Bob's Small Town Hospitality

We made a lunch stop yesterday in the small hamlet of Duvernay, Alberta. Its on Hwy 36 on the way to Fort McMurray.  We originally had planned for a pancake lunch followed by a nap, but further inspection of the town revealed a pizza parlour - who can resist - and the extended family of Bob Bachelets.

In a community of roughly 70, Bob is the elder statesman and unofficial mayor at the age of 86.
He owns and operates River View Ranch, a cattle farm. It is the same land his father farmed since he bought it in 1909. Bob was born two years before the current farm house, and has lived and worked there all his life. He is healthy and active with no retirement plan. "What else would I do?" he shrugged when the subject came up.

Bob, known affectionately as Uncle Bob in the community, has 6 kids, 23 grandchildren, and soon to be 10 great grandchildren. By his own admission, he "loves kids". Outside of his blood relations, he is a father or uncle figure to many in the community. He is interested in seeing children succeed and is more than willing to help out those in need, "whether its here in Alberta or in Ontario".

We met Bob and some of his family as they were installing a new roof cover over a workshed. During the "admiration of a job well done" phase of the day, the small band of family and friends were curious to know who the out-of-towners were and if we had anything to do with the big canoe tied up by the riverside.
Well before you know it - we had new best friends.

Marissa and Hollye got a personal tour of Bob's ranch, as well as a neighbour's fresh batch of kittens. There was temptation to take a couple of Trip Kitties, but we thought they might not take well to the canoe.

We discussed local wildlife, farm life, village life, river life, Alberta life, tar sands, even how to turn an old school bus roof into a river boat, and of course the logistics and cause behind a certain 5000km canoe trip. Great people sharing a slice of their lives all in the name of small town hospitality.

When it finally came time to leave, we were given a few parting gifts including -but not limited to - Bob's personalised pen (one each so we don't fight), fishing tackle, a hand crank USB charger, directions to a cabin to stay in (couldn't find it), Bob's "best Kobasa in Canada" from his own beef (one each so we don't fight over it), the promise of Christmas cards from Bob himself, and an unprecedented donation to our OE cause.

To Bob and his family, we thank you for the great afternoon and the small town Alberta hospitality. You are a testament to hard work and generosity. It was unexpected and exactly what we needed.

If you pass through Duvernay, make sure to stop and ask for Bob. You won't come away empty handed.

Bob and family with the PACT crew

Bob and family with the PACT crew

Rocky Mountain House to Edmonton

Having set out on Thursday of a long weekend, we passed many groups of people along our route doing exactly what we were doing: enjoying the river. Many people were out camping along the banks, there were families fishing, swimming and walking dogs. One regional activity that we saw that was somewhat foreign to us Ontarians, was panning for gold.

As predicted, the North Saskatchewan River, the original trans-Canada highway, still plays an important role in people's lives. Recreation is a big one nowadays. Industry has utilized the river as well, businesses and farms pumping the water out, and water treatment and sanitation pump the water back in.

From Rocky Mountain House to Edmonton the water moves fast due to a strong current originating in the mountains. Despite the strong current, the rapids are manageable and friendly. The river winds through clay cliffs that are filled with cliff swallows darting in and out of their nest holes. Bird life is quite abundant on the river with bald eagles, golden eagles and pelicans being the standouts.

Mornings in the boat have been typically taken up with CBC radio style Q & A's on diverse topics such as family history and theoretical physics. Afternoons are filled with games designed to distract the paddler from the passage time: Name that Tune, Would You Rather, and 20 Questions. Only five days into the trip there is still a lot to discuss.

The crew is happy and healthy and waving a friendly "Hello Bonjour!" to everyone we pass. We are spending the night in Fort Saskatchewan, and we look forward to the next leg of our journey and the first resupply in Saskatoon!





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departure!

We depart today from Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site to paddle 5000km through Canada, exploring its natural and cultural history and will dock at the Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site.

We'd like to thank our families, friends, and sponsors who helped get us to this point today. We are thrilled that so many people stand behind us.

Paddle On!​

The PACT crew (from left to right) Peter, James, Hollye, Marc, Marissa and Scott

The PACT crew (from left to right) Peter, James, Hollye, Marc, Marissa and Scott

Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site

There is something special going on here at Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, let me tell you why. 

he site boasts the location of four fur trader forts, a great interpretive centre (complete with a mock Hudson's Bay post, an antique cedar strip canot du nord, and a multitude of films), two walking trails encompassing the original forts, tipis, trapper tents, a york boat, a HBC play fort (1/3 the size of the original), and a heard of bison. You can learn how to make bannock, stay overnight in your choice of historic tent, and paddle the river that facilitated all this history. The park opens at 10 and its a wise move to get there when it opens and devote the whole day exploring the history.

In brief, the history of the site traces the story of the four fur trader forts that once occupied the area. The first was founded by the North West Company in 1799. The Hudson's Bay Company, not far behind opened a rival trading fort half a kilometer upstream from the NWC post. After the merger of the two companies in 1821, a third fort replaced the original two.  In 1868 a fourth, much larger fort was built to accommodate the anticipated trade of bison hide. The last fort was closed in 1875, due to a combination of the arrival of the train, steamboats, and the establishing of orderly towns by the Northwest Mounted Police.

The legendary cartographer David Thompson is a prominent figure here at RMH. It is here that he launched his westward explorations, culminating in no less than establishing Kootaney House, finding two routes through the Rocky Mountains, charting the entire Columbia River, and mapping 1.3 million square miles of Canada and the north western United States. 

This is a real history treat for anyone interested in Canada's past.

ACT is launching from this site as a nod to Canadian history. Rocky Mountain House was for a very long time, the most westerly fort on the trade route. The real Canadian wild west. It was also the end of the river. Explorers were stumped about how to pass through the Rocky Mountains.  Rocky Mountain House was the end of the line, the most remote post in a sting of remote forts and trading posts across the vast country. We start here and we end at Lachine, the home of the North West Company. From National Historic Site to National Historic Site, we will effectively paddle the way home for that North West Company trader stationed at RMH in 1800. 

We are grateful to the staff at the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site for their help in launching our voyage on the right historical note. We believe that it sets the tone for things to come.

-PACT

 

 

 

 

resupply roadtrip

Well I’ll tell ya, Canada is one big mama of a country.

Having just wrapped up our Resupply Roadtrip, or DACT (Drive Across Canada Tour) we are rejuvenating and repacking at the Alberta Pioneer Ranch Camp. The drive across Canada allowed us to take in some local sights and attractions not to be encountered on our return water journey.

For example, people have surely noticed how many large novelty items there are on the sides of roads and in every small town. Large Novelty Items (LNI) must have a proven record attracting tourists and motorists to stop and spend as it seems everyone is prescribing to the trend. Having only vauge awareness of their existence before, LNI's quickly became manadtory stops. Some of our favourites include: the giant Muskoka chair in Thessalon Ontario; the giant spider made from a Volkswagon Beetle in Kenora, the giant Happy Rock in Gladstone Sask. (points for the pun and top hat); the giant pot holes in the road up to Cumberland House; and the original large highway object, the giant goose at Wawa marking the completion of the Superior section of the trans-Canada highway in 1960. Each time a large item loomed over the horizon a picture was called for and another line added to and then ticked off the bucket list. No more will we pine to see the giant Bumblebee of Tisdale, Saskatchewan. Check.

Our drive also taught us about the awesome positive power of people. From the start, generous humans have helped us along the way. Well, wouldn’t you know it we encountered many along the way in our journey west. In Quetico, we met a park ranger with valuable route info.  In Kenora we met a couple who run the Northern Harbour Marina with a home recipe for Walleye – to be sampled upon return. In Winnipeg we were welcomed by a house of likeminded travellers who shared with us an original song for inspiration.  In Cumberland House we were given a warm welcome, gifts for the journey and the promise of a grand reception on our passing.

But here at Alberta Pioneer Ranch Camp we are treated as guests of the highest order. We are eternally grateful for the welcome and generous accommodation as we sort out our gear, rest up from all-night drives, and take some time to explore the mountains and Historic Rocky Mountain House.

With DACT in the books, we anxiously await its sequel….PACT. HELLLO!

PACT plus Stompin' Tom plus Brownstone Cafe

Greetings Folks. ​

Hope everyone has kept their plan to come on down to the Brownstone Cafe on historic Mississauga ​Street in historic downtown Orillia. Local artists will be playing and interpreting the songs of Canada's most pro-Canada songwriter.

Its a fundraiser for Outdoor Education too! There will be prizes and fun and a whole lot of Good People. We will be leaving the next day for Alberta so come on by and we'll shake hands one last time.​

stompintom night at the brownstone canadian flag.jpg

thanks friend

Wiser folks than any of us have long said, ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.’ It’s a widely accepted fact of life. Everyone knows it, and more often than not we let it discourage us from putting an idea into action.

Luckily for us, we know you! We love you…FINE, I’ll SAY IT! We’re IN LOVE with you.

Your kindness has been inspiring. Pat yourself on the back because you made this whole thing happen. Your excitement gets us excited and your love will keep us smiling through the not-so-smiley moments.

Last Friday’s going away party in Toronto was proof. We were overwhelmed with 6 dangerous cases of the warm and fuzzies. So many good people from all over the place coming together with such good spirits is rare and is something to be remembered. The whole party just felt right in every way. We far exceeded our fundraising goals, but more importantly, we set world records for FUN-raising. To all those who attended, high fives to you and your families!

To those who couldn’t make it, we still love you more than you know. This trip is a team sport that has involved way more crew members than just the six of us. You are all part of the journey and we will do our best to use this site to help you enjoy it and get a taste of what Canada is really all about.

Now is a time filled with unfamiliar excitement and unfamiliar nervousness. That being said, if life is truly about who you know, we know we are going to be just fine.

Thank you. 

PACT

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farewell fundraisers

PACT has a small wish:
We'd like to see your face, shake hands and cheers to adventure before we depart for Alberta.​

To accomplish this feat we have arranged to host two (2) separate gatherings in reputable establishments to celebrate outdoor education, and each others company. The money raised at these events will be heading to our OEE partners.

The first will be held on April 26th at the Antler Room on historic Front Street ​in downtown Toronto. There will be live music, silent auction and a giant prize raffle including but not limited to a Cineplex tickets, detailed Algonquin Park maps (this ain't your ministry map), an original painting by Peterborough native and QML alumni Leah Paterson. We are expecting record numbers of Good People in attendance. There are rumours of cab fare vouchers.... All this for the low price of $10.

The second will be held on May 4th at the Brownstone Cafe on historic Mississauga Street in downtown Orillia. Considering the patriotic nature of a cross Canada canoe trip, we thought it would be appropriate to hold a Stompin' Tom Tribute night! ​Local artists from Orillia will be playing the songs of the beloved Canadian folk hero. If that weren't enough there will again be a giant prize raffle.

We will be departing the very next morning from Orillia, bound for Alberta. Come out and ensure that we leave.​

Reiterating from the top, we would love to see your face, shake your hand, and cheers to adventure.​

- the Crew of PACT

the adventure of planning an adventure

I was on a traffic-filled drive home from London when Peter’s lady friend Laura (shout out Laura!) first told me about Peter and Scott's dream for this trip. It took me about three red lights to say ‘WELL GIDDY UP!’ James didn’t take a second longer, and neither did Marissa or Hollye.

We all love adventure. We all love paddling. We all love Canada. A Paddle Across Canada Tour seemed like a good enough fit.

Then the questions began to arise. What is our real mission here? Where does one get a voyageur canoe? Oh mama, this is going to cost a lot of money! How do we keep the costs down? What are we going to eat? How are we going to get what we eat along our route? Speaking of routes, what is ours? What is twitter? I’m tired. Where are we going to sleep when we’re tired?

This pile of questions marked the first time any of us had ever stared directly into the eye of a 13 million item to-do list. We had no idea where to start. We just figured that if we could find a way to get closer to making this thing happen everyday we would be alright.

Days went by, websites were set up and taken down, e-mails were drafted and partnerships were formed. Before we knew it, PACT became real.

I think I speak for all of us when I say that I had no idea what I was getting myself into…..and we haven’t even pushed off yet! That being said, putting this project together has been an amazing educational experience. We’ve all learned a thing or eight about how the world works, and the tough times only make the happy ones happier.

Putting any journey together is a journey on its own. I’m happy to say that I’ve enjoyed the planning of this journey and I can't wait to see what comes next.

-Marc

twice the orillia packet and times

PACT is getting some press in Orillia!

Thanks to the Orillia Packet and Times for giving us some ink, and to reporters Ross McIntyre and Roberta Bell for arranging the ink into a story worth reading.​

Read Ross' Article Here:
http://www.orilliapacket.com/2013/04/02/camps-to-benefit-from-cross-canada-journey ​

Read Roberta's Article Here:​
http://www.orilliapacket.com/2013/04/07/paddling-across-canada

faces for radio

For your listening pleasure, PACT has some upcoming radio appearances!

Scott Graham and Peter Vooys were interviewed by Belleville station Mix 97.1fm recently. Their conversation with the host of "Weekend Magazine" Sean Kelly will air the Saturday March 30th at 10am, and re-broadcast on Sunday, March 31st at 11:30am. Tune in to hear Scott reveal a secret from his Belleville past! Just where did he go to elementary school?

The Fan 590am of Toronto will be doing a piece on PACT on April 6th. Finally they will take a break from covering niche market sports like hockey, baseball, and basketball and shed some light on the mainstream sport of marathon canoeing. Charming Marc Soberano will be heading this one up. You won't want to miss it.

e'd like to thank the producers and hosts of the Mix97.1fm in Belleville and the Fan590am in Toronto for giving us some airtime to tell our story.

basketball!

Being sports fans, we here in the PACT office are pretty excited about another edition (that would be the 75th for those of you keeping track) of March Madness. To celebrate, PACT is running a March Madness Bracket!

Themed logo. See what we did here?

Themed logo. See what we did here?

Here's how it works.​

- sign up with our facebook bracket group so we ​can engage each other as sports fans might. https://www.facebook.com/events/280358638760743

- Minimum of $10 per bracket (MAX 5 BRACKETS PER PERSON)
- Total pot will be split 50/50 between the winner and PACT (of which we will split between our partner charities and our food expenses)
- We are expecting the winner to take home over $1000!!!
- We will not be accepting team entries past March 18th
- If you're going to gamble, might as well lose for a good cause!

To fill in your bracket click on this link and start picking winners. (The NCAA hasn't selected the tournament's teams yet so you won't be able to fill it in until they do so)

http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1/register/joinprivategroup_assign_team?GID=5391&P=pact

Payment

- E-mail money transfer to 2013pact@gmail.com - They will ask you to fill out a security question and answer it. You can ask whatever question you'd like, just be sure to answer it with '2013Pact'. Feel free to get creative with your questions.

- We will also accept cash

Thanks folks. Can't wait for the madness to begin!

the origin story

Paddle Across Canada Tour began as the romantic notion of those who are told too many tales about explorers. Our heads filled with the notions of daring exploits, near misses, heroic distances from the narratives passed down through the ages. We might put the book down to go to work, but our minds travel through the wilderness during the day.

We are a passionate bunch of people who love the idea of jumping in the lake before breakfast, consider sweaty cheese a delicacy, enjoy the push and pull of the trail, and retelling tales around a campfire. We relish in the possibility of waking up to do it all over again.

Lo and behold, when you voice your dreams you might meet people who share them. Through long discussions, a plan was formed that we could not only realize our collective dream, but that we might do some good for the outdoor industry we all work and love.

We think we are doing something cool, and thought others might think so as well. Here on our blog, we will post stories, photos, videos of our tour across Canada.
Experience Canada as we see it.

paddle on,
PACT