Ottawa is now a risk area for Lyme disease?
What do Ötzi the iceman, Avril Lavigne and George W. Bush, have in common? Well like a growing number of people in Canada and the US, they all had Lyme disease. Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of the Black legged tick. Untreated it can lead to chronic debilitating illness. Incidences of infected ticks have been found in the Ottawa area. The Ontario Ministry of Health now lists the Ottawa area as a risk area for infection. Ottawa Public Health indicates that there were 70 new cases diagnosed in Ottawa in 2015. Numbers are expected to increase as more ticks become infected.
Most people who contract Lyme Disease are not hiking or camping but are engaged in everyday activities such as gardening, playing , walking the dog and working outdoors. Many don’t recall being bitten and frequently discount the warning signs of early infection.
What does this mean for avid outdoors enthusiasts such as ourselves? Well for one thing we have to understand the risks and how to protect ourselves. For more information on how to do this please refer to Camping and Canoeing in areas with Lyme disease.
Conduct of Club Members
After getting out to the wilderness, my greatest joy as a member of the RA Canoe Camping Club has always been getting to know the club members. I continue to be amazed at the varied backgrounds, love of the environment, paddling skills, willingness to help out, and general good humour of our members.
Interesting Information on the Ottawa River
Click here for a web page that provides some interesting information on the Ottawa River, particularly for Westmeath Township, which is above the main WW stretch of the Ottawa River. Did you know, for example, that Canada's longest underwater caves are there and that the Nature Conservancy of Canada is buying them?
Canoe Quotes
What sets a canoeing expedition apart is that it purifies you more rapidly and inescapably than any other travel. Travel a thousand miles by train and you are a brute; pedal five hundred on a bicycle and you remain basically a bourgeois; paddle a hundred in a canoe and you are already a child of nature.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
For more Canoe Quotes, click here.
Trip and Training Reports 2014
Click on the below links to read reports on various club activities and look at the photos.
Beginner Flatwater Tandem (Training)
Whitewater at Palmers (Training)
Open House 2015 and New Club Boathouse
Another successful Open House! About 200 people came to Open House 2015, and 61 of them became members, bringing our total to 256 so far, including 66 new members. Many people signed up for training and tripping, and the Gear Swap was a big success. The best thing about Open House though, is the chance to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones, especially those who are new to the club and glad to see some friendly faces – check out the pictures below by clicking on "Read More" (thanks Mike!).
As always, it’s the volunteers that make these things happen, and they volunteer because they enjoy being part of the club. Thanks to all those who made the newcomers feel welcome, especially to those who staffed the tables, to Don for his tempting campsite exhibit, to Celeste for showing off our new boathouse, and to the RA staff who supported us.
Don’t miss Open House next year! See you on the water, Scott
Using the website
Some updates have been made the the website over the off-season and we are bringing in electronic registration for all club trips. This will help the Trip Leaders coordinate the groups and also ensure that all information about the trip is easy to access. As the tool rolls out, maps will be included and other neat features which will make registering for trips easy.
To learn more about these new tools and how to use them, check out some short videos we have put together.
Peach Cobbler
Crepes Suzette
Finally revealed (click Read More) is the recipe for Mark Scott's famous Crepes Suzettes which he serves on his annual Pettawa trip.
Women’s Week at MKC 2014
Over the Canada Day week I had the amazing experience of going to Women’s Week at the Madawaska Kanu Centre (MKC). Attending an all women’s event has not been something I felt I had to do, I quite like paddling with our male counterparts, especially my husband. However, this opportunity presented itself to me this year and I am very glad I took it.
FW Solo Courses at Meech Lake June 21-22 2014
A total of 11 club solo canoeists took part in the Paddle Canada introductory and intermediate lake canoe skills courses June 21-22 at Meech Lake. We all learned more about the art of solo canoeing, got to know each other and enjoyed the beautiful weather.
RACCC Members' Handbook
The 2019 RACCC Member Handbook (see attachment) will answer many of your questions about the club. You must be a member of the club to access it.
New First Aid Kits-How to Open and Close-2014
This season we are introducing new first aid kit bags that will hopefully, with proper use help us keep the contents dry. Although the closures look like ziplock bags they do not work the same way. Please take some time to review the opening and closing instructions below and help us ensure they will be a worthwhile investment for years to come. Click here for video.