So, Chuck tried to kill us today. This morning we prepared for an outing on Clearwater Lake. We planned to see the salmon that had arrived in the clear waters that drain from Clearwater Lake into the Tanana River. Chuck had seen hundreds of them earlier in the week, and was anxious to get Ginger Snap and I out there to see them too.
We prepared for cold weather by layering. Ginger Snap and I wore our snow pants over a couple of layers to increase the odds of staying dry and warm in the shallow canoe. Chuck topped his layers off with insulated waders.
Since I know that keeping Ginger Snap fed will usually equate to keeping her happy, I packed a picnic. I also went through some of the tear sheets I have pulled from Family Fun Magazines over the years. I found an idea for making faces using paper plates, grass and acorns. I knew we wouldn’t run across any acorns in these parts, but I thought maybe we’d hug the bank close enough to grab a few handfuls of grass or straw and we’d be able to use that to piece something resembling a face together. So I packed the paper plates and the Elmer’s glue.
I even grabbed a clean peanut jar, paper cut into strips that could fit onto a child’s wrist, tape, and a marker. After scanning the area, I planned to scout out several items Ginger Snap could easily find either floating in the water or on the bank, write them on the paper, tape it to her wrist, and instruct her to collect everything in the peanut jar.
After I collected all the items that would undoubtedly lead to “Mother of the Year” bragging rights, we set out. Oh wait, we set out and discovered that Chuck’s truck was filled with duck hunting gear. And we quickly deduced that he wanted us to drive separate vehicles for this “family outing” that he took the day off in order to enjoy. He had not once mentioned that duck hunting would be a part of the “family outing”. I felt that if this was a “family outing” then the family should be together. But I complied (not happily) and began to load Ginger Snap into my truck. But Chuck, being an experienced husband, quickly exchanged the decoys for the car seat. Then we set out.
We arrived at Clearwater Lake Landing a short while later. We drove down the ramp and Chuck got out to unload the canoe. Ginger Snap and I clung to the few moments we had left in the warmth of the truck while we watched the wind chop the water into sharp points.
When our time with the heat was through, we rolled out (on account of all the layers) and carefully balanced our weight in the canoe. While shoving off, I looked up to the landing and took note that our vehicle was the only one in the lot.
It didn’t take me long to realize all those plans I had that involved Elmer’s Glue, paper plates, and peanut jars were completely and totally, ridiculous wishful thinking. LAUGHable. We were so cold, so thick with layers, so afraid that with one false move the gale force winds would topple us out of the canoe and into the frigid water, I never even once considered breaking out the crafts.
Chuck’s goal was to get us out of the main lake and into narrow section that drains into the Tanana River. With his paddle, he steered us alongside the bank until the wind made it impossible. The water was shallow, so he got out and pulled us through the worst of it.
Once we reached the narrow passage, the trees did their best to shield us from the wind’s fury. We floated along peacefully, searching the waters for the salmon that Chuck had discovered earlier in the week. When he originally saw them, the water was clear and the fish were abundant. Today, the water was murky so we couldn’t easily spot the fish. We did see a few but unfortunately none of them were interested in Chuck’s lure.
Chuck determined we’d have to follow through with the original plan and take what we call “Earl’s Shortcut” back to the main lake. “Earl’s Shortcut” is an even narrower strip of water that varies between deep enough to float and so shallow you must exit the boat and drag it across the rocks. The rocks raked across the bottom of the boat and threatened to peel away the bondo and fiberglass sheets that hold old cracks together. Chuck knew this we’d have to take “Earl’s Shortcut” before setting out today. It was part of the plan.
Since I couldn’t very well put my hip waders on over two layers of clothing and snow pants, during the first ½ a mile or so, I walked the bank and Chuck drug the canoe. I tried to hurry along so Chuck would never have to wait on me, but after I got a little too far ahead, Chuck yelled out for me to slow it down. When I asked him why (of course, I had to ask), he said it was ‘cause of the bears. Yeah. Salmon filled narrow lake inlets? Wooded forests? That makes for some big bear potential. Then you know what he did? He loaded his shotgun with bear slugs.
I kept walking, parallel with the gun wielding man and the boat. Now that sounds simple enough but the dry grass was high and the water that snaked in and out of it was frozen…mostly. After I stepped through the thin ice into muddy water 4 or 5 times, I got back into the boat. My feet were wet and there wasn’t a thing I could do about it. At that point, I might have wondered aloud why anyone in their right mind would ever think this was a trip a family could enjoy. I might have done that. But, Chuck kept smiling and paddling/pulling us along. I told Ginger Snap more than once that complaining would do us no good whatsoever then, I took my own advice.
I knew there was still a long paddle ahead of us and I was determined to get it over with. I sunk down to my knees in the wet boat, dug my paddle into the water with Olympic like determination, and tried not to ask how long it would be before we saw the ramp again.
After what seemed like a long, long time, we reached the point at which “Earl’s Shortcut” emptied into the lake. We were so close. There was just this one problem. That portion of the lake was frozen. It wasn’t frozen solid but there were big chunks of ice that butted against other big chunks of ice. There were thin sheets of ice under the big chunks. There were sheets of ice over the big chunks of ice. Of course, Chuck the crazy outdoors Alaska man, was expecting that too. We paddled hard and barreled through, breaking the ice into smaller pieces as we went. Once, I even had to jab my paddle into the ice at the bow of the boat, beating the ice into bits, while Chuck motored us through. Ginger Snap rooted us on.
We finally pushed our way through into the main lake but our trip wasn’t over. Without the shield of evergreens, the wind relentlessly thrashed waves at our little green boat. It was just as rough going out as it was going in. We paddled hard. We struggled to hug the bank but to stay out of the ice.
As we paddled, we listened to the music of ice bumping other ice and I imagined a bamboo wind chime.I realized I was blessed to be allowed to hear the music the ice makes in Alaska. I realized I am blessed to have a husband who wants to include us, no matter how difficult the trip. I realized I am blessed to have a daughter who is tough enough to handle such an uncomfortable family outing.
We paddled, and paddled, and paddled until finally, we reached land.
We got the truck running, and I helped Ginger Snap quickly shed her outer gear so she could snuggle in for a warm truck ride home. I rode home in my under armor, as it was the least wet article of clothing on my lower half.
All this was just a run of the mill, day at the lake for Chucky boy. In fact, he plans to go back to the lake on Sunday. Personally, I thanked God we survived the ordeal. And while that seems a little dramatic now, it certainly didn’t seem dramatic then. Thanks for the adventure Chuck, but don’t you EVER do that to us again.
Wow!! I don't know what to say. It's still October. How many hours of daylight do you have now? What was the temp that day? I see that Charley is wearing the coat and hat we picked out in Anchorage. I guess now is not the time to ask "Is it warm?"
ReplyDeleteYou will learn from every wet, cold and dangerous experience.
ReplyDeleteVery well written, sister. Good story, good story! What a delightful allegoryWhat? What's did you say? I can't understand you...Wha.. You say it's real? Real as in NON-fiction? Hm. It's real. Reality. K, I'm going to cyber-smack you, now. SMACK! K. Now I'm going to tell you something. Next time, you absolutely must recognize that being the only truck in the parking lot means that nobody else in their right mind is or wants to be doing what ya'll are doing--Not even the resilient Alaskan people. Nope. K. BYe.
ReplyDeleteTell her about it other sister!! Listen to your older, wiser sister H. She has learned from actual experience about being safe. Remember the time she got her passport stolen while in France? Oh and there was the time she ended up in a hospital there for 4 days. You are both trying to kill me right?
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. I remember those things. 'Tis true. I have lived and learned; therefore, everyone should listen to my wise words of advice intently, ever so intentHI EVERYBODY I LIKE PICKLES.
ReplyDeleteYou know those moments where mothers beam with pride for their children? I'll betcha that's not happenin' right now sis.
ReplyDeleteI ALWAYS beam with pride in my kiddos. God has been good to bless me with such awesome children in so many ways.
ReplyDelete