#2254 "Grande Chute Portage Take Out"

This was Day Two of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) supported DRAW (Dumoine River Art for Wilderness) 2019. We were all eco-artists trying to assist with the awareness of the importance of wilderness in modern society.

It was really cold overnight. I had packed only my summer gear but should have included a winter toque as well. I put a shower towel over my head in order to keep warm enough to sleep. We were up by 6:45 am and ready to paint after a sip of coffee and a piece of apple pie as a breakfast dessert. The car thermometer registered plus 8 Celsius. That temperature will feel warm in January but not in early August.

I decided to paint on the west side of the Dumoine just upstream from the Grand Chute. The steam thermals were rising in twisting tongues of vapour off the warm water. Crepuscular rays were piercing the mist and steam devils. The land was dark and strongly backlit. I was striving for simply the impression of the mercurial moments that one experiences while painting en plein air. It is best to simply become immersed with the elements whatever they happen to be.

The painting location was the take out for the Grand Chute Portage. I did not expect to see any canoeists for at least several hours so I would not be in anyone's way. Most trippers plan to reach the Grand Chute in the afternoon in order to enjoy the camping and swimming along this portion of the Dumoine. A large dragonfly buzzed my head around my companion wingman. Perhaps looking for a mate. The dragonfly did not linger long and I was not bothered by any biting insects either.

This view is looking downstream across the Grand Chute Bridge. The end of Goat Island is to the left. The bridge is the dark shape spanning the chute in the centre. The fog was still very thick and the roar of the rapids was in my ears. Mist filled the air. Apparently Goat Island was so named because early settlers thought that they would like some fresh milk. Goats left on the island would quickly learn that there was no way off and the shepherd would know where to find their flock. The herd of goats and the goat milk supply did not last for long though. Apparently wolves in the neighbourhood also liked the goats.

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