I had read about a place called the Swan Lake Canoe Route in the Kenai National Wildlife. I did not know if we would have time or if the weather would cooperate for us to canoe some of the Swan Lake Canoe Route. This area is a big, flat region on the west side of the peninsula which is pockmarked by innumerable lakes connected by waterway or hiking trails(portages). This is area is big and remote. We decided to do it, even if it was raining.
First, we had to pick up the canoe at the rental place. They let us use a trailer to pull the canoe. Our first experience towing something with the Jeep. Scott said the jeep was proud to be doing the pulling for once. Then we had to drive 18 miles to the West Entrance of the Swan Lake Canoe Route(unfortunately, it was a gravel road that looked like it was in a war zone, and the trailer was a rattletrap, so it took us almost a hour to get there). And did I mention it was lightly raining? 🙂
We felt we had accomplished a lot by the time we got our canoe down to the first lake! 🙂 If we could actually get in the canoe and get on the lake without tipping it, then we really would be feeling great.
I was so very happy when we got out on the lake! We paddled around Lake 1. I felt like we were alone in the world… we didn’t see a single soul once we left the road. The boys fished, Kat hung out and I tried to keep them far enough away from the shore. Kane caught a couple tiny ones.
Then we started looking for the portage for Canoe Lake 2. By this time, rain had picked up and I felt like I was really roughing it.
I was elated after we portaged to Canoe Lake 2 in the rain. Kids were happy and excited too. Well, that came to a quick end, when I tipped the canoe while climbing over kids to get in. Luckily, water was only thigh deep, so I was only wet up to my belly button, and kids feet and lower legs only got wet. Scott got to enjoy the scene from the bank. He only wished he would have had the camera running. Kat was traumatized for a bit and became the “don’t move in the canoe” police. She definitely got a better understanding of what tipping the canoe meant, luckily in shallow water.
We paddled around Lake 2 and fished a short bit, then we were ready to head home.
On the way back, we decided to try the canal rather than the portage, even though Max (the guy who rented us the canoe) had said it was unusable due to lilly pad overgrowth. The kids were laying bets on whether we got stuck or had to turn around. Well, Max was wrong, the lilly pads weren’t a problem, the partial beaver dam was! Luckily since I was already wet, I got out, moved a few branches, and drug the canoe through. We made it! The only casualty was our fishing line which got snagged and pulled out about 100 yards before we realized it.
It was a great adventure for us all. It was so quiet and peaceful. Just a light rain, the smell of nature and a great sense of accomplishment for us all. I would love to come back here someday, go further and camp out overnight.
