The real journey . . . My Job

It isn't my job to travel around the world to the most amazing places. That would be too easy. There are too many of them to name. They are too easy to find in all the travel guides. Especially beaches!

My job is to find what's there wherever I end up.

Here's one story where I literally saw the light in the dark.

Laying in bed in the middle of the night in a little rental cabin on Lower Beverley Lake in Delta, Ontario, Canada, I tossed and turned, “How am I going to write a story about beaches in this destination? There is only one small public beach at Lower Beverley Lake Park. It's May, the water is still cold, it's raining on and off, and the wind is blowing 25 km/hr with 40 km/hr wind gusts. This is not even good beach weather!”

The cabin's Daddy Long Legs Spider, nestled in the corner of the bathroom ceiling, didn't seem to be making any progress with his job either. I knew he wouldn't move from that spot, so he was the only cabin spider allowed to stay.

The cabin clock ticked.

That day, I had barely gotten through breakfast because taking pictures of what arrived or passed by our cabin window was way more interesting than ham and eggs.

Then it hit me before dawn broke. Your beaches story is right in front of you, you idiot! This cabin is on a little wild beach. There's a lot going on right here, and it's pretty awesome. What's your definition of a beach? Did you forget that this is a beach too? Amazing things are right outside your door.

Even the moon was full that night and peeking through the rain clouds. The cabin heron, a regular visitor, was keeping watch on the little point to the right.

How lucky can you be?

My next story with more images and information is up on The Great Waterway, a cool Ontario tourism website where I'm a regular blogger, if you'd like to check it out and see more of what was at the beach.

Beaches – Lower Beverely Lake, Delta, Ontario

Happy trails!
The BaffinPaddler

Kayak camping at Newboro lockstation on the historic Rideau Canal

You never know where your pivotal moments will be with you and your kayak. Newboro is one of mine.

There is something special about kayak camping. Having your kayak so near is comforting. Living with it and traveling from place to place in it on an expansive historic waterway like the Rideau Canal in Ontario, Canada, is a compelling experience. You really feel like a paddler. And you are!

The motor boaters along the route look at you in wonder. “How do you survive in such a small craft with hardly any space to haul stuff?” Others remark, “Ah, it's such a romantic notion.”  They sometimes think out loud and ask themselves if they could do it too when they see how small our tents are. Then they shake their heads, “I don't think so!”

It makes me laugh, because I'm thinking the same thing!

Spending time with my sea kayak, a little tent, and a couple of paddle buddies in this inspiring location was somehow a pivotal moment for me. A moment, several years ago, when I felt like I really became the BaffinPaddler blogger and a real paddler, not just someone who paddles around. It's interesting how the water and a kayak can help you find where you need to go.

Kayak camping is a great balancing act. You learn to live with less. You learn to appreciate all the everyday luxuries you usually take for granted. You also learn that you packed too much stuff and managed to get it into your kayak! You deserve a medal.

For more information about kayak camping at Newboro Lake and lockstation number 36 on the Rideau Canal system, my next story is up on The Great Waterway, a cool Ontario Tourism website where I'm a regular blogger, if you'd like to check it out.

Kayak camping at Newboro - Let me linger a little longer . . . 

Happy trails!
The BaffinPaddler