Paddlers of all ages embarked on the fifth annual canoe trek on Arm Lake July 30.
The 20 participants enjoyed a leisurely paddle, taking in the sights and sounds of the local lake.
Canoes and kayaks, 13 boats in all, were launched from the Arm Lake Conservation Area, a wildlife refuge created by Don Wilkins when he donated about 170 acres he owns in the Arm River Valley to Ducks Unlimited. He has another 320 acres of nearby pasture that he’d like people to use for horseback riding.
There are signs on the east side of Highway 11 about midway between Girvin and Craik signaling the way to the conservation area, which is about 3 kilometres down the gravel road that turns into a prairie trail and dead ends at the launching point.
Wilkins has put much thought and effort into making it accessible to people. He hauled in some sand and gravel to fill low spots on the trail so vehicles can easily make it to the canoe launch.
After launching the boats, paddlers followed the meandering, leisurely course set by the Arm River until it emptied into Arm Lake.
Wildlife abounded. High atop the east bank a stag watched the paddlers’ progress. Above pelicans flew overhead while on the west bank red angus cattle took a break from grazing to watch the group glide by on the water. Waterfowl were everywhere. Off in the distance the low hum of tires on Highway 11 broke the silence at times, reminding everyone that not far away, the pace of life is much faster.
On the lake, the diverse group of local paddlers, the youngest aged 12, enjoyed the moment, chatting, laughing and making connections they may otherwise not have had the time or the moment to make.
All the while some members of the party kept watch for Peter Farden’s murmogs, an aquatic creature that apparently only he has seen. Near McCaw’s cabin, by the bird watching area where the group stopped for lunch before paddling back, someone asked what a floating mass of green out on the lake could be. Farden was quick to verify that it was, in fact, a school of murmogs. No one paddled out to confirm the sighting.
That could have spoiled the magic.
It was a beautiful prairie lake, a perfect summer day and the kind of place in time where a mythical creature could thrive.