Part I
Thursday, August 11, 2011
PADDLE ON FOR SOLDIER ON TRIP PICTURES - UPDATED FOR GENERAL PUBLIC
I realized that the former links were only accessible through Facebook. If you'd like to see some of the many pictures taken during our journey down the Rideau please follow the links below.
Part I
Part II
Part I
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
CTV OTTAWA NEWS COVERAGE OF PO4SO
If you'd like to see CTV Ottawa News' coverage of Sunday's Paddle On for Soldier On's arrival go to ottawa.ctv.ca and click on "Retired Soldiers Kayak to Help Injured Troops" under the CTV News Video Player.
Monday, August 8, 2011
PICS AT THE ARRIVAL
Here are a few pics from yesterday's arrival.
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| Happy to see family and friends at the end of the nine-day paddle. |
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| Despite his illness two days ago Rob was there to greet me at the end. |
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| Giving the CTV reporter an interview on PO4SO. |
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| My supportive wife and acting-blogger speaking with the CTV reporter. |
AFGHANISTAN VETERANS APPRECIATION DAY
Good evening everyone,
The Manotick Legion requested that I pass the attached information for information. If you know of any Afghanistan Vets please pass this on.
Thank you.
The Manotick Legion requested that I pass the attached information for information. If you know of any Afghanistan Vets please pass this on.
Thank you.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
PO4SO ARRIVES IN OTTAWA
Hello everyone,
Today, at 1500hrs, I arrived at Lock #8 in Ottawa to be greeted by family and friends. Rob was there, feeling much better.
As I just got home this will be a short blog entry with more to follow later on. I would like to mention that CTV Ottawa was there at the Take-Out-Point to interview us and will be airing a small clip at 1800hrs followed by a longer portion during the 2330hrs local news.
Today, at 1500hrs, I arrived at Lock #8 in Ottawa to be greeted by family and friends. Rob was there, feeling much better.
As I just got home this will be a short blog entry with more to follow later on. I would like to mention that CTV Ottawa was there at the Take-Out-Point to interview us and will be airing a small clip at 1800hrs followed by a longer portion during the 2330hrs local news.
DAY 9 - THE FINAL LEG - COME CHEER ON MARC AS HE ARRIVES IN OTTAWA!
Yesterday afternoon, Marc spent more time with members of the Mantoick Royal Canadian Legion. Marc mentioned it was one of his favourite days as everyone was so welcoming and supportive. I am happy to report that through various members of the Legion, they donated over $500 to Soldier On!
Marc spent last night at Long Island locks and intended to hit the water this morning at 8 a.m. We estimate that he will arrive in Ottawa at 3 p.m. Come out and cheer him on at the top of the Ottawa locks, on the west side of the canal, nearby the Chateau Laurier. The Weather Network is calling for 70-80% chance of thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. If there is lightening, it may delay his arrival. I will try to keep you updated regarding any delays.
Marc spent last night at Long Island locks and intended to hit the water this morning at 8 a.m. We estimate that he will arrive in Ottawa at 3 p.m. Come out and cheer him on at the top of the Ottawa locks, on the west side of the canal, nearby the Chateau Laurier. The Weather Network is calling for 70-80% chance of thunderstorms between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. If there is lightening, it may delay his arrival. I will try to keep you updated regarding any delays.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
DAY 8 - A FINE WELCOME BY THE MANOTICK ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
Unfortunately, due to illness, Rob is unable to continue the paddle so Marc and he parted ways at the Rideau River Provincial Park this morning. Marc, Kim, and Sherryl have made the first part of the journey to the tip of Long Island. There, the Lanouettes, members of the Manotick Royal Canadian Legion, are hosting a lunch at their residence. Marc called me quickly from the Lanouettes to give me this update.
Later on today, they will continue further down Long Island where the Manotick Royal Canadian Legion will give a presentation. Marc will camp at the Long Island locks tonight.
Don't forget to come out and cheer Marc to the finish line tomorrow! The expected arrival is 3 p.m. at the top of the Ottawa locks by the Chateau Laurier.
Later on today, they will continue further down Long Island where the Manotick Royal Canadian Legion will give a presentation. Marc will camp at the Long Island locks tonight.
Don't forget to come out and cheer Marc to the finish line tomorrow! The expected arrival is 3 p.m. at the top of the Ottawa locks by the Chateau Laurier.
Friday, August 5, 2011
DAY 7 - CAMPING AT RIDEAU RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK
Just got off the phone with Marc. He and Rob are camping at Rideau River Provincial Park this evening. Marc has reported that the park staff have been welcoming and supporitve.
Early on in the day, two ladies by the names of Kim and Sherryl joined them shortly after Burritt's Rapids for this leg of the paddle and they intend on joining them tomorrow for the leg to Long Island.
This evening, Rob's sister Jean and brother-in-law Frank went to visit them. They had a wonderful meal courtesy of Jean and Frank and enjoyed a lovely evening.
Today, they collected another $20 for Soldier On.
Don't forget to come out to support Marc and Rob when they arrive home on Sunday, August, 8, 2011, at the top of the Ottawa Locks around 3 p.m.!
Early on in the day, two ladies by the names of Kim and Sherryl joined them shortly after Burritt's Rapids for this leg of the paddle and they intend on joining them tomorrow for the leg to Long Island.
This evening, Rob's sister Jean and brother-in-law Frank went to visit them. They had a wonderful meal courtesy of Jean and Frank and enjoyed a lovely evening.
Today, they collected another $20 for Soldier On.
Don't forget to come out to support Marc and Rob when they arrive home on Sunday, August, 8, 2011, at the top of the Ottawa Locks around 3 p.m.!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
COME AND CHEER MARC AND ROB TO THE FINISH LINE THIS SUNDAY
Marc and Rob are scheduled to arrive in Ottawa this Sunday, August 7, 2011. Come help us cheer them on as they finish the 200 km paddle from Kingston to Ottawa! Based on their average travel time, we figure that they will arrive around 1500 hrs (3:00 p.m.) at the top of the Ottawa locks, near the Chateau Laurier.
When I spoke to Marc earlier this afternoon, they had set up camp at Burritt's Rapids. They had a good paddle today and managed to collect an additional $100 from a National Parks employee at one of the locks they passed through. Incidentally, I forgot to mention that they collected another $22 over the last couple of days. I can't wait to see what the final tally will be!
The next few nights will be busy for them. Tonight Marc's kids are going to visit, tomorrow Rob's sister and brother-in-law will also visit, and Saturday night the Manotick Royal Canadian Legion has a number of festivities organized for their arrival!
When I spoke to Marc earlier this afternoon, they had set up camp at Burritt's Rapids. They had a good paddle today and managed to collect an additional $100 from a National Parks employee at one of the locks they passed through. Incidentally, I forgot to mention that they collected another $22 over the last couple of days. I can't wait to see what the final tally will be!
The next few nights will be busy for them. Tonight Marc's kids are going to visit, tomorrow Rob's sister and brother-in-law will also visit, and Saturday night the Manotick Royal Canadian Legion has a number of festivities organized for their arrival!
DAY 6 - CHANGE OF CAMP LOCATION
Rob's wife, Marianne, informed me this morning that Rob and Marc will be camping at the Burritts Rapids locks this evening.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
DAY 5 BRINGS ABOUT CHANGES TO CAMPING LOCATIONS FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW
When the phone rang for Marc's daily update, I was surprised as it was too early. It turns out that the estimated route length was off by several kilometres when compared to his GPS. In a few hours, they had already made it to Old Slys locks. After some discussion, they decided to forge ahead to Kilmarnock and they will camp there this evening. Given the proximity of Kilmarnock to Merrickville, tomorrow's camp location will change to Clowes or Nicholsons lock. Marc should let me know sometime tomorrow morning where they will be staying tomorrow night. So things are going as well as or better than planned; if it keeps up then they should arrive in Ottawa on Sunday afternoon.
My folks and I made the trek to Kilmarnock this evening for a visit. We enjoyed a lovely evening together and also enjoyed watching the ducks, geese, cottontail rabbits, and the sunset.
My folks and I made the trek to Kilmarnock this evening for a visit. We enjoyed a lovely evening together and also enjoyed watching the ducks, geese, cottontail rabbits, and the sunset.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
DAY 4 AND BACK ON SCHEDULE - THEY'VE MADE IT THROUGH THE BIG RIDEAU LAKE!
When Marc called with today's update, we kept it short and sweet as battery power is now at a premium. Based on the short conversation, I assume they are very happy they decided to forge ahead yesterday to make today's paddle shorter. They made it into Rideau Ferry Conservation Area at quite a decent time of 1330hrs but Marc said it was a tough paddle. They spent about 5 straight hours battling high waves on the Big Rideau lake. Up until now they had been averaging about 5 km/h but today, it was more like 3 km/h. They were going to take it easy this afternoon in preparation for tomorrow.
If things go as planned, I should see them both tomorrow night and I will give you another update upon my return.
If things go as planned, I should see them both tomorrow night and I will give you another update upon my return.
Monday, August 1, 2011
DAY 3 AND AHEAD OF SCHEDULE! NEW CAMPSITE IS AT THE NARROWS
Today Marc and Rob had great weather on the water once again. However it was a little more challenging as they had crosswinds most of the day that caused rather larges waves to crash across the bows and plenty of spray to land on their skirts. No one dunked though! When they hit their scheduled camp stop at the Newboro locks today, it was still early and they were feeling good; they decided to keep going and have ended the leg today at Narrows lock. They ended up paddling 25 km today and their paddle tomorrow will be shortened to 22km instead of the originally planned 29km. Marc was happy to inform me that they did not have to portage a single lock today!
Again, people's generosity shined through. They collected another $20 in donations. In addition to this, two couples fed them some 'real' food of ham, cheese, bread, and jelly roll cake; this was a welcome change from the military rations. They also enjoyed a cold beverage with another nice couple. All-in-all, it was a great day! I hope to have another update for you tomorrow but Marc's cell phone battery is slowly dying. Worst case scenario, I should have an update for you on Wednesday as I intend to go and visit them at Old Sly's lock and maybe charge his phone using the car battery power supply!
Again, people's generosity shined through. They collected another $20 in donations. In addition to this, two couples fed them some 'real' food of ham, cheese, bread, and jelly roll cake; this was a welcome change from the military rations. They also enjoyed a cold beverage with another nice couple. All-in-all, it was a great day! I hope to have another update for you tomorrow but Marc's cell phone battery is slowly dying. Worst case scenario, I should have an update for you on Wednesday as I intend to go and visit them at Old Sly's lock and maybe charge his phone using the car battery power supply!
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