Annette and I went off to Keji somewhere around the middle of July. I also went off with a couple boys from down home, Brent and Darren. Annette and I went first, opting for a mid-week trip on order to get better campsites and to save our weekends for visitors to Port Mouton. If you look at our Google Earth collection, you will see that we had quite a long paddle on the first day.

We dropped our gear at the site and then carried on to explore some other campsites, including this one, deep into a river system.

Site 21 – http://www.friendsofkeji.ns.ca/bc/e/kejimap/section_04.htm

The day was so incredibly still, that although we were beset by mosquitos this deep into the woods, we also had a spectacular view of the river.

We also took some time to enjoy our surroundings and become one with nature.

One thing about the rain is that it promotes the growth of all manner of flora.

The sun eventually did come out on the last day of both trips. One might argue that we need some bad weather to make us better appreciate the good weather! Note the nicely spaced trees allowing a breeze to blow all the mosquitos away.

If you are not portaging (see the portage routes for the trip with Brent and Darren), you are free to load your canoe with as much stuff as you can jam in.

Another thing about all that rain is that it encourages all of the fauna to hide under trees for shelter. When the sun finally comes out, the animals too come out to bask and tan.

Eventually, we returned home …

… only for me to return long long after for a fun and rain filled trip with the boys.

While I was waiting for Brent and Darren to show up at the Eel Weir landing, the rain started to fall again.

Getting the tarp set up in the trees was job number one.

Job number two was trying to get the fire started in the rain.

A random shot of the camp site shows the wheels that we used to portage the canoes between lakes. For all you purists, no I do not think that using wheels to roll your canoe is cheating.

While standing around the rain first thing in the morning, I put my new coffee pot to the test.

Nothing tastes so good as coffee made on a fire in the woods in the rain.

Of course, while it was all fine and dandy to sit around the fire making merry, the real thrill was to actually canoe around the lakes…

… and find deserted beaches near campsites for next summer’s adventure.

Site 32 – http://www.friendsofkeji.ns.ca/bc/e/kejimap/section_09.htm

All good things must come to an end.