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One cigarette butt contaminates up to 50 liters of water

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Oddly enough, the first time I saw this type of sign was on a super busy beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico this winter. I wonder why I haven't seen more signs like this when I travel to waterways:  One cigarette butt contaminates up to 50 liters of water. In Spanish, una colilla de de cigarro contamina hasta 50 litros de agua . The sign was posted by a local restaurant.  I wonder why cigarettes are still allowed anywhere anymore. They are banned from more and more public places world wide. Bravo! I wonder why cigarettes are even produced when you can wear a toxic patch or chew toxic gum and not bother anyone or anything with this disgusting, toxic habit. But I do know one thing, now when I make travel plans, the first thing I will look for are completely smoke-free resorts. The resort we stayed at in Mexico did not allow smoking in rooms nor in the dining areas, lobbies, gym, etc. Even though there were open areas where people could smoke, this type of all-inclusive re
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Kayaking the Petite Peribonka River

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All the waterways around Lac Saint Jean are large. Even the Petite Peribonka Rive r. You can easily access the Peribonka River and the Petite Peribonka River, from . . . guess where? The town of Peribonka, located on the north shore of Lac St-Jean at the mouth of the Peribonka River. The Peribonka River (French: Rivière Péribonka) is a river in the Lac-Saint-Jean area in Quebec, Canada. It is about 450 kilometres (280 miles) long. It flows into Lac Saint-Jean at Pointe-Taillon National Park and is the largest tributary of this lake. There is a public boat launch in the town of Peribonka and parking nearby. Just stay on Hwy 169 to Peribonka. The launch is right next to the road at Rue Edouard Niquet. You'll see the docks. A company at the launch also rents kayaks for day paddles along with a small plastified map of the area. If the captain isn't there, just pick up the VHF radio on the door and call him. The instructions on how to reach him are posted. He's usually
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Cycle to the Chutes a Michel in Saint Felicien, Quebec

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When we arrived in Saint Felicien, Quebec (Canada) with bikes and sea kayaks, wondering what to do and where to go, several locals asked, "Have you been to the Chutes a Michel yet? No? You really should go. You'll like it." So we did. We changed our tentative plans to cycle the Veloroute des Bluets  around Lac Saint Jean and headed off trail to find the rapids and falls. When more than one person is convinced you'll enjoy the place, your curiosity won't let you pass it by. We easily found the almost hidden access to the cycle trail that leads to the falls with directions from the owner of Maison Banville Bistro where we were having lunch in Saint Felicien , and now I'll help you find it too: The Chutes a Michel on Rivière Ashuapmushuan . From downtown Saint Felicien follow rue Sacre Coeur (street) towards Beaudoin Street. At the end of rue Sacre Coeur in a quiet residential neighborhood, look for the little off-road trail hidden in the trees and bush
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Where to stay and eat in Saint Felicien, Quebec for kayakers and cyclists

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I don't usually talk about accommodations, but when visiting the Lac Saint Jean region in Quebec, Canada for cycling and kayaking, this was my biggest problem! Figuring out what was available and where to stay. I didn't know the area at all. Internet research left me scratching my head. The most common lodging to be found in this area was B & Bs (gite), my least favourite type of lodging. B & Bs are hit and miss. But I stumbled across this little jewel, Maison Banville in Saint Felicien, by sheer luck. In the heart of town, you'll find it at 1086 boulevard du Sacre-Coeur . Or visit their website at www.lamaisonbanville.com. This is where cyclists like to stay while touring the 256 kilometre Veloroute des Bluets that circles Lac Saint Jean. It's perfect for road warriors. You've got services: B & B, bistro with great food and a company called Equinox Adventure shuttles cyclist's luggage from accommodation to accommodation around the Lac Sai
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Paddleboarding with lightning vs paddling with the sunset

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The glow on the paddleboard is so different. With lightning strikes in the distance refusing to let night fall, the board, the lake, and the sky emit an eerie, electric glow. At sunset, in the absence of impending storm, the board has such a warm glow. But, both signal it's time to head home. Safe and happy paddles. The BaffinPaddler
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Discover a cute kayak launch in Val Morin, Quebec, Canada: Paddle Riviere du Nord to Lac Raymond

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When you stumble across a nice place to launch a kayak and someone with a smiling, friendly face comes out of a beautiful little mountain theatre across the road to greet you and asks you to tell others about this place, how can you say no. And he didn't even know I was a paddle blogger. Remember the beautiful facade of this building. It's right across the street from the small public launch on Riviere du Nord in Val Morin, Quebec . Or Google the address of Theatre du Marais and put it in your GPS: 1121 10th avenue. Free parking is on the street next to the theatre. Sorry, there is no public restroom in the Parc de la Riviere at this launch site. We visited on a day with constantly threatening black skies of rain. Here's another jewel of a place I really don't want to share because I like it. I want to be greedy. It's a day paddle route. No camping along the way. But, I'll let go and share it in the hope that you save some of the time we spend explo
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Are you prepared for fishing lure encounters?

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Remember me? No I forgot to look. Are you prepared if you step on me? No, not really. I guess I could take off my paddle bootie if you aren't stuck in my foot. I left the wire cutter in the car. Now that you found me, what are you going to do with me? It doesn't happen often, but this is the second time I almost stepped on a big fishing lure with multiple barbs. This one is bright red and easy to see, but with all the interesting scenery surrounding me, it was easy to miss. I only noticed it when I knelt down to take a photo. Location : An island in Baie des Girard, off Saint Gedeon, Lac Saint Jean, Quebec, Canada This is why I wear a good paddle bootie with a thick sole and not neoprene paddle socks. Protect your feet! Now what to do with this lure?  I can't leave it on an island shoreline to wash back out into the water unattended or leave it where it sits for someone else to step on. I planted the fishing lure firmly into a dead tree. I thought I
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