OFF THE BEATEN PATH Sayward Forest Canoe Route

KEALY DONALDSON

I had always wanted to do it. I knew one day I

would take the plunge and tackle the 48km paddle and portage trek known as the Sayward Forest Canoe Route, attached to the Lower Campbell Lake on Central Vancouver Island. I asked a few friends to join me; they were up for the task and agreed on my July 1 departure date to paddle this gorgeous section of Vancouver Island. I had set up base camp at Long Point, a family favourite for past 20 years, and was chomping at the bit to get going. It was the perfect jumping off point and I know Lower Campbell Lake, from a water perspective, intimately, like the back of my hand.

As it turns out, everyone bailed and I was left to go it alone – solo – my first backcountry adventure in some time, and I was truly excited to go! July 1 arrived, and somehow I was running behind. I had planned to be on the lake for 8 am sharp but it was noon when my kayak hit the water. No matter – just get going, I told myself. It was a beautiful, hot summer day and I was stoked to be on the water. As I paddled out of Long Point, an eagle feather, floating on the top of the water, crossed my path; I grabbed it for good luck.

Within an hour I arrived at Gosling Bay and with some help from a local camper got my portage wheels on. I had picked them up the day before from Comox Valley Kayaks, who were extremely helpful is assisting with my selection. I wasn’t sure what it was going to take to get through the loop, time wise, so I had loaded supplies for three days just in case. Anyone who likes the backcountry or isolated paddling knows that weight adds up quickly. Once sorted out, I trudged up the hill from Gosling Bay with my loaded kayak on wheels; half way up I thought, if all the portage routes were going to be like this, I made the wrong choice going it alone. The portion was slightly over 1 km straight uphill. As my friend George would say, oh joie (joy)!

Of course my stubbornness helped get me up and into the next section in Gosling Lake, then into Higgins and Lawier. These little puddles were fun. Peppered with blooming lily pads and lush lake shorelines, it was truly a beautiful section to experience. Next up was the mighty Mohun; I love this lake with its vastness and access points. I had a trio of Quebequois men on my tail and when they finally caught up to me at the Mohun Lake launch, they challenged me to a race up the lake. “Game on, boys” I told them, “if you win, I’ll stick around and cook you dinner tonight at your camp. If I win, you have to send me flowers when you come back to town.” Continued on next page

Nathan

Age 8, born prematurely Loves dancing, singing, and making people laugh

After complications in her pregnancy, expectant mom Alyna was immediately sent to Victoria from her home in Courtenay to give birth nine weeks before her due date. And while their baby Nathan stayed in the hospital, Alyna and her husband Nick needed a place to stay. Thankfully, Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island’s home away from home, Jeneece Place, was there. The Foundation’s new home away from home, Qʷalayu House, is now open for families who need to travel to Campbell River for pediatric and maternal health care.

Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island has invested in the health of Island kids for 95 years. We touch the lives of more than 16,000 Island kids and youth each year through our homes away from home in Victoria (Jeneece Place) and Campbell River (Qʷalayu House); our Bear Essentials program, which provides direct funding to families who need financial support to meet the immediate care needs of their child; and by investing in essential community-based services, interventions, therapies, and resources that optimize the health of our children and youth.