Signing the Clean, Cold, Clear Challenge
Delayed entry--originally written May 24--
Hey there – Naomi here. Tonight will be our last night in Rossport, before we go exploring along the northern Canadian shoreline of the Lake. This past week, we spent a lot of time at the Slate Islands, using it as a safe place to anchor in between our travels to Marathon and Rossport. This place became a home-base of sorts and was unique in that we all got a chance to be behind the wheel either entering or leaving the islands. Coming into the Slates, the channel begins wide enough, but Mark stands on the bow pulpit, always checking the waters for reefs, rocks, and debris as the land approaches and the channel narrows. All hands are on deck both to take in the beauty, as well as communicate instructions between Mark at the bow and whoever is the currently behind the helm, back in the cockpit. Depths are shouted forth at regular intervals, and we slow the motor as the waters get visibly shallower, the bottom becoming apparent even to those of us who are less used to searching the depths. We see dead falls covering the floor of where we plan to anchor, which can present a problem if we snag a tree rather than the lake bottom. Feet and feet of anchor chain are let out, then we slowly go into reverse to set the anchor before bumping up our speed to make sure we are locked in tight, just like setting the hook on a fish – a soft initial pull followed by a decided tug. Tucked away in this "hurricane” proof spot, we take dips and kayak rides, feeling like kids in a fort, hidden away from any prying eyes, reveling in a world that seems only we have discovered.
Because of our public presentation Wednesday night, the plan was to get into Rossport Tuesday, but the weather reports that day were chock full of wind warnings and small craft advisories. Our wind generator was definitely going, but we could easily take out the kayaks within our small cove. If however, we ventured around a slight curve and past a small island less than 100 yards from our boat, we could start to feel the waves that were surely more dramatic even further towards the open water. There wasn’t much rain to speak of, so after Madi baked us some stellar cookies with Lamar and Kai’s help, and we did some team debriefs, Cedar, Kai, Madi, and Jesse went on a hike up a nearby hill. Everyone slept soundly that night; Jesse and Madi even left up the awnings as they slept outside under a nearly full moon.
Wednesday morning was an early start, and we were soon overrun by rain. As we entered the channel leading to Rossport, navigating became more critical to avoid many reefs and take the correct route through the several islands right offshore of the town. I enjoyed plotting our position on our paper charts – it’s probably the math teacher in me.
Our public presentation that night was at a local restaurant and we were so encouraged by the engagement of those present. We had quite an age range, and some of the kids enjoyed signing up for our “Clean, Cold, Clear” challenge on the big sail after we were finished. The information was incredibly well received, and we were struck again by the love people have for this Lake. One of the principals was present and told us of her own steps towards sustainability, as well as the challenges of living in a more rural area, such as a lack of recycling and public transportation options.
Thursday was back to back school presentations, so we piled into the car of a local man named Dave, who used to be the local superintendent and was an incredible help during out whole time in Rossport, and drove up to the schools. Our first presentation was to a group of about 70 students from Terrace Bay and their knowledge of invasive species and enthusiasm to bring a ‘No Idling’ campaign to their school was off the charts. one student was all ready, drill in hand, to hang up the ‘No Idling’ signs as we left, before he was informed he had to wait until some renovations were done this summer. He promised us that they would be hung though, and we know they will be. Those two Terrace Bay schools already have gardens and outdoor classrooms, and are well on their way to taking continued positive steps.
We have been so humbled by and thankful for the passionate students and teachers we have met along the way. After Terrace Bay, we climbed into the clown car again, there were so many of us! And headed to Schreiber, ON. This was a younger and smaller group of kids, but we enjoyed the more intimate setting and the chance to connect with the kids as the day went on and we did a beach clean-up and boat tours. Unfortunately, a train derailment a few years ago has left plastic nurdles all over the local beach, so the kids all joined together for a nurdle collecting competition. No one even cares who ‘won’ – it was all about the communal effort and several kids promised to collect ‘ at least 10’ every time they come to the beach this summer. They were brimming with ideas and energy, which is so exciting to see. My favorite quote of the day was a kiddo who told me, word for word, “Nature is just so inspiring.”
In conversation with teachers, so many have mentioned how important it is that our talk centers on the Lake because, for these coastal communities, the Lake is what binds them all together. I cannot recall how many times it has been said to me in these last weeks, “These kids just love the lake.” So much hope is bound up in those words, because love for something moves us to action in a way that fear never can. What a privilege this Lake is, and what a privilege to protect it.