LandWorks Ex 4 Downeast Lakes Canoe Trip Journal.pdf - Maine.gov

Near campsite we saw small flock of ducks (3?) with red heads and backs that had black and
silver. Carl said definitely not wood ducks maybe in merganser family. (Later research in bird
guide leads me to think probably red heads or canvasbacks, although Maine is a bit out of their
range)
Had lunch, 3ish, pbj on pita with Gatorade and also Boursin cheese on pita. Also oranges and
apples.
The overcast sky had brightened, but it looked like storms might roll in. Carl and I decided to
paddle south on Pocumcus to look at a beach. Phil and Bob took other canoe to look for fishing
spots.
We could see storm brewing and stayed close to shore. At beach, we found a camouflaged
canoe in woods, but no people. Now we could see dramatic storm rolling in – clear air with
clouds roiling and rain in distance. Carl and I paddled like crazy the 2 ¼ miles back, and the
dramatic changing sky made it exciting. 10 minutes after we got back, it poured a deluge.
We were cooking dinner the whole while under my tarp. The camp site had a frame over the
picnic table to rig the tarp lean‐to style, and it was great. Only after a bit the brand new tarp
began leaking from one seam. Dang!
Dinner: Spanish rice with chicken on tortilla with peas on the side. Mocha mousse with graham
cracker crumbs for dessert.
Since I was kind of soggy and cold, I decided to swim after dinner. Got shivering cold and
returned up hill to my tent. Wet stuff is a bit of a problem from rain and water in canoes, but
tent is snug and dry. I have on clean long johns and socks and the world is good.
Wed. July 25
Morning cold enough to be cozy in sleeping bag.Brisk wind from the north or northeast.
Another big breakfast – blueberry pancakes. Looked out on Pocumcus to see whitecaps rolling
right to left. As we ate, waves built to real rollers.
We left camp set up and set off in unloaded canoes on a day trip whose goal was to reach the
dam at Sysladobsis, and maybe carry the canoes over and paddle up to around Big Island.
Exciting paddling with Phil and Bob in Phil’s canoe, and Carl and me in Carl’s. Carl in stern. The
waves made paddling hard work and exciting, with much crashing into the waves some water
splashing into the bow. We decided to start by exploring Deer Brook Cove directly across
Pocumcus. In the cove, much calmer waves, but still breezy. We first paddled to north end of
cove, then downwind to look on the left bank for signs of a Down East Lakes Land Trust trail for