Prayer of the Woods

I am the heat of your hearth on the cold winter nights,

the friendly shade screening you from the summer sun,

and my fruits are refreshing draughts quenching your thirst as you journey on.

I am the beam that holds your house, 

the board of your table, the bed on which you lie, 

and the timber that builds your boat.

I am the handle of your hoe, 

the door of your homestead, the wood of your cradle, 

and the shell of your coffin.

I am the bread of kindness and the flower of beauty.

 'Ye who pass by, listen to my prayer: Harm me not.

(This prayer has been used in Portuguese forest preservations for more than 1,000 years. Today it can be found posted at trail heads across the United States.  Before you enter the woods. take a moment and remember this ancient prayer. Appreciate the beauty and goodness nature offers us and do not harm its existence).

The Fourth Day . . .

The Great Circumnavigation Adventure!

With each sunrise we start anew!

Day four finds us rising to a beautiful sunrise and fog floating across the water, blocking even the Lighthouse from our view. We discuss the possibility of heading out using the emergency strobe lights I brought along for both of us - "just in case".

Just as we are discussing Plan B, the sun burns the fog off the lake and we are able to shove off.

With a stiff wind out of the west, southwest we decide to play! Heading out into the big water we are able to ride the waves all the way to the south shore of Espanore Island.

But kayaker BEWARE! Very few of Drummond's satellite islands are State owned. The majority - including Espanore - are privately owned. Meaning not accessible. Period.

And let's face it - would you want someone camping out in your front yard? I think not! So please, do be mindful of the rights of private property owners when exploring not only the waterways of Drummond Island, but Drummond itself.
 

We head back out into the big water and ride the waves once more to Gravel Island on the outskirts of Huron Bay. Ducking into a tiny bay we beach our kayaks on State owned land.

 
According to our original plan, this was to be the location for Camp #5. A full two days ahead of schedule due to amazing weather and winds we discover we can see our launch site off in the distance from here!
 

 
We are now faced with the toughest decision of our journey. Set-up camp or ride the winds home?
 

We opt for an extended break to enjoy the sun, scenery and serenity of this inlet just west of Warners Cove.

 
Lunch, exploring and making sure we continue to *Leave No Trace* fill our time on this beautiful, rocky shoreline.
 
With the wind and waves still calling we shove off and paddle out into the big water south of Traverse Point. If we go off shore far enough we know we can ride the surf all the way home.
 

Back at square one it is difficult to comprehend that we did it. That we circumnavigated the entire island. That we did it two full days ahead of schedule BUT never felt rushed. Never felt as though we were in a competition trying to prove our mettle.

 
The statistics:
Total time on the water paddling: 23 hours 35 minutes 03 seconds
Total time spent on voyage: 79 hours (3.5 days)
Total distance covered: 51 miles
Total time spent grinning ear-to-ear: On-going!
 

There is no rushing when paddling.

When you paddle you go at the pace of the water and that pace ties you into a flow that is older than life itself on this planet.

Acceptance of that pace, even for a day, changes us, reminds us of other rhythms beyond the sound of our own heartbeats.

- Candis L. Collick