G-WeBconnect

7th Annual Canoe Invitational:

Fulton Chain (continued)

Above: Some of the Boys take a mid-paddle siesta at the canal entrance to 3rd lake. They await the arrival of the Boys from NH who can be seen in the far distance. Jim-Big-Canoe-Huden wondered if the Boys from NH  were facing one and other and actually paddling in different directions.

Back

Forward

Above - A panoramic view of this year's flotilla crossing 2nd Lake. In the far-far-far distance, to the extreme far right, a faint orange dot can be seen poking up above the water line. This orange pin-point is actually Chris-the-Magnanimous-Hunter's orange hunting cap. He and his canoe partner (Michelangelo-the-Potterer) lagged far behind and seemed to be enjoying the views a little too much. The Boys would later learn that Chris and Michelangelo could barely paddle their canoe for two reasons. First, they had packed two cords of cherry and walnut fire wood in anticipation of camping on an island without any fuel for a blazing camp fire. Secondly, Michelangelo, who occupied the stern, had some how and unknowingly gotten his stern line tangled up in the under-workings of the loading dock at the Visitor Center. When they "shoved off" they accidentally ripped off part of the undercarriage to the dock and they had been (unknowingly) dragging it underwater for 6 miles.

Above: At lean-to #3, "g" prepares Day #1's dinner for 17. It's a Greek salad, home made sauce, ziti and meatballs.

          So, Day-One was a success. No one got lost, dunked or drown. This greatly pleased the Organizing Committee.

          Alger Island is a great little state campground. It's maintained extremely well by the Park Rangers. Despite what one might think, this heavily used campground (consisting of 15 lean-tos) actually had plenty of firewood and running water!

          Now… It should be noted that Alger Island isn't this little remote island tucked away in the mountains. As it turns out, the island is part of a major motor boat thoroughfare on 4th lake. So most any time of the day or night one can hear the buzzing of motors, jet skis and the happy howling of water skiers -- not quite what the Boys either expected or were used to. Never the less, they had a great time. Of course, no one was

prepared for the nightly rock-band serenade from the only bar and grill on the lake… 1/4 mile north of where their sleepy heads lay down to sleep. Fortunately… It was a great band!