Voyageur Heritage Weekend – June 9/10, 2012

June 9^th is Canada Rivers Day 

Can you imagine how special it would be to paddle a Voyageur Canoe along the same shoreline of  the Ottawa River, where 400 years ago these large canoes travelled the same waters.  Back then in flotillas - often 50 a day – flying upstream in Autumn laden with hardware, pots and pans and blankets to trade with the native peoples; then downstream utilizing the rushing spring currents with boats piled high above the gunnels with beaver pelts. 

This Special Weekend at OWL Rafting on the Ottawa River will have you experience the past first hand. 

Saturday we will be running down the famous rapids of the Rocher Fondue in a raft.  Return to the OWL Resort aboard our Pontoon Boat enjoying a BBQ meal. At night, try your hand at log-rolling, hear some great stories told by Barney McCaffrey and his accordion, before settling in to savour the delicacies of a true Voyageur meal – tourtiere,  hot beans baked in the sand and tarte aux sucre.    Then learn some new step-dance moves that will have you lift your skirts, and kick your heels up with the vibrant fiddle music of the Ottawa Valley.

Sunday will start with a lakeside breakfast.  Then climb into one of 12-18 passenger Voyageur Canoes brought in specially for this day.  Paddle the calmer waters  out front of the OWL Resort on Lac Rocher Fondu.  Your guide will be dressed in period attire, and share with you the history of the people – Voyageur stories, as well as teach us verses of  French-Canadian ‘drinking’ songs while building a rhythm that will help us propel these large crafts graciously over the waters. Our weekend will come to a conclusion with a BBQ lunch at noon back at the OWL Resort.

Do join us on one of the following great packages:  

Rafting Package   Adult:  $200 , Children 12 & under:    $130

Includes One-day of Whitewater Rafting, 5 meals and Camping – as well as all the above theme weekend activities. 

Whitewater Kayak & Canoe Package    Adults:    $120, Children 12 & under: $80

Paddle your own boat down either channel of the Ottawa River, and enjoy the luxury of returning to the OWL Resort aboard the Pontoon Boat  having a BBQ lunch.  Camping at OWL, and the remaining Voyageur Package (described above) is included in the full package.   . Bonus:  test the latest SUP, with Imagine's Corran Addison bringing up a fleet of whitewater and open water Stand Up Paddle boards.

VOYAGEUR Canoe Package - Sunday afternoon     Day pass:   $30

Sunday lunch on OWL’s lakeside patio overlooking Lac Rocher Fondue – then take your seat in a Voyageur Canoe for your own real-life experience of turning back time and travelling the waters of the Voyageurs – our early settlers.  

  

   

Double your Fun on our Two Day Deluxe Whitewater Vacation.  Enjoy the excitement of springs high water levels descending the Ottawa River in two different boats.  One day rafting in the 12-person Rafts, and one day in a Sportraft or Sportyak 5 meals, and two nights camping at the OWL Resort.

                $239 per person
                May 19th to June 24th only!