Category: Caminos

Turtles vs. Moose – June 8, 2022

  • Ottawa-Montréal Camino #9
  • Rigaud to Hudson Distance: 10.5 miles /
  • Total: 107.5 miles
  • Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
  • Ascent: 301 feet / Descent: 446 feet
  • Weather: 75 degrees, sunny with clouds

How many dozens of turtle sightings equaled one moose sighting? Don’t know until I sight the first moose.

Seven dozen turtles vs. Zero moose
No moose warning signs. Go figure.
This is a smallish size turtle compared to others seen on our walk.

Tears – June 8, 2022

  • Ottawa-Montréal Camino #9
  • Rigaud to Hudson
  • Distance: 10.5 miles / Total: 107.5 miles
  • Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
  • Ascent: 301 feet / Descent: 446 feet
  • Weather: 75 degrees, sunny with clouds

All the signs for tears were there. Shoulders heaving. Nose sniffing. Hands yanking. Danielle was distraught having misplaced a borrowed carabiner. The carabiner wasn’t necessary for the walk. It was more a gadget than hiking equipment. The cause of Danielle genuine distress was she had misplaced something that wasn’t hers.

For me it was a trifling thing to no longer have…a few less grams to carry. Covid or not, I put my arms around her and hugged.

Danielle’s disappointment for misplacing the carabiner far exceeded its value. The incident allowed me to sense her deep regard for me. I’m honored.

Carabiner FOUND hours later. Now tears of joy.

Dollarama, the set for mystery solved.
Irises were in full glory.
A feast for eyes.

Camping Rough – June 7, 2022

  • Ottawa-Montréal Camino #8
  • L’Orignal to Chute à Blondeau
  • Distance: 12.5 miles / Total: 82.75 miles
  • Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Ascent: 303 feet / Descent: 257 feet
  • Weather: 75 degrees, sunny with clouds

Open air Our Lady of Lourdes Sanctuary was set into the face of the hill. Our accommodation was a repurposed basement storage room. Our stay took the atmosphere of camping rough.

Our Lady of Lourdes Sanctuary’ office.
Our accommodation under the sanctuary’s office was in a repurposed storage room.
Our Lady of Lourdes Sanctuary’s sanctuary.

Camping rough. Don’t breath deeply.

Alcohol on Premise. – June 6, 2022

  • Ottawa-Montréal Camino #7
  • L’Orignal to Chute à Blondeau
  • Distance: 12.5 miles / Total: 82.75 miles
  • Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Ascent: 303 feet / Descent: 257 feet
  • Weather: 75 degrees, sunny with clouds

Alcohol was for sale at our next premise. Two bottles of burgundy would ensure our sound sleep on air mattresses. The Community Centre exceeded our expectations. Thanks Joanne.

Community Centre on the Ottawa River.
“Two bottles of red,” that’s our Danielle.
Fourth degree Blackbelt and pool shark…that’s our Michel.
“Early to bed and early to rise,” that’s our Arnold.

Gifting Memories – June 6, 2022

  • Ottawa-Montréal Camino #7
  • L’Orignal to Chute à Blondeau
  • Distance: 12.5 miles / Total: 82.75 miles
  • Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Ascent: 303 feet / Descent: 257 feet
  • Weather: 75 degrees, sunny with clouds

What would you do if you knew you had two years to live? Local artist Lyne Charlebois was diagnosed with cancer. The prognosis was two years. On good days, she painted scenes reflecting the history of the community. A college of her work hung in the community center hosting our stay. To listen to our host Joanne speak of the illustrated scenes was as if she was intimately shared her family photo album with us. Lyne Charlebois gave a gift of good memories.

Lyne Charlebois’s community collage.
My favorite, ferry crossing Ottawa River.
Sure beats walking.

Now We’re Talking – June 6, 2022

  • Ottawa-Montréal Camino #7
  • L’Orignal to Chute à Blondeau
  • Distance: 12.5 miles / Total: 82.75 miles
  • Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Ascent: 303 feet / Descent: 257 feet
  • Weather: 75 degrees, sunny with clouds

Now we’re talking. Wallowing on the Ottawa River.

Michel and Arnold relaxed in the Ottawa River.
Michelle and devise by the Ottawa River.
Linda dressed to avoid Ottawa River Mosquitoes. FYI nothing worked to avoid the colossal sluggish mosquitoes.