Rainbows and Butterflies - TURTLE LAKE - Day Thirty Four

Our journey onwards from Atikokan began with a 1.2km portage through the town. We walked down the middle of Main Street at 7:00 am sharp while the rest of Atikokan was still asleep (there was only one other soul out on the road). The edge of town at Pinkerton's landing marked the start of the Maukinak trail which will take us through the next two weeks to Dryden.

Within minutes of pushing off, civilization disappeared and we were once again making our way down the winding Atikokan River (this time with coffee and muffins in hand instead of paddles as we floated around the bends.)

The animals made for good company on our first day back on the water. Turtles were enjoying the weather just like us, and the little exposed rocks in the water made the perfect location for sunning themselves mid afternoon. Blue herons took to the skies, gliding high above our canoe. Beautiful orange butterflies took a liking to our packs. A beaver out for a morning dip swam a few small circles by the shore before diving down with a crack of his tail upon the water.

We could hardly tell when we were going upstream and when downstream thanks to the lovely return of the strong West wind. On the bright side, the water levels have permitted us to turn portages into walking upstream. These small streams also make for wonderful campsites where you can eat dinner with your toes in the current.

The lakes are full of stumps with root systems covering the bottom of the lake near shore. It feels like we are paddling between trees of a forest that stood long ago.

Arriving at a gorgeous beach on Turtle Lake after crossing through whitecaps we figured an afternoon at the beach was in the books. We have swung in the hammock, listening to waves lapping into shore as we fell asleep. We blew up a floaty raft and drifted into our site rising up on the swells. I destroyed Erik in cards sitting on a towel on the beach holding my winning hands down as the wind tried to send cards to the lake. We stretched our backs with some downward dogs and yoga on the sand. We ended the day cooking up some popcorn with a caramel and chocolate drizzle.

As a downpour appeared out of nowhere, we raced to clean up the site while the sky behind us turned yellow. Then, over the lake the most glorious two rainbows appeared. The entire arc was visible and radiated almost as though it could be touched. If there had been pots of gold at the end we would have been able to grab some, as the bands of colour crossed in front of the trees on the shore at both ends. The reflection shimmered on the water as we stood transfixed by this marvel.