Opeongo Lake, situated in Algonquin Park, Ontario, is a sprawling expanse of water with arms pointed north, east and south. She has a tendency to test paddlers regularly by inviting brother wind to blow across her waters.
The skilled canoeist can average four to six kilometers per hour by trimming their boat and digging in steadily with their paddles. The rhythm developed over years of paddling comes instinctively and adjusts as conditions change.
When faced with a two to four knot head wind, there is nothing to do but stay on shore or move forward; digging your paddle deep to gain a few inches of travel across a lake which is determined to place you back at your starting position.
This is no time to pretend, this is now time to step up or step out. Mom (nature) doesn't care if you sink or swim, she only cares about the continuation of a cycle of life started long ago; before humans ever existed. Now is the time to humble yourself and work with her rather than fight her.
This video was taken when I decided to go for a paddle after dropping my book off to Algonquin Outfitters. I wanted to check out the campsites for potential future adventures.
The lake taught me what the winter had made me forget. My arms and body remembered the rhythm of the paddle and the wind freed my soul from the chains of society which had ensnared it.
My canoe responded as she was built to do and my paddle dug deep into the waters of Opeongo Lake.
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