"Wild Skies"


JOURNEY 50 - CONSTANCE BAY TO 12 MILE ISLAND (RETURN) - MAY 21, 2005

It was supposed to be a rainy time for the entire day so we had dispensed with any paddling plans. But returning home in the late afternoon we were sitting on the deck basking in sunshine. Despite sitting and looking out over the water we still sometimes forget that we can just grab our kayaks and go. But we did figure it out and that's what happened. We enjoyed the sunshine for about 5 minutes and then it got dark, windy, and cold with a stiff headwind coming out of the north. We had the vague destination of "paddling to the Quebec side" in mind, but instead ended up heading east exploring the shoreline. There are some interesting shoals in the rocky point area (the northeast tip of Constance Bay) and some beautiful homes and cottages. The Gatineau Hills to the north were black with storm clouds as we entered the main channel of the mighty Ottawa River, where big sudden squalls are not uncommon. We still had no destination in mind, but when a small lighthouse came into view in the distance we arrived at an unspoken agreement and headed that way. The lighthouse is located on 12 Mile Island (we don't know why it is called that) which is a tiny chunk of land inhabited by at this time of year by terns and shorebirds. Just as we approached the island, the sun broke through long enough to warm our cold hands. As we were completing a leisurely circumnavigation of this tiny blip on the map, the storm clouds gather again and blotted out the sun. By the time we were heading back west, the clouds were gone and the sun was so bright and coming at sun an angle that we could not see each other! We picked up the pace on the way back to the bay. As we rounded the point we were both very concerned by the sight of an empty canoe floating in the bay. There was a paddle visible but nothing more. It was an eerie scene but we soon realized the canoe had been anchored there by someone who used it to reach their moored powerboat. We relaxed and coasted around a bit in the sun. There was a big rainbow to the east. A muskrat came to check us out and at one point was not more than ten feet away, making noises similar to a chipmunk. As we headed for shore the clouds again gather and the sky went mostly grey and black, except for a bit of sunlight breaking through above the treeline. Despite all the bluster, it rained lightly for only a few minutes, and then we were presented with an incredible pink and purple sky. TECHNICAL DETAILS Total Distance Paddled: 12 kilometres Total Paddling Time: 2 hours Wildlife Sighted: geese, ducks, terns, shore birds, muskrat Air Temperature: cool to cold when cloudy Water Temperature: cold but not ass-freezing cold