--- In
[email protected], Larry Riddle
<thewanderer42460@y...> wrote:
Today I am marooned on an island. I know that it is hard for you my
readers or supporters to understand or even comprehend this fact. But
it is so. Only I can be so lucky. However it is not luck I am
feeling, but a humble awe for my Creator who provided a safe haven
from a storm.
Yesterday I was offered the use of a canoe on Moosehead Lake, Maine
so that I could go to Moosehead Island (there's mooseheads all over
the island, it's just a common thing) to camp for the evening and
hike around and maybe meet some fine looking Moosehead babes. The
wind was but a breeze when I departed. One half mile out and in the
middle of the lake I was awarded a burst of energy or so I thought,
because I started clipping along at one or two knots per hour.
Since I am gifted with a lot of stored energy, ("no offense, but some
of us are gifted with some extra body weight which is properly called-
stored energy") I found that it was not too much strain to go this
speed because after all I was given a "tail wind" to assist me. Only
God knows how to provide my friends.
Only that tail wind seemed to have driven me a little faster than I
could paddle. But I wasn't at all a bit disturbed. So I took the oar
and used it as a rudder. (And I want you to know that this was the
same oar that I carved with me "David Bowie" knife that was in the
previous story that I sent you folks.) So I took the oar and used it
as a rudder and my body girth provided the sail.
While all this was a happening and I was a clipping along at a very
steady pace, the waters became a bit choppy. But I wasn't at all a
bit disturbed, getting close though.
So I started thinking, and I was a bit proud of myself for thinking
first because had there been someone around I would have more than
likely had shot my mouth off and thought about it later.
Anyhow I was thinking about the advice that Michael Boutin,
proprietor of Northwoods Outfitters where I had received the canoe
and prior training seminar, had painstakingly given me before I
departed. That was, "If the wind rises and starts gusting and the
waters become a bit choppy, then flip the canoe and jump into the
water and kiss your fanny goodbye!" At least I think that is what he
had to say?
And at this time the wind had risen and the waters had become a bit
choppy and I was a bit "DISTURBED!" Since I was out of control of the
situation, my "Super Hiker Instincts" kicked in and all became well.
So I looks to the left and I looks to the right and I noticed that I
was the same distance from each side of the lake. 'Lo and Behold'
there was an island that was directly in front of me and I headed
right to it!
Since the wind was a gusting out of the southwest, I headed for the
northeast side of the island. As I neared this enchanted paradise I
noted a house and began looking for any signs of existence. There
didn't seem to be anyone about? As I rounded the island into much
calmer waters I heard a horn being tooted to the tune of the "Dixie
Land Express" I think and the distinct sound of a harp keeping up
with the tempo? So I stilled the canoe and took in the calming music
and waited for serene waters.
I'm taking this all in and tapping my toes to the beat and out of the
left corner of my eye I spotted me a figure sitting on the rocks that
were jutting from the waters in front of the island. I turned my head
towards that thar figure and right before my eyes is the prettiest
durn mermaid I had ever seen!
"I swear I'm telling the truth!" Right here in the middle of
Moosehead Lake, Maine!
She was a smiling at me and her eyes were so seductive, I was
naturally drawn towards her. As I paddled towards her I was a
noticing she was looking more like "Dolly Parton" the closer I got.
At least one part of her anatomy did. As I approached her she reached
out to me and I stood and shut my eyes, dropped my oar, reached out
to her in anticipating lust expecting an arm full of beauty, but
almost fell out of the canoe and in so doing opened my eyes to find
that she was a "fig newton" of my wishes!
I had heard of this kind of thing a happening to people in storms on
Moosehead Lake but it was the first time it had ever happened to me?
WOW! After this incident I found a flat area to ground the canoe, got
out and went ashore pulling the canoe from behind up onto dry ground.
I then walked to the house ever so cautiously, less a .44 caliber
might meet my weary head.
I knocked on the door and hollered ("that's what we down south in
case some of you slower ones don't know what I am talking about
here") but no one was home. So I went back to where I had grounded
the canoe hoping to gain a passing boaters attention.
First boater to near the island I'm a waving my arms back and forth
over my head. He waves back and smiles. The second one? Same thing.
Third? The same and so on...Everyone of them must have thought that I
was a waving "one big hello!" Ha! Finally I was able to draw someones
attention since I didn't quit waving this time when they did.
I can't remember the gents name, but as he neared the island he had
the most wearisome look on his face I have ever encountered up here
in the Moosehead Lake region. He must have been from New York City
where they don't cater to roadside chats, so to speak.
We introduced ourselves and I informed him of my current situation
and ask if he could make contact with the good folks who owned this
here piece of paradise to let them know that I was about? He then let
me use his cell phone to call Mike Boutin, the owner of the canoe, to
let him know what was going on and that I was going to stay put till
the storm passed.
He then started into lecturing me about taking a canoe out into these
here waters and of who's island I was on that I was beginning to
think that he was the official overseer of these here waters. I'm
telling you though you need people like this here fellar out here on
these waters. He'll protect your belongings and let others know when
they are out of place and get a hold of the proper authorities to let
them know what is going on. He'll do it because he feels part of the
family. The bottom line is "that we have to watch out for our own."
He offered me a ride to shore but I declined saying that I would just
sleep on the porch and wait out the storm. And that is what I did.
I was thinking this morning when I arose that I would prepare some
coffee, have a snack, jot a note down for the owners that I had been
on their island and then canoe back to the main land so that I could
continue to paint that big ole building I had started on after hiking
into town off the Appalachian Trail seeking employment.
But Noooooooo! It wasn't suppose to be. Overnight the wind had
changed directions and is now howling from the north with gusts of up
to 20-40 mph! It has been going on all darn day long! I have sat here
this entire day worrying if the owners of this here paradise knew
that I was here and if they were going to show up with shotguns and
perform "Mutiny On The Bounty" on my poor wet soul or perhaps the law
was going to come with the National Guard, haul me off and detain me
for National Security reasons? I worried.
But alas, I have quit worrying and am now taking in the grandeur of
this majestic place with the loons singing their eerie songs, bobbing
on the waves in front of me while they dive for their dinners. And I
am thankful that I live in America and that I am free.
Ah, the life of The Wanderer......
Larry Riddle
Moosehead Lake, Maine / Written sometime in the summer of 2002
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Originally Posted by Crazy Larry #1
