Famous Boats - HMS Beagle. A voyage around the world from 1831-1836 with the naturalist Charles Darwin, including extensive stops in South America and famously the Galápagos Islands. Finches and Tortoises and eventually the Theory of Natural Selection. A theory published in 1859 (with some help from Alfred Russel Wallace). What a journey that must have been, both physically and intellectually.
Welcome to Glen Isle, home to HMS Beagle cache! Across the river from Cram Road boat launch and only slightly downstream. Hopefully two good reasons for inviting you to find this cache. At the time this cache was created there was a 'ship wreck' pretty firmly established here. Take your best guess at what kind of boat this was and how long it has been here? Also this is a favourite hunting spot for a heron, approach quietly and you may get lucky here. You will need to leave boat for a few steps unless water is high - I managed to use a log to get to shore dry footed in October. A bit muddy and some small holes around... step carefully. The container itself is a Centifruge Tube with a rite in rain paper log book (also in plastic baggie), zip tied (hopefully) pretty securely. You will need to bring your own writing device and tweezers.
Hope these caches act as an invitation to come paddle here. Fall colours are lovely here but any day you can be on the water with wind and sun is a good day! This is a beautiful stretch of water that I have never seen a power boat on as there is very little access (if at all) for them. 15 paddle strokes takes you into nature and beautiful wild life habitats. As I was placing these caches I saw at least six Blue Herons, osprey, turtles, water fowl of so many types, frogs, fish and so much more. Love pictures in the logs if you can.
This is part of a water series I'm putting out and I'm using famous boats as my theme as I paddle my canoe on these beautiful rivers and lakes. It won't be as impressive a series as the Dar-ing series of dadndaughter fame. Check those ones out if you love paddling around here. But maybe we can call it a tribute to that fun series that I'm still trying to finish. They are awesome! Hoping that these ones will add to some more fun paddles in the area. Starting with a three here to go with the Cram Road Canoe Launch (GCAY3MJ) which is probably the best starting point for this one.
Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists information on "Lanark County canoe and kayak journeys" is a good starting point for resources and information if you are unfamiliar with this area. That information leads off with 'follow up to date paddling safety practices, conditions are subject to change, and many routes should be avoided during spring floods'. All of which is good advice. While keeping that advice in mind I've paddled this section of the river a half dozen times each year (in summer and fall) with family and friends and never been worried, but I always respect the water. Water levels and speed of currents can change a lot in different seasons so please be safe.