That Sunday we set out to explore a section of Manitoba that I had only heard about but had never visited, Coca Cola Falls. This is a beautiful area of Manitoba, a real gem.
We set off from Winnipeg and drove to Drifters Inn, Lac du Bonnet where we met up with Adrian of Wild Harmony Canoe Adventures (http://www.wildharmony.ca/). He took us out to a launch site a few kilometers from the Mcarhur Hyrdro Dam. There we set off and crossed the Lee River to the start of the Coca Cola creek ( I believe that what it is called). Within a short time we where there, exploring and snacking on launch. It was a beautiful area and it was wonderful to come by canoe. However looking at the trail that went around the area, it was marred by ATV tracks which were full of water which was an unpleasant sight and made it difficult to get around.
After the restful stop at Coca Cola Falls we headed out to an old gravel mine. It was really beautiful the clear water. Our guide Adrian told of us of the fish that would come to the surface of the water if we sprinkled bread on the water. We then hiked the short way back to the canoes for our final journey back to the canoes.
As we went up the Lee river we notice dark clouds on the horizon and even saw a few lightening strikes. We knew it was time to get off the water. As we approached our destination where the cars and trailer where we came to a bit of white water and other rapids. Since the water had gone down a few meters the rapids had emerged. The majority of us on the trip were not familiar with white water or rapids and this was a bad time of year to start to learn as the water was very cold if we fell in. Adrian and others surveyed the area and the best route was to launch after the white water rapids and avoid the other rapids further down the stream the paddle to the spot where the cars where parked.
After a full day of paddling my muscles were quite tired and I am not a very experienced paddler. So I and my friend started off from the rocks and began to paddle out into the current just as Adrian had advised. The current was strong and pushed the little canoe about, pushing us closer to the rapids that would have tipped us or pushed us further away from our destination. I looked back and saw the rapids, Adrian from on shore urged us to paddle harder, I yelled to my friend in the stern to paddle hard and using all my strength, which after a whole day of paddling was really on its last legs, paddled for all that I was worth, pulled the canoe away from the rapids that would have spun us around and then some, safely to shore.
I was quite an experience, one that I hope in the future to do again.
Links:
http://travelingluck.com/North+America/Canada/Manitoba/_5924596_Coca+Cola+Falls.html
Photos:
http://www.meetup.com/Winnipeg-Biking-Hiking-and-Paddling-MeetUp/photos/25454612/
Meet Up:
http://www.meetup.com/Winnipeg-Biking-Hiking-and-Paddling-MeetUp/
