Ottawa River
Nov. 9, 2020
Just after 10 am we put our canoe into the calm, icy water of the Ottawa River from Massey Lane near Blair Road. There was a large parking area. It was a warm day but the two of us were in wetsuits. There was mist above the water.
We paddled west and upstream along the shoreline towards downtown. We could see Kettle Island across the river. There was a beautiful walking path along the river on the Ottawa side for much of the distance we travelled. Many people were taking advantage of the nice day to get some exercise. We passed the Ottawa New Edinburgh Club which is under renovation and wrapped up in plastic! We started to understand how “Rockcliffe” got its name. There were many cliffs made of sedimentary rock layers that could be seen from the water. We passed the Rockcliffe marina & restaurant. It floats on the river! We spotted several bright homes on the Gatineau side of the river including Dagmar’s. We enjoyed the mist at three waterfalls. We identified the Royal Canadian Mint, the Embassy for France, 24 Sussex Drive, and the National Art Gallery. We came to the first (Macdonald-Cartier) of four bridges where Ottawa King Edward traffic crosses to Gatineau. Barges were on the river to do repairs to the bridge. We spotted the Museum of Civilization with its distinctive architecture. We stopped briefly to look at the Ottawa Rowing Club with its beautiful blue and white paint job. We also spotted the Rockcliffe Yacht Club. One of us was surprised to see so many boating clubs on the river where land is expensive. They have been there for years. We saw the end of the Rideau Canal locks with its several steps in a row and the Chateau Laurier hotel. We paddled on towards the Parliament buildings, the Supreme Court building, the Royal Canadian Navy monument, and Victoria Island. It had taken about two hours to reach downtown and we stopped for lunch. We had a nice view of the Parliament buildings as we ate. It was about 22 degrees Celsius and sunny in the middle of November.
About 1:15 we turned around and paddled east along the route we had come. The water was still very calm and it reflected everything. Now we had the current pushing us along so we went faster. We arrived back near the end of Blair Road about 3 o’clock. We had paddled just under 22 km. We loaded our gear into our cars and headed home. A lovely November paddle with a bit of history and geography thrown in! If you have not seen Ottawa from the water, this trip is definitely worth doing. Watch for it being offered as a club trip next summer… Mark S
Executive Meeting Minutes 2020-10-21
Log on to see the minutes of the virtual executive meeting held October 21, 2020.
Kilmarnock to Merrickville
On October 25 a group of six club paddlers went on an "arctic expedition" from Kilmarnock Lockstation to Merrickville community beach and back - total distance about 22 km. Karen H. was expertly leading Salome S., Mark S., Paul H., Anatoly C. and Joanna D.
We expected cold air and cold water and dressed accordingly. All the way to Merrickville we paddled through a mostly wide and shallow, marshy part of Rideau River against an unpleasant chilly breeze. We were really looking forward to returning with a gale at our backs, but instead the wind died in the afternoon. Despite paddling by the Rideau Bird Sanctuary, we saw few birds, apart from a magnificent blue heron.
Our lunch stop on the beach was short, and paddling back was as energetic as in the morning. We made the whole distance in record time and headed to Stella Luna in Merrickville for celebratory hot chocolate and ... ice cream. We are all proud of having been part of what was likely the last trip of the season and of stretching the paddling season so far into the fall.
Submitted by Joanna (click Read More for photos)
Manotick to Kars
On October 17th, Karen H. led a group of six from the Manotick Municipal Boat Launch to the Kars Recreation Area and back, approximately 12 km each way. The group was composed of Anatoly C., Joanna D., Salome S., Jane M., Mark S., Francine L., and Karen H. as the leader.
The river was calm and the skies were blue as we departed from the boat launch in Manotick. The river remained calm most of the day except for a few windy spots, mainly as we got closer to Kars and on the way back. The skies displayed a mixture of sun and clouds throughout the day.
South Nation River
Oct. 16, 2020
Four club members and one guest met at the end of Lacroix Road near Casselman at 10:30 am. After a night of rain, the sky was heavily overcast. It was cool (9 degrees Celcius) but no rain fell. We were quickly on the water and paddled to the right, towards Casselman. The river is fairly wide but shallow, and curves back and forth between steep, high banks of silt and clay. Depending on the water level, the shoreline can be slippery but it caused us no difficulty. We were dressed in many layers which we soon removed as we warmed up.
Poonamalie
At 10am October 11, 2020 a well-bundled group of 8 club paddlers in 3 tandem canoes and 2 kayaks set off from the Poonamalie lock station, part of the Rideau canal system. It was a chilly 4 degrees Celsius but calm.
We paddled leisurely upstream, past several friendly homes on Bacchus Island, then west past the extensive cattail marshes on the north shore of Lower Rideau Lake.
Shortly after noon we reached the Tay River. The docks, ramp, lawn, picnic table, and washroom at the lower Beveridge lock were perfect for a lunch stop. There is a nice 5 minute walk to the upper Beveridge lock, with several historical panels and a view up the Tay River canal. By then, the temperature had risen to a balmy 9 degrees, warm enough to shed a layer of clothing.
Mississippi River - Pakenham to Blakeney
On October 3rd, our small group ventured out to the Mississippi River at Pakenham to enjoy a paddle up to Blakeney (and back). The group was composed of Jame M. (a Club veteran), two new members - April S. and Francine L. - as well as Paul H. as leader.
We paddled south past the trailer park and ventured through the large concrete culvert up Glen (or Indian) Creek) for a short distance. The colours were beautiful with a mix of green coniferous and muti-coloured maple trees along the route. The rapids at Blakeney provided a pretty spot for lunch.
Although the skies threatened rain frequently during the day, we had at most a few spits of rain. With virtually no wind and cool but comfortable temperatures, paddling conditions were almost ideal (no sunblock and no bugs). We capped off the day with ice cream at Scoops in Pakenham.
Gracefield Camp Volunteer Day Report
Since 2009 the canoe club has held canoeing weekends at Gracefield Christian Camp near Gracefield, Quebec. It is a beautiful area to visit. We have enjoyed easy availability and low costs. We have had access to camp beaches, their archery range, many trails and the Turtle Rock picnic spot. The Second Beach campsite feels like a wilderness area but it is within reach of many amenities new campers sometimes need, like electricity, a phone, fridge, shower, dryer or their car. Sometimes we used camp canoes, barrels, or the services of a lifeguard, or other camp staff. The camp has delivered milk, fresh vegetables, mail and a variety of other things needed to make canoeing families comfortable.
One good turn deserves another, so on September 25 six strong canoe club volunteers spent a day improving the Second Beach campsite by removing dead trees and creating firewood. Efficient work produced many stacks of firewood. We also enjoyed a brief but wonderful paddle on Lac Castor Blanc. A big "thank you" to our capable canoe club volunteers!
Executive Meeting Minutes 2020-09-16
Log on to see the minutes of the virtual executive meeting held September 16, 2020.
Updates to COVID-19 Protocols for RACCC
September 26, 2020
The club executive reviewed the Covid rules and made 3 changes. The changes allow limited carpooling, and update the requirements for returning and disinfecting equipment. The latest version of the Covid rules is here.
Burnstown Trip Sept. 16 2020
On Wed. Sept. 16th 2020 we drove for about one hour to arrive at Burnstown Beach by 9:30 am. There were no crowds. Four club members headed south on the Madawaska River as far as the Springtown bridge. The weather was clear and the temperature moderate. The water was still reasonably warm. We saw rolling hills on either side of the river and some cottages on the west side. We were challenged with a head wind of about 35 km/hr but made steady progress. We turned around at the bridge and enjoyed a tail wind. Our on-water leader (Catherine) pointed out our options for stopping spots. We ate our lunches where Kippens Creek meets the Madawaska. We noticed white turtlehead flowers along the shore and lots of chanterelle mushrooms as well as other mushrooms. We appreciated having a botanist along! After lunch we paddled up Kippens Creek. A road crosses the creek and we found two culverts just large enough to allow us through. Some decided to paddle upstream as far as possible. It was very pretty. We returned through the culvert to Burnstown Beach arriving about 3 pm. We had paddled just under 16 km in five hours. Thanks to all for the wonderful team effort!
Mississippi R:Pakenham to Blakeney Rapids
September 6, 2020
A glorious sunny day greeted 8 happy RACCC paddlers: 3 canoes and 2 kayaks for our day trip on the Mississippi River, from the Pakenham Beach upstream to Blakeney Rapids and return. By 10:00 AM we paddled away from the sandy beach, upstream where the Mississippi flows under a railroad bridge and then winds through a wooded valley. There are a few cottages, a trailer camp and some farms along the way.
After about 2 hours and 9 kms of calm flat water and easy upstream paddling we arrived at the unexpectedly pretty Blakeney Rapids gently cascading and sparkling in the sun. The Nepean sandstone cuts across the river valley here, creating several channels and islands with beautiful waterfalls and rapids. The smooth granite rocks on shore made a fine place for our picnic lunch and for enjoying each other’s good company and stories. There were several families with the same thought of enjoying the enticing spot, making it a bit busy. But everyone was enjoying themselves and we all made space for each other.
Read more: Mississippi River:Pakenham to Blakeney Rapids 2020