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Black Hole and Hole in the Wall Paddle - July 9, 2016

By Ron Prickett, Sault Naturalist

Yes, it was Holey Saturday for the Soo Nats over the weekend.  Yes, we made the pilgrimage to the sacred places along the north channel of the St. Marys River.  A stout group of six paddlers ventured forth on the ninth to pay homage to the two holes.  Yes, the Hole in the Wall and the Black Hole. 

You may think this took great courage or foolishness on our part facing the paralyzing possible prospect that no one escapes from a Black Hole.  But fear not, I was assured by our illustrious leader Val, we would certainly return in good time for a coffee or in this case a beverage at Murray’s cottage.  Thanks Murray, after a day of pilgrimaging paddling, the beverages hit the spot. 

Along the way we saw a full body dive into the water from the top of a pine tree by a determined osprey.  We also saw a sharp-shinned hawk, a merlin, an American bittern and a great blue heron.  Some mallards, wood ducks and common mergansers joined us along the water ways.  The fragrant water-lilies that festooned the channels were in magnificent bloom.  Water smartweed, pickerelweed and water-shield were in also in full bloom.  We saw flotillas of vegetation sprouting rose pegonia, round-leaved sundew, swamp candle, common St. Johnswort, large cranberry and pitcher-plant, all in flower.

The weather was very good.  The clouds kept our bodies cool and the breeze kept the bugs down.  The flash short rain storm at the end of our journey was like a baptism from the heavens rewarding the efforts of the paddlers’ pilgrimage.  A great day to be out in the water.  And yes, we had to make at least four portages in order to enjoy the panorama of these holey places.  Thanks, Val for planning the trip and Murray for your hospitality.

 Photos from this outing can be found here.

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