Old Women Bay, ONT to Warp Bay, ONT: Daily miles 19.7, Total miles 776.5
The weather did us no favors today and certainly hasn’t improved much. We hit the water at 8AM, reluctant to leave the great campsite into a stern headwind. The waves had slackened compared to yesterday but the wind was every bit as tough. It took 4 hours to paddle the eight miles around Cap Chaillon and into the sand beach at Red River. The morning was exhausting. We sat on a very cool piece of granite that had a large, smooth, rounded seat worn into it. I took a walk to explore while Hannah rested after lunch. I poked around the big sandstone cliff that sits at the mouth of the river and gives it its name. On the beach I found a fishing pole but decided to leave it. The last thing I need a distraction. After several hours we got to the point where we either needed to hit the lake or set up the tent. Neither of us wanted to face the wind again but we both knew any miles we paddled made fewer miles between home and us. It was a tough decision that neither of wanted to make. It led to some bickering and we paddled out in a huff of angry words and hurt feelings. Over the next eleven miles we talked it over. While I don’t really like the whole “talking about my feelings” thing, it does seem to fix these situations. It was a nice distracter from the wind and waves, both of which died down as we cruised into Warp Bay. It was a hard day both mentally and physically. We are so close to getting back to the States but we seem to be stuck. The 50+ days has made both of us irritable and the bad weather just exacerbates the troubles. The arguments seem to be more frequent and more severe but also pettier and more easily remedied. The last few miles of the day, past places with names like Gargantua and The Devil’s Chair, really reminded me how lucky I am to be out here with Hannah. Yes, the weather sucks. Yes, I am wet and tired all of the time. And yes, I am still enjoying this because every night I can end whatever mess of a day next to someone I can understand and appreciate and I know feels the same way.
