Departure time will soon be here. The Foundation team, the medical team and the Détour Nature guides are busy with the final preparations for what will certainly be an extraordinary adventure. The teenagers are packing and feverishly anticipating D day notwithstanding a little nervousness. No matter, on July 4, all of them will meet to undertake the great adventure! You can follow the expedition as if you were there, right here on the Foundation’s blog. Each day, through her photos and short description, Caroline Hayeur will take you inside the expedition to witness the bonding and see adventure at work.
From July 4 to 16, ten cancer-stricken teenagers will travel the 100 km of the Saguenay Fjord in sea kayaks, in the Saguenay–St.Lawrence Marine Park, during this expedition of the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation!
May we introduce the ten teenagers whose thirteen-days adventure you can follow daily on this blog?
Breeann Hoogwerf, Cardinal
Jordan Kapitany, Ottawa
Julia Mac Leod, Hammonds Plains
Cass Shirani, Châteauguay
Francisco Narvaez, Ottawa
Mylène St-Jean, Embrun
Paméla Hudon, Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean
Jessie Lefebvre, Montréal
Émilie Régnier Trudeau, Boucherville
Hugo Morin, Témiscamingue
The sea kayak is the ideal vehicle to navigate through the majestic beauty of the Saguenay Fjord, and for our participants to discover this wonderfull territory. There is quite a challenge ahead for them! They will leave from Parc Aventure Capjaseux in Saint-Fulgence and head for the Bay of Tadoussac. Our youngsters will experience surprises and activities, namely two special days organized in close cooperation with the Saguenay–St.Lawrence Marine Park and the Parc national du Saguenay. This expedition is organized and produced in cooperation with Détour Nature, adventure tourism brokers. To conclude, the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation would like to thank the following regional sponsors for their generous support: Club Nautique de l’Anse-Saint-Jean, Club de Yatch de Chicoutimi, Auberge la Fjordelaise.
The Guides
Martin Robert – Physician
Kimberley Nixon – Educator
Caroline Hayeur – Photographer, artist and blogger for the 2009 Fjord du Saguenay expedition
Virginie Gargano – Guide for the Foundation
Héléna Lonpré – Director of Operations of the Foundation
Jean-François Dubé – Assistant to operations of the Foundation
Denis St-Amant – Guide Détour Nature
Francisca Thibeault – Guide Détour Nature
A brief look at the 2009 Saguenay Fjord Expedition
July 4 -Rendez-vous at the offices of Détour Nature.
Leave for the Saguenay Region
Transport, snack breaks, arrival and set up for two nights at cap Jaseux near the Saguenay Fjord.
July 5 - Fjord en Arbres, getting to know the sea kayak and preparation for the expedition.
July 6 - Leaving on the expedition. Travel to l’Anse de Sable. First overnight camping.
July 7 to 13 - The heart of the expedition. Tour various sites: l’anse à Didier, la baie Trinité, l’anse du Portage, l’anse aux îlets Rouges, le cap Trinité and many more!
July 14 - Arrival at Tadoussac.
July 15 - Full day of activity organized by the Saguenay–St.Lawrence Marine Park and rest near Tadoussac.
July 16 - Return to Montréal
Arrival in Montréal at the offices of Détour Nature.
Please register to receive the latest news directly from the expedition (top right).
Follow this link to the expedition photographs and all the Foundation photos : http://www.flickr.com/photos/pointedespieds/
Thank you for being there and to follow our expeditions. See you soon on departure day!
It’s hard to wake up and not be nostalgic today. For sure, we will stay in the present and enjoy this last day together, but we cannot pretend this is just another day. After one hundred and sixty kilometres on dog sleds, our minds are full of images of dogs racing on the snow. The blue skies and the freezing cold have given way to grey skies, fine hail and warm weather, quite a contrast with the last few days. We are a beautiful team. There is a common bond of respect between the members. At breakfast, there is much kidding and lots of knowing smiles. Mornings at Batiscan are moments of grace as we slowly awake with a hearty meal. The wooden environment is calming. Virginie, one of our guides, cleans the table and showers us with her good humour. Héléna tells us to get ready to go play outside. We’re going to snowshoe to Inusite (an Indian camp) near the seigniory at the far end of the lake. The teens dictate our tempo; they shove each other in the snow and tease each other. We’re warming up for the great snowball fight planned for this afternoon. They trip each other up and plan their strategy for our version of “The Dog who Stopped the War”. As the proverb goes: “Revenge is a dish best served cold”. This keeps us in the present moment and makes us forget that our wonderful adventure is coming to an end. The fine hail soaks us like rain, but does not dampen our pleasure.
Lunch warms up our hearts. It time to gather energy for the moment of truth. The Triton gang, Nicolas, Davis, Rémy, Cyril and Martin, have devised a Machiavellian strategy. The teens are impatient. I don’t know if their energy comes for the pleasure they enjoy, but the teens are very excited. Finally, the battle is engaged. Ski goggles and snowshoes are used for protection. There are people running left and right, hiding behind snow banks or surging straight ahead to gain ground. There is energy everywhere. Then comes the time for a well earned rest after all the excitement. We take our last dinner together. During the evening, the entire team convenes in a circle to share experiences and talk about things we learned. There is a lot of emotion in the words of our wonderful team members. Even the most hardhearted can’t hold back their tears. These kids are an unbelievable inspiration. Their approach to life is surprising and so mature for their age. Mind you, they have come a long way and this adventure is nothing but the continuation of their perseverance, their courage and their tenacity. We see in these kids a strong and honourable incarnation of the best adventure has to offer. The adventure at the Triton was a rite of passage for many of us. Now, it is up to each one of us to continue on our way and our own adventure. No matter what, life still is the grandest and most beautiful of all adventures. From now on, we can live as in those stories we’d like to write.
Thanks for having been there with us. It was an honour and a pleasure to share this On the Tip of the Toes adventure with you. See you at our next expedition. So long…
This morning we wake up with a feeling of “déjà vu”. Could be because it’s our second night at the Biron. It is quite comforting to wake up surrounded by wooden planks. I come from St-Raymond and I recall that this cabin once belonged to Henry Cayer, a successful entrepreneur born in St-Raymond. What a coincidence. It’s probably been awhile since the cabin was the site of so much excitement. Last evening was quite enjoyable, like the ones before. Our fingers plucked the guitar strings and our most courageous singers entertained us. The atmosphere was as warm and comforting as the fire in the huge fireplace. The mushers and the strong men of the Triton treated us to songs from distant countries where they knew how to party. The teens joined Jean-François in another type of songs, yet just as entertaining. Some were making notes, others, feeling nostalgic already, were taking in the celebrations with a heavy heart. Adventures of this nature are filled with such happiness; we’d like to hold on to it. But, such is life. Every expedition must come to a close and, this morning, March 5, we harness our dogs for the last time. I can tell you this is not easy. Our expedition is not over yet but the “dog sledding” part has come to an end. A lot of us are sad and we hug our dogs with tears in our eyes. Before leaving, the mushers pay us a vibrant tribute and we return the favour with huge hugs as we thank them. They went beyond the call of duty, these guys. Adventure often puts us in contact with wonderful people. In this case, we will long remember their smiles, their generosity and their joie de vivre.
The last few days, rather nights, were difficult for the dogs that endured -25 to -30 degrees. They had to call upon their reserves and they will appreciate being back home. The kennel is ready for them and, you can bet your bottom dollar they will have a well-deserved day off. The sun is out again, and as a bonus, the weather is warmer. We feel like “beach boys” on vacation. Back in Batiscan, we take one last meal with our humble mushers (Coco, Sam and Hugo). Then they leave for home, in the distant Duchenay area. As for us, we get a well-deserved afternoon of rest. It may not seem like much, but a few kilometres running behind a dog sled and some short nights make this rest quite welcome. This is a great time to play hide and seek like when we were kids. Simon, Courtney and Danika are particularly adept at finding good hiding places. During the evening, a few games of “Loup-Garou” and we’re ready for bed. Scott and Karolanne can’t stop giggling and Mélanie, Mickaël and Mathieu treat us to a fashion show. That was a great evening! But, time for bed! Tomorrow we will participate in the Triton Club version of “The Dog Who Stopped the War”. Can’t wait!
We wish to take advantage of this blog to salute the young people who follow our adventures from their hospital bed (Jessie and Joël) or who are fighting their illness. We’re so happy to know you follow our adventure. Jessie, thank you for you kind words. We hope that you will get well and that you’ll be in a position to join us in a future expedition. You are tenacity, courage and perseverance incarnate and please remember that each day, we felt your presence at our side. We think of you. Thank you for being there!
Quiet morning in the camp. Not a stir outside. Not surprising when the thermometer hangs around minus 27. Let’s call this the challenge of the cold on Triton Territory. No way to back out or drop out because we don’t like the situation. We must look ahead, summon up our courage and be on our way with determination! For even better results, you can call upon your team-mates and feed on their smiles. Smiles are abundant in this group. They’re free for any and all to take. Doesn’t do much for freezing toes, but it helps and gives us strength.
Harnessing the dogs was a real pleasure as the sun decided to come up and bring Celsius up with him. We look like yaks, but that ball of light invites us to get on the move. A difficult day waits ahead with no less than 40 kilometres on dog sleds. A sudden stop signals that there is trouble ahead. Indeed, a small problem. The rope between the dogs and a sled broke off and the dogs are loose! Whoa! We catch up with them a little further ahead and proceed to repair the problem. A little later, we stop again, this time to modify the dog teams. The Montreal Canadiens are not the only team in need of substitutions. This is our routine. Sometimes difficult, sometimes cold, full of unexpected problems, but I can tell you that every time we look into the eyes of our teenagers, we see pride, as big as the planet, as if they wanted to shout: “I did it!” What a team of champions!
We end our day at Lake Biscuit in a huge cabin (with an enormous fire place). This will be real comfortable. We earned this rest! The guitar is fidgeting, knowing someone will finally pick it up. Thanks for reading us, the youngsters love it. We think of you and love you.
An out-of-control dog pack howls us awake this morning as if to remind us we’re far from home. Each one of us would rather stay put in our sleeping bags than confront the cold of winter this morning. Nevertheless, it is good to see everyone around the table enjoying a hot coco. The team is now in expedition mode. We’re all in the same boat. Far from our loved ones, from our homey comfort, facing the cold, most of us are struggling to adapt. We’re in this together, facing the challenges of nature and adventure. Our teenagers for their part are united by their battles against illness. They share the closeness of those who understand and respect each other. We’re already a close group.
In an expedition, there is a mandatory schedule. We are run by daylight. We must factor in many tasks such as the meals, packing, taking care of the dogs, harness them and carefully hook them to the sleds, dress properly and ensure everyone is OK, manage our personal effects and make sure we’re not too cold or too warm… In short, an expedition is a giant headache, but let me tell you that it is well worth it.
The day starts with a bang. The dogs are well rested and full of energy. As we are crossing a lake, they can run as hard as they please and burn all that energy. At times, we mistakenly believe they resent pulling all that weight, but it is not the case. These dogs are real machines and when they stop, they keep asking for more. We are quite happy, and our cruising speed is good. The tracks in the forest are a little more technical but all we have to do is reduce our speed. Our teens are enjoying themselves and guide their sleds like pros. Karolane laughs all the time and Simon, her team-mate, seems to be a born adventurer. Mélanie teams up with the attractive Mathieu who behaves like a real gentleman. He takes care of her every need. Courtney is my team-mate. What a girl! She is courageous and a fighter. It is a real pleasure to talk with her and share our dogsledding adventures. These memories will last for years. Scott is with Nicolas, the team physician. Nicolas is full of fun and quite guileless. He is quite funny and takes every opportunity to practice his French. Then, there is Danika and Mickaël. They struggle a little as they shift from one language to the other. Mickaël carves beautiful turns on his sled. A real musher, he is. As for Danika, she talks a lot about her family and how important it is in her life. She is a happy girl. And the rest of the team is aboard the other sleds. Héléna sports rosy cheeks. Her laughter and charm have seduced the group. Jeff is the team clown, but when the need arises, he can be dead serious. He looks after each of the teenagers with great care.
After a hard day’s work in the trails and turns of all sorts, after crossing God knows how many lakes ever so beautiful, we finally arrive at our camp. Surprise! There are no huts and no camps here, only Arctic tents. This will be the ultimate test for our friends. Despite the heat in the tents to cut out the humidity, this is quite the challenge, at minus 15 degrees or less. Time to show courage and resistance. After we set out our luggage and makeshift beds, we congregate around a campfire to relive our day. Lights out, we dive into our huge sleeping bags. Our toques anchored solidly on our heads, we’re headed for dreamland deep into the Canadian cold. Good night, dear team-mates, you are wonderful. Without any hesitation or nervousness, eyes close and snores invade the night.
Adventure has its very own way to bring us face to face with ourselves, to show us what we are made of. Sometimes, without prior notice, it makes us give our best. This is what I am reminded of as I watch them bring their luggage on the balcony of the Batiscan (the cabin where we slept last night). They don’t seem to be too nervous. Rather, they are excited to see the dogs again, as we hear them howling even inside the cabin. It is quite a ruckus, as there are about 50 dogs expecting us near the lake. We rush through the last pieces of French toast, which are carefully dunked in maple syrup (a must!). Étienne and Simon are the kings of the gluttons, devouring French bread plus fruit, plus yogurt, plus litres of juice! No guilt there, as an expedition ensures that we will burn off tons of calories. After a last check-up to make sure we don’t forget anything, we leave the comforts of the Batiscan. See you in five days! Our hosts at Triton, Nicolas and David, make sure every things goes smoothly while they take every occasion to play tricks on us. What a happy pair of woodsmen!
We’re headed for the pack where the mushers will greet us. (Mushers are the people who look after the sled dogs). We are greeted with warm smiles. Their passion is obvious. It is fascinating to see that they speak the dogs’ language. They each sport a beard and seem naturally immune to the cold. As our friends at Triton, the Inukshuks mushers seem to fuse with nature. They are for real! We are each assigned a dog and we slowly learn to befriend them. Courtney seems to have a particularly strong bond with them. The dogs sense this and pay her in return with their kisses. Scott is simply fascinated by the huskies. At first glance, their kinship with wolves is obvious. They are strong and totally at ease in the cold. Their eyes are blue or brown; some of them have one eye of each colour. One of them, Kovou, is basking in the sun with his eyes closed. No stress for this dog! Frisky, on the other hand, is fidgety and anxious to get on his way. The mushers tell us how the dogs simply adore pulling the sleds. It is their work, but they love the action.
One hour passes as the sleds and the dogs are readied. We use this time to familiarize ourselves with the dogs and the operation of the sleds. Our departure is surreal. The teens are divided in teams of two and look after their own sled. The mushers are interspersed among the teens for security reasons. David is at the back on a snowmobile, far enough not to interfere. Strangely, there is little sound. The runners glide on the snow and strangely we seem to be flying over the ice. As we glide in nature, the sleds are in a single file. The dogs follow the lead sled, or at least its scent. They progress with disconcerting assurance as if they knew these lakes. Leading the sled is fantastic and much easier than I had anticipated.
These teens are indeed lucky to be here and experience this wonderful contact with nature. Little by little they open up. After nearly 20 kilometres on lakes and mountains, we come to the log huts where we will find warmth and quiet for the night. They date back to the early part of the century and yet they are still very sturdy. The smoke rising from the chimneys augur well for the delicious meal ahead. On arrival at the camp, the teens warm up for awhile before helping with the routine baggage. Soft and comfortable spaces are dressed up for those dogs most sensitive to the cold (a carefully made small fir bush bedding area). The dogs must have a good night’s sleep, as they are our only means of transport during the expedition. At nightfall, our rosy cheeks are tired. This will be our first real night as “coureur des bois”. Our adventurer friends are surely very proud of themselves. They show no obvious signs of fear or loneliness. Being together makes them strong. They seem well adapted to their new lifestyle. During the night, as I feed the woodstove, I watch our good friends asleep. I am indeed lucky to be here.
Slowly, the group wakes up. We have a busy day ahead of us. I’m reluctant to open the drapes for fear the weather could be the same as when we arrived. I finally do it and I hear a teen shout: “The sun is out!” What a relief! Adventure can be very nice even in foul weather, but I believe we all prefer a nice sunny day. As we approach the dining room, we can smell breakfast. We find eggs, bacon, cereal, toast, etc, enough to please even the most finicky. Most are still sleepy and don’t quite realize we’re in a very special place. Through the window, we see the lake asleep under the ice, guarded by a battalion of conifers at attention. A beautiful sight indeed! Next door, in the kitchen, our hosts are busy preparing the day. They will take advantage of the fair weather to dress up the dog sledding trails. The teens don’t quite realize how much work goes into the preparation of our trek. The territory is huge and our expedition will last five full days. But, for the moment, we must get busy. “Great adventures require great preparations”, as the saying goes. There is a lot of material and information to share with the group, and we must set some time aside to catch a bit of to make this morning perfect.
It’s now instruction time! As we translate from one language to the other, Anglos and Francos take a refresher course in each others’ language. What a sight! Scott and Mathieu are quite fluent in both languages and soon they become interpreters for the others. Simon turns out to be our resident clown. He is quite at ease in this unfamiliar territory. As you can imagine, an expedition of this type requires a lot of material (clothing, accessories and food). Jeff and I model the various pieces of clothing as we illustrate the best way to wear them. The whole experience soon turns to chaos, but apparently the information has been well understood. But there is more to it than this. After a while, we sense some members of the group are overwhelmed and need to be rescued. So we decide to go outside. This is where nature kicks in. The breeze is cool enough to get us moving, the bright sun lights up the snow all around us, the smells of wide open spaces remind us the city is far away, and soft and appeasing sounds create a perfect harmony. After a while running around, the group warms up. Already, we can see that the group is getting closer and it believe you me, it will only get better. At this point, we decide to play a daring game, to test the confidence of our teens. Each participant in turn drops off a small balcony, back first, into the arms of the rest of the team. It’s like falling in a cloud, or in Jell-0 (according to the teens). Karolane tells us she’s afraid of heights, but soon she courageously jumps with both eyes closed. The group catches her and her broad smile eloquently says how proud she is to have confronted her fear. We have here a group of fighters and their courage is inspiring. I wonder if they realize how strong they are?
Time flies when we’re having fun. All too soon we’re back from a snowshoe ride and we realize the afternoon is halfway gone. Time for personal reflection. Mélanie attends to her writing, while Courtney is deep into her book. The boys play cards or chess and Danika chats with Héléna. Let the good times roll, as they say!
It is now getting darker and the stars come out above our heads. On the horizon, various shades of darkness outline the tops of the giant spruce. The silence is strangely noisy as if the ground under our feet was whispering some approaching thing. We go out in the moonlight and suddenly, as ghosts in the night, the dog teams arrive. There are tens of them with many sleds. Yet, all we hear is the wind howling. What an unbelievable scene to see nature in its deep beauty and comfort. We eagerly greet each of the dogs. They are the comfort we were waiting for. Each Husky has a name, some are funny, others more mystic. We have to go as dinner is served and the dogs must rest. Tomorrow, we will get better acquainted with them. We have to rest, as tomorrow is the grand departure. Our minds still full of images, we congregate in the living room before going to bed. Time to reflect on the day as we hold our first group meeting. Each participant is asked to tell the group why they decided to live this experience and express their fears on the eve of the expedition. It is an emotion-filled moment, yet quite positive. After only two days, I see before me a united team, more so that most friendships. I am at a loss to describe their sincerity, but one thing is clear: each one of them chose this adventure to push their limits, and already they have shown their incredible courage in admitting their fears while not showing any weakness. Each expedition reflects those that compose it. In this instance, I believe it will be nothing short of magical.
Héléna, Jean-François and I are waiting for the impending arrival of the teenagers. They are coming from Calgary, New Brunswick, Ontario and Nova Scotia. They are beautiful, first because they are embarking on such an adventure, and because, for the most part, it was their first time alone on a plane. Mathieu is the first one in. With a shy smile he says hello with a solid New Brunswick accent! Wow! After a few minutes it seems were in the Maritimes. That is the nice thing about meeting new people. We’re still at the airport and yet we have the distinct feeling this will be fun. A bit later, the girls arrive. They too are a little shy, which is usually the case at such meetings. No matter, everybody is happy to be there. After some small talk and lots of laughs, we’re on our way to the Youth Hostel in downtown Montreal. We’re off!
February 27 in the morning
In the Montreal jungle, way too early and without any form of guilt, the sun calls us out of bed. The big city is already active and soon we’re on our way to the train station. Slowly, the group comes together. Scott, our young participant from Montreal, tells us about his city, the Bell Centre, and the latest news about the Montreal Canadien. At the station, we meet with the rest of the participants. All goes well. Everyone is looking forward to leave for Triton, the famous venue of our expedition. After the usual salutations, we’re on our way. What a sight! There goes the “Triton 2009” team. They come from different places; they’re all different, yet without a doubt, they are one in this expedition. One by one they board the train followed by a mountain of supplies. In a loud metallic roar, the train surges forward.
In the passenger car, the scene is perfect. Mathieu dazzles us with his magic tricks. Mélanie quickly jots down her first impressions in her notebook for fear of missing something. Mickael has already settled in and engages in a game of “Rock, Paper, Scissors”. No doubt, this is bliss. Slowly and simply, the day goes on. At times, there is laughter and action, followed by quiet periods of reflection. There is a guitar in the baggage. Obviously, it is a matter of time before it comes alive.
It is raining when we arrive at the old train station at Triton. Jean-François, ever the optimist, is quick to convince us it is liquid sunshine. In any event, we’re fully equipped to face much worse. The rain recedes under the smiles of our troop and there is like a film music score in our good mood. At long last, we get to the cabin and our adventurers warm up in this wooden palace. The local team greets us warmly. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is reminiscent of the banquets in the Asterix comic strip. After the meal, we are told the meat pie was made with bear, moose, deer and hare meat. No matter, our adventure promises to be grandiose. For the time being, we listen to the wind blowing though the large spruce trees. Once again, as I look at those smiles, I believe I am witnessing true happiness. After a rather busy day, the team rapidly goes to bed. Never had I imagined that “adventure” could be so sweet. Happily, tomorrow promises to be serene.
From February 27 to March 7, On the Tip of the Toes Foundation will hold its first expedition of 2009. This expedition will take us to the Triton territory in Haute-Maurice. Preparatory meetings are over, and group energy can be felt everywhere. Indeed, one thing is for sure: this expedition will be filled with positive energy and laughter!
Our 8 adventurers are:
Courtney Cunningham from Ontario
Danika Puhlmann from Alberta
Karollane Daraîche from Quebec
Mathieu Nadeau-Lacombe from New-Brunswick
Melanie Novelli from New-Brunswick
Michaël Brouillard from Quebec
Scott Randall from Quebec
Simon Langevin from Quebec
Teenagers will be accompanied by outdoor and medical professionals from On the Tips of the Toes Foundation:
•Héléna Longpré, Operations Manager at On the Tip of the Toes Foundation.
•Jean-François Dubé, Operations Assistant at On the Tip of the Toes Foundation
•Étienne Beaumont, guide for the Foundation.
•Nicolas Tremblay, physician
•Nancy Cloutier, nurse
•The Excursions Triton team
•The Aventure Inukshuk team for the dog sledding portion
Nature, wide open spaces, and the beauty of frozen lakes are all part of the great treasures of Québec.
Territoire du Triton in the Haute-Mauricie woodlands is where we will discover together the world of dog sledding. For five days we will live alongside the dogs, and be responsible for their well-being. Every evening, after about 40 kilometres on the trails, we will warm ourselves by the fire and share our meal. We have the privilege of sleeping in a trapper’s camp and we will have a few warm nights in an arctic tent.
This expedition will also give us the opportunity to learn about snowshoeing and the life style of our ancestors. We can surely expect campfires, open air and snow filled pathways!
So, follow us on the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation blog and don’t hesitate to send us some news!
Saturday Morning, Marie-Josée invited us at her home for breakfast. She prepared a regal feast on a superb table setting. In a joyous atmosphere, we shared our meal one more time.
For their last day at the Havre, our adventurers were treated to a surprise. Pierre and Mireille, friends of Marie-Josée, offered to take us on their catamaran for a ride on the sea. We passed Île du Havre where we spent the first two nights before heading for the open sea for a further exploration of the territory. With the wind blowing in the sails, lying in the netting, this excursion was a wonderful relaxation.
For the last evening, Jeff and Héléna organized an evening around the campfire. As we did midway through the expedition, each of us was asked to describe in one word his or her experience. This was a precious moment of sharing. The generosity expressed by everyone generated for each of us a feeling of exceptional well-being and filled us with energy. These words described for each person what they gained from this experience. You won’t be surprised to learn that I chose the word “Paradise”… Because of the beauty of the site and the rich diversity of the place, but mostly because time came to a halt, because I met exceptional people, because I had a unique experience and because of the many small joys that reminded me of the essence of life. For eleven days, we lived ‘in the present’ away from our usual daily routine. Each one of us will return to this paradise. When times are difficult, this is where we will find strength and inspiration and also the simple pleasure of seeing those smiles again.
We returned Sunday, a little sick at heart but above all, happy! In spite of the distance separating us, we now form a close group. Thank you all!
Time to say goodbye. Thank you for accompanying us on this expedition. I hope you will join us again for the next one…
This is the last morning of the expedition part of our fabulous eight-day epic in the Mingan Archipelago. The seals are singing in the distance. The sun shines brightly and the sea is very calm. We will head for the Havre in peace. We’re all rather slow; our bodies feel the weight of the expedition… It is difficult to leave Paradise!
Kayaks together, we paddle slowly to enjoy our last moments at sea. Exceptional colours, a soft sea breeze and many beautiful birds of different species are with us all the way. We make a last short stop at Île du Havre, our home base island.
As we near the Havre, we sense the end of our adventure. We make a “raft” of our kayaks and we hold hands. Héléna invites us to use these last moments to relive our best memories, take in the images of the wilderness, and fully appropriate our adventure. Everybody applauds, as we are happy and fulfilled by this unique experience. Together, we faced the challenge of this eight-day trip in total autonomy, and we did it with a smile on our face! Congratulations gang! You are heroes and you have carved a special place in my heart.
We paddle past the wharf of the Havre. Sylvie and hospital employees are there to greet us. They congratulate us, as they know what we have just been through. We are in frenzy. One last rallying cry and we bring everything back to Agaguk’s!
After a well-deserved shower, we return to the Inn, our home for the next two days. Whatever is wet, which is pretty much everything, is put to dry. Éric has made a delicious couscous, which we enjoy together around the same table where, eight days ago, we had our breakfast before leaving the Inn on our expedition.
Finally, it’s guitar time, and we hold a group sing-along on the beach with Jeff. We will use the next two days to “unwind” before returning to reality. We make good use of every moment, before going our separate ways.
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During the eight days of this expedition, we saw it all: rain and fair weather, high and low tide, easterly and westerly winds! Today, we have the wind at our backs to get to our last campsite. A welcome situation as we undertake the return trip, the expedition part of our adventure now coming to an end. We have a long way to go, nearly twenty kilometres. While we are not retracing our steps exactly, we will paddle by each island where we slept before reaching Pointe aux morts, on dry land.
It was quite an experience to have the wind at our backs. Paddling, we raced over the water, what a feeling. Indeed, we were flying! We were comfortable despite the size of the waves. To give you an idea, at times we lost sight of the kayak in front of us for a brief moment before it reappeared on top of the next wave. With our tandem kayaks, it was easy to sail under such conditions and the teenagers enjoyed it. They did sing each day, but today there was a special kind of energy, probably because of the wind coming in from the sea.
Safely at destination, everyone got busy. A now familiar routine, the campsite was up in a flash, instructions are no longer necessary, well nearly! Today, we had the best hot dogs and hamburgers in the whole world. Might as well tell you, everything tastes better outdoors. The wind has died down and we spent a wonderful evening, our last, around the campfire. We knew, without saying it, that this was our last evening together, in isolation and away from civilization. There was a bit of nostalgia in the air, but I believe everyone knew that these memories would be with us forever.
Today was a superb day. As our own Alex-Anne said: “It was like the roller-coaster at La Ronde, without the queues.”
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This is the coldest morning of our expedition so far. The wind came up during the night and it continues to blow. We woke up with the wind in our face but we’re comfy and warm in our down jackets. To make things better, Éric lights a fire and we’re invited to warm up in the shelter. During an expedition even the colder mornings are good.
There is a lot of excitement this morning. As usual, we prepare the fruit and hot beverages but today we also blow up balloons, and we’re in a festive mood. This is a special day. This is Nathan’s birthday. O, to turn sixteen in the Mingan Archipelago! Being shy by nature, he seems a little embarrassed as he opens the door and hears his new friends sing “Happy Birthday to You”. His smile says it all… I bet he’ll never forget his sixteenth birthday.
The wind maintains its force. Jacynthe and Éric listen to the maritime weather bulletin. We decide to wait awhile to see if the wind will calm down. We have only a short distance to go, but safety is our priority. As Alex-Ann said so well: “Just turn the kayaks towards the sea and the wind will die down.” There is an opening and we do not have far to go. So we start and head for Grande Île. In record time, we get to our camping site. We all warm up in front of the fire Rino lit before our arrival. Today our group was in a festive mood. Héléna and Jeff had taken care of the candles and the birthday cake. Once more, we’ll go to bed proud of our achievements.
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Even with a rather short distance to go today, we unanimously decided to spend another night on Quarry Island. After the last two days of crossing, a moment of rest, of relaxation and of drying out is welcome. Prevailing winds force us to stay on Quarry Island. A perfect day for Loup-Garou!
Everybody seems happy. This was a slow moving day. While some took advantage of the sun and a small cascade to freshen up, some flew kites, while others made necklaces. Before lunch, Marie-Josée lead a short yoga session, to everyone’s pleasure. What a beautiful picture as they do the moves, in full concentration, on the porch facing the sea. I would even say it’s magical. As you can see, it was a very busy day even without going a long distance.
To close the day, Héléna and Jeff suggest we spend the evening around a campfire talking about the experience we’re living: how we got here, what we liked until now, and what are our wishes for the coming days… This is a private moment for our group. It is one of the high points of the expedition and we will go to sleep having found this particular thing we came looking for. This is a great group and the team spirit is strong. I have often said this was paradise and today I would like to introduce the sixteen angels who inhabit it for the moment.
There is a cheerful trio of girls. Anne-So, as her friends know her, is rather mischievous and quiet. She listens intently and from time to time she makes brief comments. Her laughter is contagious, her smile radiant! Sara is spontaneous and rather naïve. Her attitude often reminds us that it is important to live in the present. Alex-Ann is the unifier and dynamic element. She often launches the singing by raising her paddle.
Now the boys: Paul, our resident comedian and Loup-Garou host, has an overactive imagination. Brendan has a good sense of humour. He is rather sensitive and open to others. He likes to talk to everybody, guys or girls. Nathan is a little shy but he is always ready to paddle, to laugh and have fun. He is opening up. Finally, Julien is our artist. He loves to draw and will end up an architect or comic strip designer!
The Agaguk Guides: Éric and Jacynthe are on the sea with us while Rino stays in the background to make sure we are safe. They are pros, cooks and interpreters of nature and each of them contributes to the tone of our expedition while allowing us to sail with our mind at rest. The Medics: Kim, Christine and Marie-Josée watch over our physical and social health and are full-fledged members of our group.
Team ‘On the Tip of the Toes’: My colleagues Héléna and Jeff. I’m so proud of them. They are simply beautiful to watch. I am impressed by their professionalism. It is a privilege both to work with them at the office and to be with them in this expedition.
And then, there is little old me hoping to properly convey to you the atmosphere of this wonderful adventure. Henceforth, we are a solid group: the Mingan 2008 Tip of the Toes Foundation group. This experience and these encounters will be with us for the rest of our lives.
We’re all in the same boat, even if it’s a sea kayak
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Brendan seems satisfied with his experience in the rain yesterday. This morning, we awake to a bright, sunny day. The early risers even saw a tern “fishing derby” at sun up. Quite a sight, as they dive head first in the water and come out with a fish in their beak.
Another big day ahead for us. Two crossings are planned, but the On the Tip of the Toes adventurers slept well and they are ready! Again this morning, as soon as we awake, we take down the tents, have breakfast and we get ready to sail as early as we can. Our routine is now set: in no time flat the tents are folded. Like true adventurers, each one of us knows what to do!
The sea is rather flat this morning. The further we get away from civilization, the more magical the scenery becomes. It’s been awhile since I’ve said it: “It’s really paradise!” Terns, razor-billed auks and stints come by to say hello and the monoliths are increasingly beautiful and amazing. It’s like paddling in a natural cathedral. Young and not-so-young marvel at the scenery. There is so much to look at, we can’t take it all in.
After paddling awhile, we undertake our first crossing of the day. In preparation, we slip on our windbreakers, our mitts, and, as an energy booster, we add a cereal bar… The crossing is rather quick despite a soft side wind. The incoming tide is helpful. After a short pause on Niapiskau Island, we decide to do the second crossing before lunch. This will lead us to our overnight camping site on Quarry Island and we’ll have the rest of the afternoon to ourselves. We could even take the path across the island to see the monoliths on the South shore. With a song in our hearts, we rapidly get to the island. Éric congratulates us for our steady rhythm. Hooray for our side!
After setting up camp and drying out, we congregate in the shelter for yet another happy and delicious dinner. After a short one-hour nap, we’ll head for the other side of the island, using the pathway in the middle of the island. Before taking off on our walk, Marie-Josée gives our adventurers an initiation to the benefits of Yoga… Tomorrow morning, we’ll repeat the experience!
As we walk along the path, Jacynthe points out some of the secrets of the island’s plants and minerals. The monoliths are simply impressive! Back around the table, we have the privilege of tasting Éric’s spaghetti sauce, a family recipe, and some garlic butter and cheese croutons
Have I told you this is paradise?
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Yesterday, for fear of dehydration, we all played the game: “I Drink Water, Do You?” The end result obviously was that everybody got up at least once during the night to pee! Brendan’s wish became reality as it rained during the night and we woke up to a fine drizzle. Adventurous and curious by nature, Brendan wanted to experience a full day kayaking in the rain. He got his wish! Nevertheless, in no way was the morale of the group affected! On the contrary, the day started with an early wake-up call requested by Éric and Jacynthe, followed by a quick breakfast and an extremely efficient take down of the tents. The idea was to get going as early as possible as this was to be a long day.
We headed for the open sea under a clouded sky, which did not dampen the superb smiles and the steadfast determination to go a little further in our exploration. Today, everything is Brendan’s fault, even the disappearance of the clouds followed by the return of the sun. We paddled around the île du Havre and as we came to the point we were met by a westerly headwind. This meant constant paddling to make sure we were making headway and not backing up. The sun was a welcome presence for this first important crossing. This was a challenge for all. For the first time since our departure, the wind forced us to give it our best.
For miles around you could hear them sing the house version of the well-known (French) Christmas song “Vive le vent, vive le vent, vive le vent de la mer”. (TRANSLATOR’S NOTE: This a the French version of “Jingle Bells” where the lyrics of the first verse were changed to “ROWING through the WIND”.) The joyous song energized us and is now part of the famous memories collection of the Foundation. Sure enough, some of us, adults and teenagers alike, were a little discouraged, but you can imagine how proud we were when we got to our destination! Our guides, Éric and Jacynthe praise us. This was a real strong and constant wind. Hooray for our gang!
During the afternoon, while part of the group slumbered in the sun and wind, Jeff and Héléna invited us to play our first game of Loup-Garou. Interrupted by a small shower, the game ended at suppertime. Before the meal as an appetizer, we took a walk to the end of the island.
Brendan was right; sea kayaking in the rain can be enjoyable. It was a busy yet beautiful day. We’re proud of our efforts today and we’ll sleep well.
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I know, I’ve said it already, but this is truly paradise. After a hard day, we decided to let the group sleep in. They need to replenish their energy before continuing their exploration of the islands. Gently, they wake up, have breakfast and use this free time to take in the scenery. We’re now on expedition time, i.e. time is not the same anymore, it does not exist.
Meeting on the beach with Jeff and Héléna to brief us on the coming days and to sound out the group. We are embarking on an 8-day sea kayaking adventure, cut off from the world, not your average walk in the park. There is no doubt that together we can face this challenge. Already, we’re a closely-knit group and the adventure can only bring us even closer together. Energy is high and the determination palpable!
Who said the water was cold in Mingan? Believe it or not, this morning after breakfast, we went swimming! We even played in the water for a while. Seriously, water temperature aside, this is like a holiday at Club Med. Don’t worry, after lunch we’ll go kayaking. Éric and Jacynthe tell us that swimming is not that frequent in Mingan… Another milestone for the On the Tip of the Toes adventurers!
As they wait for lunch, some hunt for seashells, others take a walk on the shore, others simply take in the scenery while Paul draws in the expedition logbook. After a copious lunch, we’re off on our daily excursion. We sail on a glassy sea. During this first real day of kayaking we discovered a lot: terns, seagulls, black guillemots, sea urchins, starfish, all kinds of algae, and more. Young and old, we all marvel at the beauties of nature. It’s simply wonderful. Wonderful is not strong enough to describe this beauty! To top it all, seeing the kids in this setting is simply marvellous!
All these colours, these smells and this bliss remind us of Bertrand: Happy Birthday, Bertrand! For those who do not know him, Bertrand has often marked his birthday during an expedition of the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation where he was the resident certified life child specialist, a full-fledged member of this family.
Tonight, we eat in English. It’s just as much fun! And by the way, don’t worry, nobody will loose weight during our adventure! Tomorrow we’re off for île XXX in another part of the archipelago. Big day ahead, so it’s early to bed tonight.
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Our second day was beautiful, wonderful, and quite busy. Early in the morning, the sun came up and stayed with us all day. Today is the day! The sea kayak expedition has started. The guides of Expédition Agaguk, Éric and Jacynthe, join us. They arrive, all smiles, and cook one of those delicious omelettes for us to share.
This is paradise! Some in groups, others by themselves, they take in the scenery, play with Rosie (the Auberge dog), or daydream on the rocks. After a first application of sunscreen, we pick up our stuff and head for the headquarters of Expédition Agaguk, our departure site.
The day is still young and we have much to do before we leave. Technical details are important to make our sea kayak trip enjoyable for everyone. Most important is the selection of personal effects and to store them in either our day or night bag. Easy? Not really!
A sea kayak is a wonderful craft that gives us a wonderful feeling on the water, but it has limitations, mainly the size of the watertight cargo bins. Jean-François, A.K.A. Jeff, gives us a lively demonstration on how outdoor adventurers dress and pack their stuff. The main objective is to maximize the enjoyment of the trip in the highest degree of comfort, which depends, among other things, on our ability to remain dry for as long as possible! Everything is planned and designed to be relatively easy. Once we got our things together and before putting them in our bags, Héléna and Jeff carry an inspection to make sure that nothing is missing but mostly, that there nothing superfluous… A good decision!
We’re finished packing, but there is still a lot to do. Before continuing, we lunch on a generous fresh shrimp salad.
Now, Éric and Jacinthe brief our adventurers on the first day’s itinerary. Everyone listens carefully, there are some questions, but we can’t wait to get on the water! Once our wet suits are on, we get to the crux of the process: find room for EVERYTHING in the watertight compartments. Every free inch of space is used.
There is still a long way to go. Before we leave, Éric and Jacinthe give us a demonstration of the basics of sea kayaking and we’re finally off to île du Havre. What a sight! They look like real adventurers. Once we hit land, we set up the tents and get ready for the night. They look like busy ants, with broad smiles.
What a beautiful day! What a beautiful and full day! We learned a lot, we experienced many new things. A good night’s sleep is sure to follow. Tomorrow, we go at sea to explore this beautiful setting.
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Be sure to check our new Web site: www.pointedespieds.com
They’re all there! Seven beautiful teenagers, their best smiles and the sunshine! First day, first exchanges for everyone. Good byes to the family, the last hugs, and we’re ready to take off at 2 p.m. A little nervous and very excited, we get acquainted during the waiting time and the flight. AC8716 is now famous, as it is Julien’s first time on an airplane, and we make a stop in Quebec City to drop off some passengers. Two for one time for all! In a few hours, after two takeoffs, two landings, and a few hundred kilometres on a bus, we will reach the river’s edge.
After landing in Sept-Îles, transferring the luggage to the bus, we’re on our way to Havre Saint-Pierre where we will meet with the Expédition Agaguk guides and Marie-Josée. There is happiness in the air already! We’ve been travelling for hours, but we’re by ourselves for the first time, and we’re finally on the North Shore. ”The expedition starts now”, says Héléna! Indeed we’ve just started, but it seems they are long-time friends. On the highway that gives us our first glimpse of the North Shore scenery, they chat and they laugh. Friendships are developing. Jeff and Héléna predict a memorable expedition… Once again.
We will spend our first night at the Auberge de la Minganie in Havre Saint-Pierre, a former fishing camp at the mouth of the Romaine River. There are three picturesque cabins, one for the girls, one for the boys, and one for the adults. Before bedtime, we play games to stretch our legs and memorize everyone’s name. To close the evening, Jeff shows us how to use a sleeping bag. Tomorrow, we will wake up in the fantastic setting, we will tame the sea kayak, and we will navigate to Grosse Île where we will spend the night! Tomorrow, we’re off on our adventure!
The photos of the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation are available at the following URL:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pointedespieds
Special Invitation!!! Come see the Foundation’s rejuvenated Web site at : www.pointedespieds.com
As you know, the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation is leaving for an expedition, August 14-24, and we are happy to share with you these privileged moments, these smiles worth a thousand words, and these fantastic sites.
For its second summer expedition, the Foundation offers an exceptional destination to the seven cancer-stricken teenagers who have accepted the challenge. During the next eleven days, we will travel trough the unique setting of the Mingan Archipelago in sea kayaks. Through the ebb and flow, we will discover the unique and varied flora and fauna of this wonderful area. We will paddle around 500 million-year-old monoliths.
You are invited to witness and be the privileged accomplices of our young adventurers as they live through this expedition. The On the Tip of the Toes Foundation, in partnership with Expédition Agaguk, sets up the expedition.
The North Shore
Lined by the majestic St-Lawrence River, the North Shore is a natural paradise for those looking for spectacular vistas. Everything here is out of proportion. One can see immense areas of boreal forest, through which flow colossal rivers en route to their ultimate destination, the St-Lawrence River.
This area of Quebec is the perfect destination for those who seek a feast for their eyes! Each day, we will travel through this rich and diversified natural setting. Our destination, the Mingan Archipelago, is located between the Island of Anticosti and the shores of Havre-Saint-Pierre.
The Mingan Archipelago
Witnesses of ancient times, the islands of the Mingan Archipelago are many and extraordinary. Each has its own history and is home to a diversified fauna and flora. The islands go back to pre-historic times, well before the dinosaurs appeared on earth! These rock formations are estimated to be 500 million years old. This is a fascinating story that you will discover throughout your voyage. The name Mingan originates from the Basque, meaning “sand bar”, probably a reference to the neighbouring sand bar where the village of Longue-Pointe is located today.
The islands are not only an oasis of rocks and sand. Indeed, life is rich in this unusual décor. There are more than 450 species of plants, of varied colours and shapes. One hundred or so of them have been designated “rare and of interest”.
The fauna is just as impressive. The Islands is home to flocks of marine birds, seals, whales and even dolphins! With a little luck, we could see on the horizon a baleen whale, the largest of all mammals? We could also witness the antics of a humpback whale or even a flock of Atlantic puffins. All part of the many things to see, learn and experience!
The Sea Kayak Expedition
The ideal way to explore large bodies of water without disturbing their tranquillity, sea kayaking is easy to learn. The expedition will allow you to become familiar with this wonderful sport. Each day, we will discover “new small wonders” that can only be accessed through this mode of transportation. We will visit monoliths, fossil sites and, if we’re lucky, we might even see those who have been called the guardians of the archipelago, the common seals.
This expedition will undoubtedly allow you to be the privileged spectator of nature’s splendour. It will also be a special opportunity for you to meet other active youths. Many bonds will be born of this voyage, and each day we will grow closer to becoming a strong team, ready to face any and all challenges.
So why not start right now to dream of things to come: the immensity of the river, the fauna, the kayak, the islands and, most of all, the other youths who, as yourself, will share an extraordinary adventure, because they are themselves extraordinary.
Thephotos of the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation are available at the following URL:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pointedespieds
Special Invitation!!! Come see the Foundation’s rejuvenated Web site at : www.pointedespieds.com
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