[link to photos at bottom]

Although we had some great trips, Julie and I didn't get out very much last
year, but we've since moved to a waterfront property on a bay of the Ottawa
River which means the pleasure of a paddle no longer requires a long drive
with all the loading and unloading that goes with it.

We'd been eagerly anticipating our first trip out, and at times it seemed
like the ice would never melt! Although it appeared that our bay was mostly
still frozen over this morning (April 16) by the afternoon there remained a
large sheet of thin ice in the middle, but more than enough open water to
get out and explore.

The air temperature was about 14 degrees, and the water temperature was
ass-freezing cold. We set off for the mouth of Constance Creek with no
particular plan. On our way we floated through some flooded forest, which is
always one of those uniquely exhilerating spring experiences.

The creek starts off quite wide, but after a couple of kilometres it starts
to look like a creek. A couple more kilometres after that and it barely
looks like a stream in places! There are endless twists and turns and
staying with the main channel was tricky at times. There were few signs of
civilization along the way, save for the one section where there are golf
courses on each side. The foursome on the Eagle Creek course looked rather
surprised to see us, and maybe we shook them up (their putting was
horrendous!).

The wildlife was spectacular. Although Constance Creek and the surrounding
area is known for attracting birdwatchers, it is still very early in the
season and there weren't too many species about. However, we did see
numerous ducks, geese, red-winged blackbirds, a single kingfisher, and an
enormous osprey on an overhanding branch dining on a still-squirming fish!
We saw muskrats and beavers galore. The beaver population seems enormous,
and evidence of their presence is everywhere.

After the golf courses the creek is narrow and there is a pretty strong
current. There are plenty of beaver dams and fallen trees, and we could see
that in probably not more than a couple of weeks it will be impossible to
get through this section.

We did not get started today until about 4:00 pm and as we reached the
bridge at Vance's Side Road, it was time to make a decision. Turn back, or
keep pushing on, perhaps even making it all the way to Constance Lake? The
creek was wider here and it would be a fairly easy paddle. But it was at
least another ten kilometres and then another ten back.

After a brief discussion we decided to head back. It was a great decision.
Not only did the sun sink quickly, but the physical realities of a 16km
first season paddle started to hit home with a variety of aches and pains
from specialized muscles gone dormant over the winter.

The short trip from the mouth of the creek to our backyard landing seemed
ten times longer than it did in the opposite direction. We arrived about 30
minutes ahead of a beautiful sunset and lingered a bit near the edge of the
ice. A fantastic start to a new paddling season!

Pictures: www.gokayaking.ca (Journey 48)