July 4, 09 and Gib and I met our new team mates and had a look at the canoe we are to paddle. It is a "Pacific Dancer", a brand new design from Clipper and the second canoe of its kind out of the mold. It is 36'long and has seats for 17 paddlers. We took it for a short spin and found quickly that it has its own personality. The bottom is flat with a good bit of rocker which makes turnong very easy but tracking a challenge. Let your mind wander and the canoe is doing a quick turn where you didn't want it to turn.

The official opening and kick off was done by the Lt. Gov. of BC, followed by a great feeast and a lot of druming.

July 5 and we atre on the water at 0630 and off to Fintry, our first stop on the journey. Weather clear and hot and the group of 22 very big canoes made quite a sight. We reached Fintry in good time, transferred trailers and vehicles and more drumming and feasting.

July 6. We are on ythe water again at 0630 but are called back as a storm is underway and lightening is flashing on the ridge behind us. We travel to Kelowna, set up camp and paddle in and around the area. Tents are set up on the beach and about noon, a sudden gust of wind moved the canoes on the beach and sent tents frlying into the treesw. \it was over as soon as it started. Drumming and feasting followed a traditional welcome by the local chiefs and Mayor of Kelowna.

2009 Pulling Together Canoe Journey

This is just a quick update to let you know that the Pulling Together journey gets underway the afternoon of Friday, July 3 with Gib and I meeting our new team mates and their new Haida canoe (Gib wanted to know if he could bring along his Hide-a-Bed). You can find the details and schedule of stops on the web site www.pullingtogether.ca. The Lt. Gov. of BC will be on hand Saturday July 4 to help kick off the event and to add his blessings to the launch of a couple of new big canoes. I will be posting journal entries as well as pictures on a sporadic basis as time allows. Follow us on www.canadianvoyageur.com as we paddle with 22 teams and up to 300 paddlers/pullers over the next week.

Norm