Last Paddle of the Gull this Season

Hitting the meat

Well I got in my very last paddle on the Gull this season with a few of my friends.  This river in Minden Ontario is so much fun.  I learned to paddler here and always enjoy coming back.  It just improves your technique so much paddling there.  I am off to the Ottawa River now though!  But here are some Gull photos!

All photos are by Patti Johnson!  Thanks Patti!

Johnny

Bruce Running the Dam GullWithBruceAndPatti

First Drop GullWithBruceAndPatti

Looking down the river GullWithBruceAndPatti

Bruce lining up Whitehorse Falls GullWithBruceAndPatti

Bruce getting ready for impact! GullWithBruceAndPatti

Impact! GullWithBruceAndPatti

Happy to be home GullWithBruceAndPatti

Running the dam

The Story Behind the Jeep

First Getting the Jeep

Well I have told many stories of myself and some of Rain from this road trip. But I have not told any about the Jeep, so here are some interesting facts about it!

- 1995 Jeep Cherokee
-Purchased in Maple Ontario with 160 000 km
-Driven 20 000 km on its road trip!
-Furthest Northern Point - Hay River on the Great Slave Lake Northwest Territories
-Furthest Eastern Point - Montreal Quebec
-Furthest Western Point - Tofino, Vancouver Island on the Pacific Ocean
-Furthest Southern Point - Maple Ontario where I bought it
-Lived in by me and a dog for a summer

Repairs/Stuff I broke
-Rear Brakes
-New Floor
-cracked windshield 3 times!
-broke something in the transfer case...no more 4 low really
-sexy new shifter nob!
-no more 2,3,4 setting on the fan, just low and high!
-near rear hydrolics on the hatch
-2 burnt out head lights (at the same time for awhile)
-Probably more stuff...I just can't remember!

Love,
The Jeep

No Dam on the Slave

Here is a video that my friend Jacqui Whitehead made about the Slave River when I was there. The Slave River is one of the best (if not the best) play rivers in the world and it is currently being threatened to be dammed. Check out the video and join the fight in stopping the Slave from being dammed!


Slave River 2009 from Jacqui  Whitehead on Vimeo.



Thanks for the great video Jaqcui!

Johnny

First Decent of the Otter Slide on a SUP

SUP on the OtterSlide GullStandUpPaddling

Today at the Gull my good friend Jaye talked me into doing the first decent of the Otter Slide on the Gull on a stand up paddle board (SUP). It was interesting. A rapid I have ran 1000's of times in my kayak and never thought of it being hard until I was standing above it on a board! SUP is an old Hawaiian form of transportation they used to surf ocean waves and such. Lately it has been slowly becoming more popular is a river running tool.

After my run Jaye made an attempt as well. We both has our stumbles and scary moments. It is a lot more difficult then it looks!

Johnny

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Gull River

Jump! GullRiver8.55

I finely got back to southern Ontario and headed straight for the Gull River in Minden Ontario. The river I learned to paddle on and spent so much time on. I love that river. Here are some pictures.

Johnny

All photos by Jonas Haarlammert and Martin Bessmann

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Boof! GullRiver8.55

The Long Road Home

Prairie Road TheLongRoadHome

The adventure home has been a long one. It started at 6 am Pacific time in Vancouver. When I got just out side of Vancouver I picked up a couple hitch hikers and gave them a ride into Banff. After Banff I gave another hiker a ride into Calgary. Then in Calgary I picked up a couple German hitch hikers and they are still with me!

From TheLongRoadHome

From TheLongRoadHome

I drove Vancouver to Medicine Hat for 14 hours that day! It was insane. Something like 1200km. I was ready for a switch so Martin from Germany took over. I figured if he could drive 240km/h on the Autobon he would be okay at 120km/h on a straight flat boring ass prairie road (the prairies are so boring). We finely arrived in Winnipeg after 26 hours of straight driving. From there we went to find the Sturgeon Falls Wave but couldn't. We did find an old guy and had a beer with him on his deck though. Later that day we made it back to Ontario where we camped the night near a lake.

From TheLongRoadHome

From TheLongRoadHome

The next day we drove into Thunder Bay where we stopped at Mary Ellen and Al's place. They offered us beer, a great dinner and beds. We were all so thankful for it. The food was amazing. I can't thank Mary Ellen and Al enough for their hospitality. This is the second time they have put me up now! Thanks!!!

From TheLongRoadHome

From TheLongRoadHome

After some sight seeing in Northern Ontario like Kakabeka Falls, Winnie the Pooh and so on we finely made it into Sudbury where we sent the night with my sister.

From TheLongRoadHome

From TheLongRoadHome

Today's mission is short and easy. 325km to the Gull River for a paddle!!!! I can't wait!

Johnny

German FriendsTheLongRoadHome

Creepy Hitch Hiker TheLongRoadHome

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From TheLongRoadHome

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From TheLongRoadHome

From TheLongRoadHome