Allagash Waterway Part 2 – Eagle & Churchill Lakes (Day 213)

• Soro: 15 miles

  • Stevie Allagash/Quebec National Trail Alternate (54.9 – 69.9)

    • Lake eagle to Lake Churchill

• Total walking: 4,176 miles
• Total rowing: 125.1 miles

60 – 90 ° F, sunny with some swollen clouds, they became clouds with a rain storm at night, cloudy and freshest later.

Lock Dam Campsite to Scofield Cove Campsite

«That the wind is always behind your back and sun on your face. And that the wings of fate take you high to dance with the stars.»

– George Jung in the movie, Blow (2001)

It was better for me during the night Dad. Our neighbors must have been talking at night, but I fell asleep quickly. Despite his extreme exhaustion of the day in the water, he fought to fall asleep. Then, this morning around 4:30 am, we both listen to a firm voice to say: «Very well, it’s time to get up.» Our neighbors proceeded to pack and do the Portage to Eagle Lake. I put on the ear plugs and I was surprised to go back to sleep until 6:00 am, but here too, Dad was not so lucky.

When I went to the big wooden table, he was writing in his diary and already had a cup of coffee ready. We have to have breakfast. Today was sausage and eggs, our last «refrigerated/perishable food» of the trip. However, such pleasure to have this wonderful food for varying. Even when we were finishing our food, we began to organize again. As in our Everglades trip at the beginning of the year, we have immediately developed a rhythm together.

It’s a good camp here in Lock Dam

Pack was without problems. In a short time it seemed that our camp was clear from our team and all our supplies were low by the edge of the waters. Not necessarily strategic on our part, but probably for those who established it, this camp is conveniently located in the first trip of the trip.

After all our things were stacked, we had every kayak together. He was in front with one hand grabbing a handle and dad on the back holding another. It was approximately 100 yards from the shore of Lake Chamberlain to the narrow output current that led to Lake Eagle. In the middle of the way, we changed my arms, but with Karl and Ellie almost empty, they were not a super heavy feeling. And yes, Dad’s kayak is called Ellie. He even has his name printed on his side.

Before launching, I quickly prepared another cup of coffee for the «road» and then we began to row at 8:03 am more exactly, we were swept at 8:03 am. This was our first fast water, a test for us. It is good that the risk was low here because we do not happen with great success.

Dad immediately became almost 180 degrees and began backwards. He managed to relieve and was out of sight before I was floating. When I started, I also put myself sideways, but even worse since I was elevated in a strainer. I would probably have turned if there was a real current and it wasn’t just a small current. I ran into several other rocks and trunks, but I felt that I learned some tricks along the way. Stay focused, not panic and stop things as much as possible, seem valuable techniques that will help move forward when the ramps trigger.

After crossing the narrow ones with only a small spilled coffee, things opened to a glass key lake with many straight covers and edges. There were reeds and a lot of aquatic vegetation and we both agreed that it felt like a good habitat of alces. We prayed gently and kept our low and low voices. In a moment, Dad saw a dark spot ahead and noticed the movement too. I confirmed, but as we approached, it turned out to be a rock (the dark spot) and the birds (the movement), not an alce.

I was calm and relaxed this morning. Do not feel the stress of «needing to get there» as yesterday. I was really enjoying it. I was very quiet and still. We reach three common snacks and listen to others. There was also a flock of Canadian geese that swam. Finally, we begin to trolize our lures.

When Eagle Lake opened to an even more expansive area, we saw our neighbors last night and their four red and green canoes. They were cutting the lake in what seemed to be a strange direction for us. After a thought, Dad was well that they could go to the «tram.» We had listened to rumors of an old abandoned train there and when verifying even more Faraout, we found this description given …

«The Rama Eagle Lake & West railway of 13 miles was built by the Canadian woodcut Edouard» King «Lacroix and its crew in the winter of 1926-27. The crew of Lacroix transported all the pieces for two locomotives, steel raills, a railway bridge of 1,500 feet, two miles of switching and 40 cars of the snow Frontière, Québec, a distance, a traffic of miles, two miles.

That sounded quite well for us, so we deviate a little from our direct path to see it.

The train was impressive and it was a fun stop, it was worth the effort to go to see …

Leaving the launch there, I saw a great leaching in the water of approximately 5 inches long. That disturbed me, but I will persevere. We continue north on our route and arrive at Farm Island for a lunch stop. The wind had risen and mostly flying to him, although aside.

There was a camp where we stopped and it was pleasant with a large long table like ours last night. With the breeze and tone he felt good. Wanting to take advantage of the wind, we postpone our planned swimming and continue moving. The next section is sailed. The wind was really on our backs pushing us to the northern end of Lake Eagle.

Before leaving, we even saw some kind of canoe sailing configuration …

Leaving the Eagle lake, we entered the round pond and then headed under the John bridge that led to Lake Churchill.

We had the idea of ​​attacking an input current for a potentially colder water and the map showed the dumping of the arroyos of the otter just after the bridge. As we approached, it seemed quite swamp without any shore to lift the kayaks. At the same time, we had been debating on a dark point ahead, whether a rock or alces. We had already done this several times and every time it ended up being a rock. This time, however, without a doubt, the dark point began to move. Indeed, as we approached, we were able to distinguish a mom and her calf eating some vegetation in the shallow waters.

We did not want to crow them and maintain our distance. It was great to simply float and look. Do not sneak and, therefore, we could observe their great ears, seeing how all the heads underwater are immersed and stirred like a wet dog later. His long legs seemed to have been created only with that purpose of wading through water.

Just after this, we stopped on an disgusting island covered with bird poop. We needed to filter water, so I left and did it. I made sure to collect the grossness deeply. During this process, he had moved Dad’s dry bag that contained his sleeping bag to access his kayak storage area. Well, without realizing it at that time, I did not put it back with its appropriate straps. However, we went forward.

1.7 miles ahead, we decided to go to the SCOFIELD COVE site instead of the Scofield Point site. We could see some people at the point and after last night, we wanted some privacy. So we deviate to the left and find a good camp. It had become darker over 50 yards from the coast, rain drops began.

We discuss that our tents are established first or a canvas dad had brought for a shelter. It was then that Dad noticed, however, that the dry bag that was supposed to be above his kayak was gone, nowhere in sight! And, of course, he had his sleeping bag, a fairly important team. He clicks my brain immediately that I didn’t put the thing again. But Dad had specifically remembered to see him when we made the decision to address the cove in front of The Point. With that news, I looked at the lake. I was there! Or, then I suspected it was; There was an object floating in the middle of the lake.

The rain had decreased, so I quickly jumped to Karl to go after her. Quickly in the rescue mission, the rain returned with revenge. I mean, the heavens are released and threw me! And the wind had collected its strongest point of the day in seconds. Thank God he had changed direction and was pushing me. In record speeds, I remitted with a power that I knew I didn’t have.

As he approached the floating drop, I saw that in fact it was something unnatural and not a bird. Then, I noticed that I had color, red and white. The floating drop was in fact the dry bag that was missing! I approached, I diminished the speed without wanting to lose it just to have to turn around and fight the wind. I snatched it and took him near my stomach holding the tight as Petey recovering that loose ball in the state championship game Williams.

However, to complete the mission, I still had to go out and that meant facing the wind that had been pressing so quickly. I did not think that I would have the strength or resistance to turn it on and recover it, so I came up with a new strategy. Turning left to the shore, I expected the wind to be blocked there. As I approached, I could see three human contours who looked at me from the other tempting. Unless the entire drama would have been developing, they were probably wondering what in the name of Susan B. Anthony was doing there paddling as an Olympic athlete.

I told myself, despite the wind and only the waves, only gave them a lesson slightly. Some made it turn and in my kayak, but I soaked myself (of course I had not put the rain team). When running out of steam, I arrived at the shore and left. He had not yet returned to the camp, but at least he was on the ground. At first I thought about waiting for him, but it seemed that he was only strengthening. Impatient, I decided that I would walk back on the coast, dragging the kayak behind. I had no rope, so I unbuttoned one of the kayak straps and used it. It was just a foot and a half long, but it worked well enough.

After making an assault through the water with an shallow cobblestone, I realized that the wind had finally settled. I jumped in Karl and quickly finished the last camp for camping. Dad was there and had established the canvas and everything was fine. I was still raining, but I was excited about success and strangely I felt attracted to go swimming. Then, we laughed and joke sitting under the canvas. The rain continued for a while and began to cool.

Much could have gone wrong, but everything had worked and his sleeping bag was even completely dry inside.

We had a lovely dinner from a hamburger assistant of philadelphia meat that Dad had lyophilized. Spectacular! And pudding for dessert, candy for me and chocolate for dad. Dad added half a cup of water and added 1 cup. His was super thick, mine was a bit liquid. Both delicious. We promised that the next time we tried 3/4 cup of water to obtain the perfect consistency. Before delivering, we even had a small fire.

Super tired, it had been a great day and again we did it beyond what any of us expected. And we could both sleep deeply, dry and hot in our sleeping bags 😉