A typical day continued

So to jump forward from where I left off from the second last entry that I made. I just briefly reread what I had written so some of this might be repeated.

WILD While Based at Esprit

Breakfast is eaten between 7 and 8:30 because at 8:30 we are on the bus and driving out the drive way. The bus ride to the put in is about 40 minutes. We board a school bus that makes alot of noise and the roads are bumpy. Depending on what the group is doing ( rafting or kayaking) and whether or not we are all together or in smaller groups will dictate how many buses we take and whether we are the only people on the bus.

If we have clients on the bus, the guides for the day tell them all about the area and the history of the county. It is very informativve. It takes about 10 minutes. As students we've heard it several times but each guide does it differently and adds there own personal touch and joke. The bus makes a stop at Auberge Albert (I think that's the name, I may have forgotten already.) This is a hotel where they pick up people who've commuted from Ottawa for the day. At the end of the day this is also the spot where they sometimes stop to watch the movie and photos that are taken from the day.

From this spot until they reach the river the guides do the bus paddle talk. This talk includes tonnes of info about the day - what to expect, what do if you fall out and the gear that you will be using. As participants in the program we have had an opportunity to do a little practice ourselves. We were given two topics that we had to chat about from teh front of the bus while we were travelling to the put in. One of the topics we knew about and choose ourselves and the other was given by a fellow participants. These topics included anything from why kids pick their noses to animals to the planets. It was great challenge for some people and easier for others. Everyone did really well.

Once we get to the put in it is a mad scramble to get everything unloaded and into the water. As students we are being trained on how to do this quickly and efficiently. The rafts and kaykas are placed on the roof ( some of the buses have racks) and we have to climb on top ( some of the buses have ladders) and take them all off. There is a roller bar that you can slide stuff up and down. Let's just say that at first I was afraid to be on top of the roof but now it is part of life and I also am getting much stronger so things are easier.

All of our personal gear is transported in mesh bags. Theoretically the gear (shorts, tops, lifejacket, helmets, throwbag with 70 ft. of rope and wet suit) is supposed to air out and dry ( but that rarely happens.) We try to find a quiet corner, hopefully behind a tree and change into our gear. I have a sarrong that I change behind but let's just say that people have lost their pride and I've seen alot of bare bums. If it is a particularly cool morning you would hear alot of groans and complaining about having to put on wet cold gear. It takes awhile for your body to warm it up.

Esprit has some land that is used for the lunch spot. It was donated by one of the local farmers. We spent one weekend here camping and learning swift water rescue techniques. This is at the end of the Middle channel of the Ottawa River. [more to come later... it's lunch time now!]