Pat, Megan, Bobby and Bear B.U.M. arrived at the Pinewood Motel in Espanola with much anticipation of a great adventure to Nellie Lake. Everyone was excited but none more so than Bear who had never, ever, been to Killarney Park let alone the beautiful Nellie Lake.
While Pat, Megan and Bobby went out for dinner, Bear was forced to stay in the room. They didn't allow Bears into the Pizza joint. Bear was a little upset and consequently decided to punish Bobby by dipping into his canoeing refreshments.
While Bobby and Megan did the smart thing and ordered a normal pizza for dinner, Pat decided that he needed a bit more kick to his adventure and ordered the Hot Shot Pizza - more to come on that decision!
Friday:
By 9 in the morning, Pat, Megan, Bobby and Bear are ready for their 16 km paddle to the portage point into Nellie Lake.
The wind was at their back and all was going well until Pat's dinner choice (The Hot Shot Pizza) kicked in at the half-way point. While Pat made a dash to shore, Bear got a first hand look and was able to answer that age old question - do humans really poop in the woods?
Despite the set-back, the portage point was reached at 1:30 in the afternoon and the grueling 1500m portage began. Bear was pretty tired after climbing the big hill that begins the portage and had to rest by the stream while Pat went back to retrieve the canoe. Bear was glad that, between them, Pat and Megan carried the canoe the entire way.
By 3 pm, the portage was done and Pat, Megan, Bobby and Bear were paddling the beautiful, albeit windy, Nellie Lake. The arrival was celebrated with a little glass of wine.
The well stocked bar ensured further celebrations as the moon rose over the La Cloche mountain range. Bear, who was not feeling well from the previous night, passed on much of the celebrations.
Later that evening, fueled by copious quantities of celebratory drink, Megan decided to go swimming in search of the Nellie Lake monster, whose head can be seen in the accompanying photo.
Much, much, much later in the evening, when the sun was starting to lighten the eastern sky, Pat, Megan and Bobby decided to go to bed. Bear, who is the smart one in the group, had been asleep for many hours by this time.
Saturday:
When Pat, Megan, Bobby and Bear finally awoke on the Saturday, they decided upon a 4 km paddle to explore the eastern end of Nellie Lake. Along the way, Pat points to a unique rock on the lake bottom.
Lunch was had on a cliff overlooking the lake and later, while paddling beside a lovely outcrop, Megan and Bear decided to do some snorkeling.
While Megan practiced her synchronized swimming techniques, Bear was hard at work locating interesting objects on the lake floor. He found what appears to be some sort of sled that the original miners in the area might have used to haul equipment across the frozen lake.
Later that day, while supper is underway, Pat & Megan celebrate another great day at Nellie Lake.
Following supper, Pat demonstrates to Megan the proper technique for shooting turkeys. In actual fact the target was a plastic bag full of turkey sausages but this doesn't diminish the instruction technique.
Later still, Megan demonstrates to Pat the proper technique for catching crayfish.
And later still, whilst Pat is swing a flashlight on a rope around his head (there is a long story, involving alcohol naturally, as to why Pat was doing this), Bobby demonstrates how to stop said flashlight in full flight ... using the side of his head. It is not clear what the benefits of this technique are in the real world but it was interesting none-the-less.
And finally, much, much, later - when the moon is high above the La Cloche mountains, Bobby sacrifices his shirt to the gods of the evening fire. A few minutes later Pat, Megan, Bobby and Bear were surprised when Bobby's Bic lighter - that he forgot to remove from his shirt pocket - exploded.
Sunday:
The next morning, Pat, Megan, Bobby and Bear B.U.M. come to the conclusion that they are all lucky to still be alive from the previous night and decide that the wisest course of action is to leave Nellie Lake. The fact that they were out of alcohol also had some bearing on their decision.
The last of the underwater photos were snapped, including those of Megan's mood ring changing colour in the cold, acidified waters of Nellie Lake.
After portaging and paddling the 7 hours back to Espanola, Pat, Megan, Bobby and Bear decided that the adventure should continue in the village of Killarney - some 2 1/2 hours away. The adventurers were in a bit of a hurry since it was Canada Day and the LCBO was closed. They had to get to Killarney in time for a meal and a few drinks. They did take the time though to stop and enjoy the wonders of nature.
Arriving in Killarney at 8:15, Pat, Megan, Bobby and Bear B.U.M. were surprised to learn that all but one of the restaurants in Killarney stopped serving food at 8 pm. To add insult to injury, the only bar that would serve them food was host to a Lady Gaga impersonator.
While listening to "Marry The Night", our intrepid adventures indulged in some burgers and chicken, fries and onion rings, and after a spectacular fireworks display, found a bar with the proper atmosphere to celebrate Canada Day.
The end to a wonderful adventure.
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