Canoeing Black River in Prince Edward County

image of black river, prince edward county, ontario

After our energetic bike ride the day before, Bob and I looked for a place to launch our canoe the following morning.  When driving through the community of Black River, glimpses of the wide, calm waterway captured our interest.

image of tim, cabin fever kayak, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Next, we spotted Cabin Fever Kayak perched on the bank of Black River.  An inquiry was made, and Tim, the friendly owner, welcomed us to launch our canoe from his dock the next day.  A modest fee was agreed upon for the privilege, and our vehicle would be in a safe location during our absence.

image of bob carrying a canoe, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Preferring to be the “leaders of the pack”, Bob and I made a point to get an early start in hopes of seeing some wildlife.

image of bob carrying our canoe, cabin fever kayak, black river, prince edward county, ontario

There was much to be appreciated at Cabin Fever Kayak not the least of which were the heritage buildings housing the business.  I’m one who really appreciates antiques and relics, and the buildings exuded plenty of character.

image of heritage building, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Tim was making good use of the space in the structures that once housed the original Black River Cheese Factory.

image of bob handling our canoe, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Bob portaged the canoe from our car to the dock while I ferried all the other gear including life jackets, cameras, and our picnic lunch.

image of jean on the dock, cabin fever kayak, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Towering trees cast deep shade over us as we got organized, but it promised to be a hot day.

image of heritage building, cabin fever kayak, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Although I was intrigued by the artifacts on display and whimsical features added as decor to the exterior of the buildings, I would investigate those later.

image of jean in our canoe, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Without delay, Bob and I got away from the dock at 8:30 a.m. sharp!  No one else had yet showed up to rent or launch a vessel.

image of black river, prince edward county, ontario

Sunshine on that July morning soon bathed our skin in golden light as we paddled toward the opposite bank of Black River.

image of black river, prince edward county, ontario

Conditions were perfect for a smooth, peaceful paddle up the river towards Milford.

image of bulrushes and farm, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Winding lazily alongside farm fields and forests, Black River extends 6 kilometres to the one-time mill town.  Milford hosted grist mills and saw mills both of which were powered by Black River.

image of lily pads, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Looking at the river now, it is hard to imagine that at one time, ships and schooners made passage on it between Milford and Lake Ontario.

image of black river, prince edward county, ontario

Dredging took place in the 1800s using teams of horses and dredging bars to deepen the river to 8 feet.  This allowed schooners, steamers and scows built in Milford to be floated downriver.

image of black river choked with lily pads, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Powering our canoe was easy for the first while, perhaps 3 kilometres, but then vegetation started to choke the channel.  It was a trick maneuvering through the dense mats that extended deep into the water.

image of black river, prince edward county, ontario

Thankfully, the river’s current carved a narrow path through the centre of some of the masses of pond lilies.  We were constantly having to change direction.

image of jean paddling, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Pulled up and moored at shore was a derelict fishing boat.

image of an old fishing boat, black river, prince edward county, ontario

We wondered if it still is pressed into service on Lake Ontario on rare occasions.

image of trees and bulrushes along black river, prince edward county, ontario

Periodically, Bob and I would let the canoe float on the current while we tried to pick out a bird singing in the rushes.  Marsh Wrens competed with Common Yellowthroats filling the air with melodious song.

image of a great blue heron, black river, prince edward county, ontario

The usual sightings were made of an Osprey and Great Blue Heron.

image of trees along black river, prince edward county, ontario

Even as we tracked the flights of these birds, stalwart Pine Trees lining the shore reminded us of the great stands of forests that once edged the Black River.  They had been cleared to make way for a road.

image of a tall pine tree along black river, prince edward county, ontario

The 100-foot long logs were ferried downriver on barges to ships waiting on Lake Ontario.  They were destined for masts on schooners built in England.

image of a midland painted turtle, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Soon, the dark brown head of a rodent was seen swimming in front of us.  It turned out to be a Muskrat that ducked beneath the waves before we could snap a photo.  Making for a better subject to photograph were Midland Painted Turtles basking in the sun.

image of black river, prince edward county, ontario

Bob and I meandered leisurely upstream zigzagging from points of interest on one side of the river to the other as we saw fit.

image of common bladderwort, black river, prince edward county, ontario

A few sparse stems of Common Bladderwort poked from the water.

image of common bladderwort flowers, black river, prince edward county, ontario

This carnivorous plant probably was contributing to the tangle of stems obstructing our passage.  It spreads by creeping along the bottom of waterways where it is found.

image of vegetation clogging black river, prince edward county, ontario

The further upstream that Bob and I paddled, the more clogged the river became.  Forcing the paddles down through the dense vegetation was difficult enough, but then trying to pull the paddle and make headway became near impossible.

image of overgrown aquatic plants, black river, prince edward county, ontario

We were forced to turn back even though Milford was within striking distance, about another kilometre.

image of a green heron, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Bob and I were not daunted by this and continued to scan in earnest for wildlife.  We were delighted to spot a Green Heron fishing from a sunken tree branch.  It took flight almost immediately and soared along the shore looking for a new hunting spot.

image of a beached canoe, black river, prince edward county, ontario

Needing to stretch our legs for a few minutes, Bob and I pulled in at a small crescent-shaped bit of sand.

image of bob on the riverbank of black river, prince edward county, ontario

All property along Black River is privately owned, so we spent a short time limbering up before making a stab at the last stretch of river.

image of a frog, black river, prince edward county, ontario

As soon as we stepped from the canoe, we were amazed at the scores of frogs hopping in every direction.

image of a frog, black river, prince edward county, ontario

We had to tread lightly for fear of stepping on one.  Big ones and little ones alike were trying to get out of our way.

image of jean picking blueberries, prince edward county, ontario

It was pretty much smooth sailing as we paddled towards the landing.  No other boaters had yet crossed our path and it was nigh on lunchtime.  With the canoe secured to the roof rack and everything returned to our car, Bob and I set up shop in the shade to eat our picnic lunch.  The next stop of the day was blueberry picking at one of the many farms dotting the countryside in Prince Edward County.

Frame To Frame – Jean and Bob

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