VERMILLION

This 1988 trip was to change my life.

I got a phone call that took me away from a failing attempt to resolve my first marriage. When I returned, it was irreconcilable.
The trip leaders needed an experienced guide to pair with a novice paddler. They offered a great discount to me to do this and since they were friends and I needed to get away from my "home" situation, I took the offer.

It was a one week trip that started was a good distance north of Trois-Rivieres.
The put-in was somewhere southwest of La Tuque.
The take-out was in Rapide-Blanc, northwest of La Tuque.
The 8th night was an impromptu mutiny as a motel on the way home.

Our meeting place at John Berry's boat making building in Reparius, NY.

My van loaded and ready to go. Saturday, day 1.

Encampment at the put-in, night 1 and night 2. The shuttle getting two vehicles to the take-out took a full day.
I sure wish I had a dash cam in my van. That shuttle run was a high point of the trip. Three vehicles, Keech leading (former Sprite road racer), I was second in my Dodge van, and Sparks was sweep in, I forget, a minivan or the like. Gravel roads through a ZEC (conservation zone) at the fastest pace possible. Sparks tells me my van was air borne at one point going over 60mph atop a rock ledge. We made it.

Finally on the Vermillion River. Deb Sparks (nurse) and Agnes (age 72)

The beginning on day one was easy and lasted until lunch time.

After lunch, the portage was necessary due to the gorge ahead. The lake turned out to be a floating bog followed by a long carry back to the river.

Night 3 on a beach just below the gorge was cramped.

Keech and Ann LeClair, trip leaders, studied the maps supplied to us.

Agnes takes a leisurely paddle in the pool by camp.

View of night 3 camp below the gorge.

Okay, we're ready to get going.

That's me. Many rapids were lined lettings the loaded boats descend controlled by these ropes.

My partner, Regina. She was on a diet AND didn't know she was pregnant at the time. (it wasn't me)

One of the paying customers making their way.

Ann and Sparks analyzing a drop. Do we line or carry ?

This one is a carry. Whenever possible, we leave the boat loaded and use team work.

Everyone else was on the other side of the island. I wanted space on night 5. Tomorrow is my 40th birthday.

We chose not to use this camp. We camped outside and semi-partied for my birthday, night 6.

The take-out in sight. When we landed, we were met by a local doctor on an ATV who brought us a case of cold beer, unexpectedly. Night 7. The next morning, it's time to collect the cars from the put in, another long shuttle. No picture for the trip home that was planned for the same day. But several mutinied and we took over a motel. Very interesting story.