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Row Row Row Your Raft Click left side of photo to go to previous entry/ Click the right half of photo to go to the next
    Grand River Rafting Paris, Ontario So we're on to the 2nd half of 2008! Wow, the first half just blew past by but not without a lot of highlights for everyone to learn from, enjoy while reminiscing and for other experiences we hope to forget. *********** We capped the first half of the year with a great event - a paddling experience in the grandest river in Canada - the Grand River! (I apologize for the choice of words, it is early in the morning and the coffee is just brewing) I will try to capture the experience based on what I can remember, the outfitter's website helped a bit to allow me to recall 2 days of great time with family and friends! Here goes... ************ Have you felt so free from all cares that you hope that when you're in that state, that you don't end the feeling? I felt that last Sunday while drifting across the Grand River in Ontario. I mentioned before, that I'm incapable of being relaxed on water, thus not able to swim, but with a lifejacket and a current running at less than 20 kph, I could easily pass up as a great swimmer. As I body-surfed and was drifted by the current, with my view of the skies above and nothing to my left and right but the flowing river, I felt nothing. I didn't feel afraid whether I was about to hit a rock. Nor anxious about what if the current stops and I'm left to float at the deep part of the river. I didn't know whether I'll keep on drifting for kilometers. I just felt bliss. *********** The weekend was perfect! Here was our itinerary: We booked through a recommendation of a friend through a suggestion of a common friend - with Grand River Rafting. We chose to leave the house at 10:00, after Sunday mass and a quick breakfast, but left at 10:30 to arrive at 11:30 (this should be 80 minutes, but it was a Sunday plus I was driving along the 403 at a not-so-proud over the limit speed of 130) . We started paddling close to 12 noon. The sun was glorious and the wind was just perfect. We met Garth at the Three Sisters where we plan to end the paddling approximately 4 hrs from when we started. This was the Oneida Wilderness trip which includes stop overs and trek as well. It really is hard to believe that there is a place like this, 80 minutes away from our house. :) We did a lot of things, most of which I was able to do for the first time. We stopped by to try wild edible plants, including almond leaves - which taste like the nuts themselves.…climbed the hollow sycamore tree - which I was hoping to finish but couldn't… drank from fresh springs… paddled about 1.5km of easy splash… went body surfing on a river swift into a pool… Tripper lunch* along the river… and had lesson on the Mohawk history and wildlife of the valley. But most of all - had a lot of laughs! guffaws and a lot of first time experiences...uh oh, I said that already. * Tripper Lunch… choose a fresh made large wrap stuffed with a choice of beef, chicken, ham, chicken Caesar, turkey or veggie… along with a choice of a large homemade cookie or butter tart, fruit and pop/juice/water. $12 per person (tax included). We ended at half past 4 PM and was ready for some hot tub and swimming at River Ridge Bed and Breakfast. (to be continued tomorrow) - You can view the slideshow here << Bookmark this post on:
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