Sunday, July 5: Tree hopping and preparations.

fondation sur la pointe des pieds

This morning, we woke up with the impression we had to learn how to sleep with a mummy (sorry, I meant a mummy-shaped sleeping bag). Happily for us, JF gave us a rather artistic demonstration during the afternoon.
We can’t wait to get into our kayaks, but first, a little aerial travel. After breakfast, we go tree hopping. With harnesses and snap hooks, we try our hand on the test run. After the test, they decide there will be a ground crew made up of myself, your blogger, and Jessie, TERRIBLY afraid of heights, and Jordan. We simply walk in the forest on terra firma! The rest of the group goes at it and six of them will successfully complete the run!
Near the end of the run, Émilie, in a long speech, tells us that should she die, we are to tell her family and her boyfriend that she loved them. Hugo and PamĂ©la are such pros they could be instructors and Cass is smiling so much that her jaw is more sore than her arms. Francesco, ever concentrated, never gave up and despite being a litte tired, he completes the run as a true champion. Says he: “It was hard but fun and I’m proud I did it!”. Breeann also completed the run and he tells us:  ‘It feels good when you accomplish something and I saw a bunny in the woods.”  The run ends with a 27-second Tyrolean traverse and Julia was ready to do it all over again right there and then!
Each gave it it’s all, and from my point of view on the ground, the whole thing seemed quite extreme! After all that effort, lunchtime is welcome. So is a little respite. During the afternoon, it’s class time: “HOW TO PREPARE YOUR LUGGAGE FOR A KAYAK EXPEDITION”. Our teachers, JF, Virginie and HĂ©lĂ©na are really funny mimes! After a good laugh at their expense, we head back to our cabin to pack our stuff in waterproof bags. Serious stuff, that! It’s nearly worse than my own room, MylĂšne tells me. It was an uphill battle, but we managed to stuff our clothing in those precious waterproof bags that should keep us dry during the next eight days.  Tomorrow is the big day, so, good night all!

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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!



Comments 2

  1. Cass_mom wrote:

    Hello Everyone! Hi Cass!!!
    We were so excited to see your pictures and are thrilled that you are having a great time! We miss you and your smile, and know that you are living a fantastic experience discovering all that Quebec has to offer!!!
    We cannot wait to hear all about your expedition when you get back.
    Enjoy youself, live every moment and we will be awaiting your return!
    Love Mom and Kamran
    PS Kam won’t admit it but he misses you!!!

    Posted 08 Jul 2009 at 19:57
  2. Linda MacLeod wrote:

    Hello everybody, and especially to Julia.
    Wow!!! It looks like you are all having a lot of fun in the wilderness. I hope the weather and temperature is better than it is here at home. Can’t wait to hear all your stories when you get home. Have a wonderful time, and we will follow your adventures with this blog and the photos.
    Miss you. Love Mom, Pa, Madeline, Leland and Molly

    Posted 08 Jul 2009 at 21:11

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