The last time I went to the McCoy island group, I titled the trip report "The Bay that I Love". I could recycle the title, really, for this trip to the same place. I wouldn't say that I've ever forgotten how I feel about the Bay, but - I suppose like so many things that are so close and accessible that you can do them any weekend in the summer - I suspect I sometimes take it for granted.
There's nothing to be taken for granted about Georgian Bay. Yes, parts of it have many cottages, and yes, the jet-skis and motorboats buzz through various sections with alarming frequency. But on the May long weekend, we had this sometimes-busy part of the sixth Great Lake all to ourselves.
"We" is a motley crew of GLSKA kayakers: there was Lee, and there was me, and together we were the organizers of this escapade. Joining us was Peter (who I have tripped with frequently, and always enjoy), Dave H. (who I'd never 
"done a wilderness trip with, though we had been at several rescue clinics together) and Burke, Rick and Cindy (who were new to me). 
This group of seven represented the truly dedicated, healthy bunch with their priorities in order, for a whole host of people cancelled on us because something else came up, they had bad luck with injuries or vehicles, or a number of other reasons. But it all worked out: I think 5-8 people is the ideal kayak tripping group size.
The McCoys is the ideal spot for an early season trip with six tents, too: there are so many great campsites, and at this time of year the one that I wanted most was free. There is plenty of stuff to explore near there, so you can base-camp for two nights and not get bored. And, with a paddling distance of 12 km from Dillon Cove, it's close enough that you don't need to love the long days to go.
Add ideal weather to the ideal group size and ideal camping spot: despite rather dire forecasts, we had nothing but good weather. It was warm and sunny on Saturday (I even paddled in a t-shirt for a while), warm, sunny and windy on Sunday, and fairly warm and still dry on Monday (at least, it didn't rain before we had taken out and loaded up our gear). So good. Except for the solar radiation part, I suppose: I had forgotten my cap at home, and when I tried on a floppy-brimmed model at White Squall, Lee a little too honestly told me that I looked stupid and I went without.
One of the things I love about GLSKA trips is the independence you still have: since we all show up equipped for solo trips but travel together, you are not dependent on other people's meal schedules or taste in food. Alas, as I discovered this weekend, this means that you can spend some time feeling like your provisions are boring: 
I watched Rick and Cindy cook up some bacon and egg delights and generally get rather fancy. I commented on this, and they assured me that they eat easy meals too, and that the next night would be plain mac and cheese. I'd pictured Kraft Dinner, they concocted a tortellini extravaganza featuring asiago cheese and all sorts of gourmet fixings. Similarly, they claimed they were just having oatmeal, but oatmeal Rick and Cindy style includes two kind of nuts and chocolate chips!
Rick and Cindy weren't the only ones eating well - we all were, really (even Burke, who forgot part of his provisions at home!) There was pancake making and can opening and hash brown frying and such things as mashed potatoes, fresh fruit and three kinds of vegetables with two kinds of dips (though not all at the same time). There was also the generosity of Peter, who filled his boat with beer for 
everybody (and nobody appreciated him more than me! because, really, if someone goes to so much trouble, it would be impolite not to appreciate! that, and I didn't have time to go to the beer store, since I decided that this wouldn't be important - but when I was presented with a cold one or several, I certainly didn't understimate the pleasure). Even my oatmeal out of a packet got garnished with chocolate chips and almonds courtesy of Rick and Cindy!
The trip was much more than a gourmet/gourmand feast. It was also an educational experience. We were lucky to have our own parks guy with us, and when Burke slipped into biogeek mode, people paid attention. I'm told that he charmed a snake (I was on a walk with Peter at the time, 
so missed this), and he certainly greeted every bird by name, a particularly impressive skill to someone whose repertoire of birds she can identify is limited to seagulls, cormorants and turkey vultures. And I even got educated about cormorants. Most special of all, though, Burke wanted to go to the Limestones - which are off limits to mere mortals at this time of year because there is a high chance of flushing out nesting birds. However, when you accompany the parks dude who 
needs to take some field observations and *promise* to stay well away from the nesting areas (and he tells you where well away is), you can land there while he does his bio-geek activities. Landing there of course lets you pull out your food bag and have lunch... and maybe even a nap in the sun (actually, Lee had a nap in the sun. Always true to myself, I made fun of him. And then had a nap myself). Of course, the nap in the sun may be too much for your hatless head, and you may have a nasty sunburn after this - but even that can work in your favour, if it prompts Burke to lend you his oh-so-cool hat - much cooler than the one you forgot - for the rest of the weekend.
While we were off on the day of open crossings paddling adventure to the Limestones, our campsite stayed unguarded. This of course allowed some random rascal to stuff some of our sleeping bags and various items of clothing with rocks. The placement of the rocks - and the selection of which tents could benefit from some additional anchoring - had a strange, Swiss-like precision to it, I must say, and we got a good laugh out of it once we figured it out. Peter, Lee and I have vowed to return the prank at some point (but I like to live by the rule, if you receive a gift, you should give back an even greater gift).
Our last day was cloudy, but still good weather, and we took advantage of a relatively early start to explore the Hertzberg archipelago - which is beautiful, but too infested with cottages for high season paddling, I think. I geeked out with my new GPS while paddling sweep, and those of you 
who make fun of such geekery, let me tell you: for some of us (me!) there is no better way to work on technique than to see the constant feedback that different strokes have on my speed. No torso rotation? 5.5 km/hr. Good rotation? 7.5-8 km/hr, and my arms don't get tired. However, without the feedback, it would feel like I'm paddling just as hard or harder using just my arms, based on perceived exertion, so I might not even notice when my technique takes a nosedive into distraction. I have much to learn, obviously, but the GPS feedback does help.
Total paddling distance? 55km. Oh, and Burke let me keep the red hat. How cool is that?
Ah, but the trip was too short. When can we go again?
Posted by Johanna at May 24, 2005 11:43 PM