddle, too wide into the bush to line.)

May 28:

Up 03:50 to get an early start, I take my daily walk after exercising and am ready to leave by 08:30 for the long drive to Prince Albert.  The van packed the day before, I say goodbye to Jeanette, turn the ignition key ... the vehicle will not start ... dead battery.  Aie!  I had thought about changing the battery but figured it would be good until autumn.  As Jeanette says, when you think you should do something, usually best to do it.  Luckily the NAPA Auto Parts dealer has the correct battery and after installing the new unit I leave by 10:00.

May 29:

Up before 04:00, I leave the Prince Albert hotel by 05:30.  There is a very dense fog for the first hour, followed by heavy rain all the way to my destination, arriving by 09:00.  On the drive I spot three black bears, three elk, a whitetail deer and dozens of young snowshoe hares, a good omen.  Taking a chance on rain, I do not cover the canoe load to paddle the three km to where I plan to camp.  For my introduction to the first paddle of the year, there is a brisk north headwind, which is responsible for the wet cool weather.  The campsite looks unused since I last was here in 2018 when I travelled in with my old Grumman to retrieve the current canoe left behind in 2017.  Because of the inclement weather I erect the canvas Tent thinking I may be here for a while.  Starting a fire to boil water for supper, I put up the Tarp shelter to eat protected from the rain that has been falling all afternoon.  The Tarp ropes are not in an ideal location but with a suspension pole underneath, the shelter is adequate.  Weary and tired after two days of driving I am in bed by 19:30 to the sound of falling rain which continues all night.

May 30 :

After midnight I have to get up to go to the bathroom, unfortunately not to just use the pee-can, a rare occurrence.  Aie!  My routine over the last three days has changed, the diet has been different and my body has not adjusted.  In my long underwear pyjamas, I pull on boots and raincoat and don headlamp.  It is cool and raining but at least I do not have to worry about mosquitoes yet.  I am not about to dig a hole in the rain, so I make my way to the fireplace; I can place toilet gear under the Tarp shelter to keep dry.  I will bury the evidence in the morning.  The ground looks like it has snowed, but it is reindeer lichen standing up full and whitish wet from the rain.  Regardless, I know I will erect the stove first thing.  By morning I am snuggled in my down sleeping bag.  Up by 06:00, late for me and a long time in bed, I feel well rested.  It is 8°C, overcast, raining, with a light north wind.  First priority is the stove, finding some soil for in and under it, sawing stovewood and splitting some kindling.  With damp gear and clothing hanging in the Tent to dry, I bake bannock for breakfast, using too much water and having to add cornmeal to thicken.  After felling several dead spruce trees, I saw a pile of stovewood, and trim spruce branches to line the doorway, removed from the trees cut yesterday for Tent poles.  While in the Tent, I complete a number of puzzles and update my journal.  To bed by 20:30, I had thought to let the stove die, but with the continuing rain, strong north wind and cold, I am up every couple of hours to stock the stove, damper only open a small amount.  With the stove on, I sleep in just the light fleece shell.

May 31:

A stiff north wind, making the 8°C temperature feel even colder, blows in some blue sky which does not last very long, reverting to very dark grey clouds, dropping some rain in the afternoon.  Stove on all day, I saw more stovewood to keep up.  My second bannock on the stove is more successful having figured out to use only ¼ cup water, but still breaks up when I turn it to bake the other side.  The bannock mix is revised to incorporate butter so I do not have to bring it separately (after a bear took the two butter coolers last year).  However, with double the shortening/butter in the mix it is quite crumbly and will take some experimentation to perfect the baking process.  From my journal: "Aie!  The bannock with melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon was WAY better!!!"  It rains intermittently all night, sometimes quite heavy.

June 1:

Waking to rain, it is a very cloudy windy 3°C, still a north wind bringing in this weather.  From my journal: "Thank goodness for canvas Tent and stove!  Any time I think to not bring them (to save two packs, one portage load), I remember times like this and reconsider!"  Because of the continuing rain, I erect a tarp over my makeshift sawhorse of fallen trees in order to saw stovewood.  Although the rain keeps up all day, I manage to fell more stovewood poles with the protection of my hat and rain jacket, but hang all exterior clothes to dry in the Tent.  Feeding the stove every two hours after bedtime, the damper is open ¼ to give enough heat (door and window closed).

June 2:

Up by 06:30, there are only some coals in the stove.  It is cool in the Tent and the thermometer shows why at only 2°C.  Adding stovewood and opening the damper wide, the Tent soon warms.  It rained all night which continues intermittently throughout the day, at one point being sleet.  The wind is cold still from the north, very cloudy, temperature rising in the afternoon to 6°C.  The ground is soggy wet but at least it did not snow.  Over breakfast, I read a quote in Reader's Digest from comedian Evan Kessler making me chuckle every time I think of it: "Did you know you have the right to remain silent even when not being arrested?"  We should all abide by this more often.  I have to gather and saw more wood after which my damp clothes hang to dry in the warm Tent.  After lunch I have a hot shower outside, the bag hanging from a nearby tree; I half-fill the 10 litre shower bag with cold water, then top up with water brought to a boil.  From my journal: "Last shower was in hotel five days ago.  Aah ... feels so much better."  I do more puzzles in the Tent, bringing enough for two per day.  Sun pops through clouds a few times, with a few blue patches and white cumulus showing through all the grey, but there is still a strong north wind, against which would be hard paddling.

June 3:

During the night I noticed how quiet it became after the wind finally died down.  Up by 05:30, it is calm and sunny in a mostly blue sky with mist rising off the lake at 3°C.  Midday temperature rises to 15°C dropping to 11°C by suppertime, a beautiful evening.  Getting antsy to move on, I take a long walk through thick bush spotting crows, a junco and a sparrow.  I have not had to fish yet, as I pack enough hard cheese for the first week.  Instead of butter for dishes like stuffing mix, I use ghee which is okay, but not as tasty.  Prepacking as much gear as possible, then to bed by 19:50, my alarm is set for 03:00 for an early start tomorrow to hopefully move on after sitting the weather out for six days.

Central Saskatchewan 2022 Camp 2 (Jun 4 - 7)

Up at 03:00, 5°C,  I start a fire to warm up and heat some water to accompany a cold breakfast.  Note the pile of ashes dumped from the stove into the fireplace; they and the fire will be doused well with water before leaving.

Heading down the lake from camp 1.

As the lake narrows near its exit, I approach the portage which goes past a trapper's "cabin".

The lower end of the first portage, 100 metres long.  With high water levels, I am able to progressively push the canoe out as it gets loaded so as to avoid getting water over my boot tops.

Winding through a thick growth of last year's cattails.  Coming back through them when I return in the autumn will not likely be as easy.

Paddling down an unnamed lake to the next portage.

The lower end of the second portage at the bottom of a steep hill.  Because of the elevated water level, I am able to take a shorter 60 metre trail instead of the 100 metre one I will probably have to use on my return.

Moving on down a meandering creek through more cattails to the next lake.

Reaching the outlet of the lake to the third 100 metre portage which bypasses rapids ending in a waterfall that is a very full, fast and noisy cataract.  The falls runs over the crossways rock ledge below in two places.

June 4 has been a long day and I erect the nylon tent for the night.  The next day I put up the canvas Tent, thinking that the cold wet weather will resume.

My first fish, a northern pike, along with a fresh salad for supper (young birch leaves, alder catkins, dandelion greens and flowers).

American white pelicans keep me company for the duration of my stay.

A bald eagle often sits at the base of the falls overlooking the pelicans.

**********************

Summary:

On the second portage I fall hard on my right arm and shoulder with a loud crack, making for sore lifting, paddling and even sleeping.  A bald eagle and up to 17 pelicans keep me company.  Catch my first fish for supper.  Travel 14 km, with three portages (60, 100, 100 metres), a long day.

June 4:

Waking to a cold morning, in addition to two shirts, I don hat and bandana around my neck.  After packing sleep gear, I start a warming fire.  This year, instead of a short T-shirt under a heavier long-sleeved shirt I am wearing a light long-sleeved button-up shirt with a collar.  This shirt will help protect my arms from scratches and burns and the collar can be turned up against the sun.  The heavy shirt, the same style as the light one, is extra-large (XL) size to better cover my wrists and waist and the sleeves slip on my arms without undoing the cuff buttons.  The light shirts are "dress" ones I used when still working but I have to undo the cuffs to get them on which is a pain, and the tails tend to come out of my jeans; next year I will buy XL size.  No fashion statement from me.  Unfortunately, manufacturers are adding spandex to new shirts which make them hotter.  Thank goodness I can still buy 100% cotton jeans; I have used jeans with spandex and they are uncomfortably clingy and hot.  Back to the Tent, I pack all gear and carry to the landing to load the canoe before eating breakfast.  Leaving at 07:30, 4½ hours after rising, is much too long but that will improve as I get into a routine.  As I paddle to the first portage, I pass several ducks madly quacking as they lift off.  Water levels are high after a big snowfall winter, and the creek flowing past the portage is deep and fast.  I momentarily consider running it, but there are boulders midstream and a big drop over an old beaver dam.  The first 100 metre portage is routine, the usual grunt work.

Moving on to the second 100 metre portage I see that it would be necessary to wade while loading the canoe at the lower end.  So, I check the shorter 60 metre trail down a steep rock hill where I will be able to load the canoe without getting wet.  After placing some beaver cut poles to allow me to skid the canoe across a rock at water's edge at the shorter portage, I relaunch to paddle another 20 metres closer, turning around to back stern-first to shore.  From my journal: "Should have cut out some of the willows beside the canoe (as I did after the fact).  While stepping out of the canoe with a pack I tripped over a willow branch and landed hard on my right arm and shoulder.  Aie!  Heard a loud crack and my first thought was a broken bone.  Aie!  I was and am sore but everything seems to move OK, just painfully.  Perhaps the crack was my body breaking branches?  Then I got out pruners and saw and trimmed the offending branches plus several alder and birch across the trail on shore.  Too late!  Aie!  Was able to hoist packs and barrels with some difficulty as my arm rebelled.  Especially because of my shoulder I pulled the canoe down the trail, but probably would have anyway as it is quite steep.  Trail is relatively smooth on rock and grass.  On my way again was concerned about paddling but managed OK although sore, just sucked it up.  Consider myself lucky.  Older self should have known better.  Lesson learned!  Was a double whammy ... not clearing the brush, but even more problematic my habit of carrying heavy gear in or out of the canoe while stepping over the gunwale.  Should lift gear in or out and then step over.  A bad habit eventually catches up to you."  Even after this accident I catch myself, a creature of habit, still stepping over the gunwale while hoisting a pack.  Aie!

The canoe must be loaded from the stern end while the canoe floats in the water out from shore; this is always more difficult than if canoe tied at both ends along shore as I have to place gear into the tippy canoe then carry forward.  Because the lower end of the steep trail enters directly into the lake, I must set the barrels directly on the muddy bottom, twisting the barrel back and forth until level enough to stay standing; then I can hoist one at a time into the stern and walk it to its location towards the bow.  I paddle down the winding creek thickly bordered by cattails and other reeds.  The north wind has been picking up so when I hit the next lake it is a direct headwind.  Hungry for lunch, I pull towards the lee of a small rock point for lunch.  Attempting to back in along the rockface, fallen trees in the water and the strong wind say otherwise so I have to make an ungraceful long curving exit into the lake again to paddle bow first along the shore facing the direction I have come.  I find paddling on the right side of the canoe is more painful than the left, so am thankful that I fell on my right shoulder, even though that is my dominant arm, as I usually paddle mostly on the left side.

Continuing on I paddle a less direct route to the west side of a long island hoping to get some relief from the wind, but to no avail.  Reaching the outlet of this lake, which tumbles down a short set of rapids over a waterfall, I portage all the gear down the third 100 metre trail and then another 50 metres to the area where I will set up the nylon tent.  The water pouring into the next lake is quite high, fast and noisy, but I will be camped far enough away that the sound should be less disturbing for sleep.  Not sure if I can hoist the canoe I manage after two tries to shoulder it, definitely depending more on my left side, the last test for my continued journey.  I would hate to have to ask Jeanette to charter a float plane to fly me out so soon after starting.  After all gear at the campsite, I initiate the "SPOT™ Satellite GPS Messenger" at 17:15 to notify my contacts the location of my second campsite.  I have travelled 14 km including three portages (60, 100 and 100 metres).  The supper fire is a cold spot, very exposed to the wind beside the shore; the meal is my hungry go-to meal of macaroni and cheese.  Weary, tired and sore shoulder, to bed by 21:00.  Concerned that my shoulder would hamper sleep, I can lay on either side but putting weight on the right side arm or removing the right arm shirt sleeve is uncomfortable and makes me pause to figure out how to do it less painfully.  I sleep okay, but have leg cramps several times when up to pee, dehydrated and over-used leg muscles, not drinking enough water during the day.  A reminder to drink more, especially since I have the convenience of a LifeStraw® water filter.

June 5:

Sleeping in, I arise by 07:15.  It is a cold 8°C so I wear two shirts plus a fleece sweater, especially needed at the fireplace which is exposed to a brisk wind.  After breakfast, I erect the canvas Tent beside the nylon tent, then transfer all the gear and pack the nylon tent.  I miscalculate the height of the vertical support poles for the Tent, not allowing for the sag in the extra long length of rope needed to reach an appropriate anchor tree.  Aie!  So then have to fell and limb two more spruce trees at a distance from camp in the bush but will use the spruce boughs for the Tent doorway.  Chilled because I removed the heavy shirt and fleece for supper when I was too warm, I get into the sleeping bag right away at bedtime.  I sleep to the constant rumble of the rapids and falls.  Before bedtime I kill two mosquitoes in the Tent.

June 6:

The day starts off cool at 8°C but rises to 18°C in the afternoon with sunny mostly blue sky and some white cumulus, light wind, gorgeous weather.  I bake a bannock in front of the fire, which works much better for the new recipe than on the stove, but still takes finesse to mix, bake and turn over without crumbling.  A woodpecker hammers away nearby; I hear it every day while here.  There are two pelicans on the rock shelf below the falls, reminding me to do some fishing for supper.  I catch my first fish of the season from shore, an 18" pike, after losing a bigger one just as I get it to the bank.  I try for another with five different lures in three spots from shore with no bites.  From my journal: "Hooked a tree branch once.  On retrieving it, snagged a different branch.  Got a forked stick to pull the branch close enough to reach ... and the lure fell out on its own.  Saw one walleye checking out the lure right at the shore.  Will canoe to the ledge below the falls tomorrow to fish."  After lunch there are five pelicans on the ledge at the falls, a bit later eight; they are getting more used to me and not swimming so far away when they see me.  Supper is fish chowder accompanied by a fresh salad of birch leaves, alder catkins and dandelion flowers and greens ... mmm good.  I am glad that I only caught one fish, plenty for me today, not super hungry at this stage of the trip.  By early evening there are 17 pelicans; I do not see them flying in although they could be landing out of sight; they are fearless swimmers and could also be floating down the rapids and over the falls.  I do notice some pelicans in the rapids between the falls and the ledge, not bothered by the turbulent waves.  There are two red-necked grebes bobbing in and under the water at the lower end of the rapids.  Again at bedtime I kill two mosquitoes.  Warmer tonight, I start off in the fleece shell, but by morning I am in the sleeping bag, hood drawn tight against the cold.  My right shoulder is bothering me more as I try to find a comfortable sleeping position no matter which side.  

June 7:

Another cool night, 6°C when I arise at 06:30, so don fleece sweater.  There are a few early mosquitoes when I start a small fire to heat water with a cold breakfast; as usual they do not show up in numbers until it reaches 10°C.  It is a calm day, reaching 19°C in the afternoon with blue sky and white clouds.  Thirteen pelicans retreat from the ledge at the falls when they see me fetching water.  From my journal: "They are all huddled on the far side of the bay about 500 metres away, plotting whether to return.  Sorry to spoil their spot but I'm canoeing to the ledge to fish after breakfast.  They all paddle away when I arrive, a bald eagle overlooking the scene flying off.  Try fishing to no avail!  Aie!  Had high hopes for walleye.  Was planning to stay another day, but will move on tomorrow, weather permitting.  My woodpecker is pecking again in the same area but haven't seen it yet; assume it is probably a hairy, or even a three-toed, woodpecker, not loud enough for a pileated one."  Walking down the lake shore, there are five spots suitable to fish from and I catch a 21" pike from the last one for supper.  I have a hot shower mid-afternoon which feels great; a few mosquitoes are biting.  I prepack as much as possible to move on tomorrow, then to bed by 20:30 and soon into the sleeping bag to keep warm.