Latest blog entries
Photos from Day 6
Posted July 28, by Rocco Rossi
Video Blog - Last day
Posted July 28, by Rocco Rossi
Video Blog - Day 5
Posted July 27, by Rocco Rossi
Greetings from Rideau River Provincial Park – Day 5
Posted July 27, by Rocco Rossi
Today was a relatively easy day – a total distance of 18km. Having left early again today, I finished just after noon with literally seconds to spare for a pre-arranged live telephone interview with 93.3 FM in Quebec City!
Out on the water, I kept thinking back to the Leeds-Grenville Liberals I met last night. Seeing so many enthusiastic Liberals out celebrating really drove home the point of my adventure. As National Director I’m fortunate enough to do politics for a living, but the fortunate few who get a pay cheque from politics should never lose sight of the fact that politics is built on volunteers like Ron Hartling, Wendy Chow, Gordon Shields and their teams. I think of this adventure as homage to our volunteers. By taking some of my vacation to take part in this journey, I too can be a volunteer for a week and thank some full-time volunteers along the way.
On a final and deeply sad note, we lost a great Liberal and a friend recently. I was saddened to hear of Jerry Yanover’s sudden passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as we mourn his loss. As it seems that the funeral will be held in Ottawa on Wednesday, I will adjust my schedule to attend the service. Stay tuned to my video blog for more on that...
Beveridges in the morning and Burgers in Merrickville - Day 4
Posted July 26, by Rocco Rossi
Got off to an early start again this morning and loved every minute of it. I can’t overstate how peaceful it is out on the water before the locks open… the silence is interrupted only by the chirping birds and my paddle slicing through the water. The shoreline is lined with bulrushes intertwined with pink and white morning glories. I picked one of the biggest and prettiest lilies I’ve ever seen so I could take a picture. You can see it on my Flickr page.
The sun was out in full force for most of the day. No sign of rain in Merrickville where Wendy Chow and the Leeds-Grenville riding association graciously hosted a BBQ get-together. Burgers were consumed, friendships were forged and, yes, a little money was made. There is still time to make a contribution if you haven’t already at https://www.liberal.ca/give23_e.aspx.
Tomorrow will be a relatively easy day as I’ve already covered just over 123km. Our next event will be in Manotick on Tuesday where the association is planning festivities… Ottawa-area MPs are rumoured to be attending...
I’m thrilled to announce that Justin Trudeau will join me for the final day. He will leave Manotick with me around noon on Wednesday and we will paddle to Dow’s Lake where we will be joined by even more paddlers. I’m also hearing that the man we want to be the 23rd Prime Minister himself, Michael Ignatieff will be on hand to welcome us at the Wonderful Wednesday celebration! I hope you will be there too.
Video Blog - Day 4
Posted July 26, by Rocco Rossi
Video Blog - Day 3
Posted July 25, by Rocco Rossi
Blog - Day 3
Posted July 25, by Rocco Rossi
Despite rain in the forecast and the storm clouds covering the horizon, it stayed mostly sunny all day. Dan even remarked that I was noticeably darker since he last saw me off. We joked that if it wasn’t for the video blog, people would think we had snuck off to Florida for the week!
The paddling started a little later than the previous day – enjoying a dry cottage and good company will do that to you – but was just as eventful. At our first stop at Narrows lock we were greeted by a live band, a charity BBQ and even came across a convoy of antique cars…tempting though it was, we didn’t stay long because ahead of me lay the open water of Big Rideau Lake.
Open water is challenging. It’s far choppier than the narrower canals I’ve paddled to date, and the boat traffic is incredible. If you hear of a small country missing its Navy – we found it on Big Rideau Lake! But with the wind at my back, I made it to Beveridges lock station in good time and even better spirits.
One of the most amazing parts of this trip has been our ability to stay in touch with family and friends (like you) through what Dan calls our “toys”. We’ve posted pictures of the mobile office for you to see – but essentially we set up a laptop with a wireless internet stick on any picnic table and tweet the night away. My family gets a kick out of my zany adventures (to say I was not into sports as a child is a considerable understatement). My favourite message of the day came to me from my cousin Angelo who messaged me to say : “Stop! Eat some pasta!”
And so, never one to disobey Angelo, I say good night and I look forward to our dinner event in Merrickville tomorrow with Wendy Chow and company!
Rocco
Photos from Day 3
Posted July 25, by Rocco Rossi
Video Blog Day 2: Up bright and early and smooth sailing
Posted July 24, by Rocco Rossi
2 times 23 is 46 ! – Blog day 2
Posted July 24, by Rocco Rossi
Dan and I woke up this morning at the crack of dawn and were relieved that the rain held off long enough for us to fold our tents and gather our things. After a light breakfast I hit the water before the locks opened. What an experience! No other boat traffic, just me, my kayak and my thoughts. Along the way I saw 14 loons, 5 ospreys, 3 herons and 1 swimming snapping turtle…
The locks are magnificent structures – they have always reminded me of a medieval castle. The stone walls which dam the waterway jet out of the water like sheer cliffs and the giant human-powered doors – unchanged since the 19th century -welcome boaters with the sounds of clanging chains and rusty gears. It’s amazing to think of Colonel John By and the brave labourers who toiled for years to make this waterway possible.
The day ended as it began, and the rain held off for most of the day – with the notable exception of a downpour near Chaffey’s Locks. With the cooperative weather and the early morning start, I was able to make even more progress than expected. As I sit here at the Newboro locks, my sore shoulders remind me that I’ve covered just about 46km today! Amazing how things work out.
Tonight I will enjoy the hospitality of a friend and colleague who has graciously offered to host us at her cottage just up the road. We thank Jennifer for her hospitality and shelter – bring on the rain!!
Photos from Day 1
Posted July 24, by Rocco Rossi
Day 1 – A Beautiful Day! – Kingston to Upper Brewers lock station (approx. 26km)
Posted July 23, by Rocco Rossi
Despite rain and a few set-backs, day 1 turned out to be just lovely. It all started with the drive in from my home in Toronto – as the rain bounced off my windshield I couldn’t help but wonder how on earth we would have a Bon Voyage BBQ at the Confederation Basin Marina! But luckily, Ron Hartling and the Kingston Liberals had it covered. Quick on their feet, they managed to rent a room at Kingston City Hall – and what a room! Framed by stunning architecture, filled with stained glass, and oozing history– the venue was very representative of Kingston itself.
Some cold cuts, greek salad and a few donations later, the assembled crowd of Liberals defied the darkening skies and came down to Confederation Basin Marina to see me off. Out of respect for the victims of the tragedy at Kingston Mills, I chose to bypass that particular lock station and continue my adventure further downstream. So I paddled east to the outskirts of Kingston where I was met by Daniel Lauzon who is driving the support vehicle and supporting me along the way. There, I disembarked and we drove a few kilometers down the road where we launched again shortly thereafter.
It was great to get back into the swing of things and paddle the Rideau Canal – such natural beauty. I was reminded of my earlier trip down this same system for Heart and Stroke foundation. Back then I remarked that this was a bird lover’s paradise – and the Canal didn’t disappoint. I saw herons, (23 of them!) barn swallows, king fishers, loons, ospreys and swans - plus lovely white water lilies along the way as I paddled to Lower, then Upper Brewers lock stations.
As I started out in the rain in Toronto this morning, U2's "Beautiful Day" came on and, despite the rain, that was exactly what I experienced. Now, with my laptop and blackberry on hand (I can hardly believe how much technology has changed my ability to keep in touch on these trips), I write my blog to the pitter-patter of rain drops on the nylon tent and relish the thought of starting up again tomorrow.
Up the Creek Video Blog - Day 1
Posted July 23, by Rocco Rossi
Interactive map
Posted July 23, by Rocco Rossi
Welcome to the beautiful Rideau Canal
Posted July 14, by Rocco Rossi
A snapshot from my trip in 2006
Posted July 13, by Rocco Rossi
Up the creek with a paddle: an overview
Posted July 12, by Rocco Rossi
Summer is no time to rest. As the Liberal Party's National Director, I know an election can come at any moment. That's why on July 23, I'll be launching our "Up the Creek WITH a Paddle" fundraising expedition, a six-day kayak trip from Kingston to Ottawa in support of Michael Ignatieff, the man who we hope will become our 23rd Prime Minister.
Twenty-three is going to be an important number on this trip. Not only will I pass through 23 locks after casting off on July 23, but we're also asking you, our supporters, to help by donating $23, multiples of $23, asking 23 friends to join the Party, asking 23 friends to donate to the Party or even committing to 23 hours of volunteer work between now and the next election – use your imagination, the sky is the limit! There will be several events along the route and I hope you can join us for one. Meanwhile, I'll be updating this page daily with video, blog posts and tweets so you can share in the adventure.
The odyssey ends at Dow’s Lake in Ottawa on Wednesday, July 29, with a Wonderful Wednesday reception that will include special guests and supporters. Let's keep the fundraising momentum going. Click here to make your donation now.