As planned, we just finished circumnavigating Franklin Island – again under the scorching sun! Slowly but surely, we started our return trip to Killbear Park. We stopped on Pancake Island for lunch, we explored Bateau Island and its small rocky islets Whale Back, and we finally set up camp at Pleasant Island to end a wonderful 9-kilometre day. We are grateful to the owners of a cottage on Pleasant Island who were good enough to give us some petrol for our generator that had sprung a leak during our travels. Thanks to them, you can read this blog.

As with other islands and islets on Georgian Bay, Pleasant Island is a fascinating series of rock formations in incredibly clear waters, from pure blue to turquoise, emerald green to golden amber, depending on the sun and the lakebed. Day after day, the beauty of this lake, each point and island bringing its own surprise, astounds us. Not to mention the cormorants, the loons, the geese and other bird species, following us each day.

Today, July 17 is Ashley’s nineteenth birthday. The day started with 17 versions of “Happy Birthday, Ashley”, each participant in the expedition wanting to mark this special day. There were a few appropriate songs followed by a stirring group rendition of “Stand By Me”. Later in the evening, a surprised Ashley was presented with a cake and candles.

Our expedition is blessed wit the presence of Jerry, a young man of Chinese extraction who generously shares his culture with us. He was at the origin of our rally cry: Di Jia Hao, which means, “A large family is a good thing” in Mandarin. Having started this expedition as a group, we overcame all difficulties thrown our way to become a team. Discovering and using each member’s special talents, we became a crew. As I watch how the youths of our expedition have bonded, there is no doubt that we are now a large family.