We (Susan & Gerald, Pam & Harold, Lois & John, Dean and Kati) arrived at the put-in under cloudy skies; 20% chance of rain, 100% chance of mosquitoes. Along with the paddling gear the insect repellent was quickly employed. Our group consisted of four solo canoes, two wee-lassies, and two kayaks.
The river banks were lush and we passed some bunches of poppies that were naturalized. As normal for the LM, obstructions were abundant with a couple of portages/lift-overs. And, except for that, everything else was straightforward and easily handled with on-side strokes or power forward. The time not spent maneuvering allowed one to be entertained by the engorged mosquitoes bouncing around on the bottom of the boat, too heavy to fly. Such entertainment proved distracting to one of us who ended up taking an unauthorized swim break.
The paddle ended pleasantly. After lunch the sun came out through a partly cloudy sky, the breeze picked up, and the bugs disappeared. A nicely satisfying paddle.
written by Gerald Wilgus, with photos by John