Robert Jacobs
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wrote:
The countdown to Killarney started September 6th 2001. We as the physically educated of Orillia District Colligate and Vocational Institute being part of the grade twelve leadership program first studied ethics of backcountry travel. Twas the first year for the course first semester. PHL Course Instructor and department leader, Physical and Health educator R.Bauer was not my teacher but my mentor. September 7th we went over our roles and duties here we learned the rules so to know how to break them properly. September 10th we covered paddling skills as this was a canoe trip, a trip into the most beautiful and natural environment. Being born and brought up North of Toronto, a town and country of Orillia there are tall tall trees and waters, some seas so sometimes my eyes are blind and I can be totally oblivious to my better then great surroundings. So on September 11th I was "on-water"- practicing the J stroke a bit of the power stroke then to draw the canoe in of Lake Couchiching I learned how a canoe over canoe rescue works. I was then taught to carry the canoe over my head to be named Miss. Canoe-Head. This all took place between 11:00am and 3:00pm I was in the best conditions on the worst of terms. As far as our neighboring big brother and her lady of liberty at the heart of New York were concerned, here I stood as like many of my classmates with a canoe up top my head. How it will never be forgotten by the population and from the minds that were amongst me at this time in History. After the day was through I went home to where I wrote in my journal of the days events as I sat on my back door deck which over looked the Lake of Couchiching and the statue of Sir Samuel DuChamplaine the French who had founded my surroundings into which I call home. I always kept a journal, ever since I learner the language of English. I v got a collection now. September 12th to the day of departure Friday September 21st as a class there was much to cover and to prepare for, to hope for the best, to prepare for the worst. The class consisted of 19 students or so, broken up into canoe partners and then tripping groups(strong with not so strong and then no friends were assigned together, however we were all friends. We then studied basic first aid and how to deal with hypothermia, search and rescue, weather and what not have you. As groups we planned our own meals and did the shopping as well, then from that food "breakdown", packing and meal organization. We being a group of seven then Mrs. Waite our "Leader" spent close to 200$ for five days little did we know we would be there for six. So we as a group had more then enough and stick upon stick of beef jerky courtesy Country Meats and our Ryan whom worked there. Thursday September 21st was the day of the last minute scramble. And it was I had skipped that day to do laundry(which was a lengthy process at the time) finally packing. We did share canoe sacks however being camping since I been knee high to a grasshopper I took the liberty of packing a personal backpack. AM,. There we were at school loading the bus and canoe trailer, 8:17am we're gone. Everyone was so excited and full of the stuff when there are 19 boys and girls at the age of seventeen and almost eighteen for many in such close proximity(a bus) you know that stuff. Here I disrupted the gorp which lasted all week long, yum,yum. Then slept on the canoe packs at the back. I hadn't a rain coat so bought a poncho for 2.50$ A blue poncho that when I wore it, and oh yes I wore it that 2.50$ went a long ways. I looked like a recling bin but it protected my fleece and kept me dry, partially. Bauer got the permits then there we were Carlyle we paddled in to Lake Jonnie. Nice route, not raining, just spitting. Satisfying super, steak and cheese. Mrs. Waite’s mother had made this great cranberries and tomato loaf, defiantly double aces. A wading moon it was night now and the way I feel immortal maybe but at my best. The wind picks up Mr. Bauer’s group should be here momentarily for campfire I cross a common and its eerie cry.
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