I have been on an Adventure

ANCIENT PATHWAYS, WATERCOLOR, AUG 2009

Two canadian coasts liked by water.


Hi all. Well, I went on an adventure!!!! I left town for four days, and went in to the woods. ALONE!!

I left town on a Friday and hitchhiked to a lake north of Bon Echo p.p. got dropped off on the side of h.41 and hiked two miles or so into the lake. arived about 4 pm. set up camp. I have not camped for about 10 years. but routine came back ok. good dinner cooked over camp fire
It was great. Just me and the Loons. did not see any one the whole time, except an ATV er who roared through sat am ( who got an eye full as i was up to my knees in the lake a la natural ).

the weather was great sat, spent day resting and painting. lots of views from site which was about 1/3 way up the lenght of the lake. started to cloud up about 7 pm. so no stars, or light show.
Friday night the stars were incredible, lots of shooting stars. So bright.

just sat on the rock and listened to the quiet.... and the loons, have not heard them for too long.
the sun seting slowly..... got very buggy though.... so went to bed early.

At some point sunday am long before the sun arose there came the crash of thunder so loud.
And with it rain heavy hard rain. But the tent stood and only a little leak at the zipper.

rained into the late am so just lay ed there listening to it comming down and the loons calling.
finaly hunger drove me out. fire wood was all wet. it was under the tarp but still got wet.
fired up stove and made some Maxwell instant coffee ( we must suffer for our art). I have been since informed that the Starbucks VIA is the way to go Italian roast of course.

spent sunday in and out of tent. in lat afternoon cleared up so hiked to south end of lake where there is a group of bogs and swamps. with my sketch book and got some great scenes which will become paintings through the winter.

Started to rain again an the way back, so it was bread, nutala and chesse for dinner. finaly cleared upd and was able to watche the sun go down and have a great swim.

alas monday came and it was time to go home.

some thanks are in order to the 4 guys who provide rides, hank from Tweed, and jim from north brook who drove me all the way to the drop off point friday and to Paul who in one ride, Monday droped me back in Belleville. and Marvin who drove me to tweed to get me started friday.

some logistical notes.

need to invest in a portable water filter system ... boiling water as an ongoing job

better meal planning ... sort of through food together out of what was in house, and meat in small cans with zip top lids..... pc low sodium canded chunks of ham, is tolerable with lots of onion and garlic ..sort of! overall not well planed but I ate, was just a bit heavy.

and painting kit needs a re vamping, the laptop case works for local stuff on the bike, and in a canoe but for backpacking not so good( im sure i made an intersting picture on the trail big back pack and a laptop case) LOL.. was a bit lobsided.


Well hope all are well.... Norman K.