Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:00:50 -0800 (PST)
From: Ben Ezra Jacobson <ben_ezra_jacobson@yahoo.com>
Subject: Chapter Two of THE CANOE TRIP
THE CANOE TRIP
By: Dr. Ben Ezra Jacobson, PhD.
Chapter 2
The morning came with dark skies and rain. The air was cool and water
ran from the dinning fly. What had been a dry and firm footing last night
when we returned from our canoe ride after dark, was now mud. We stepped
on stones along the path to the tables which were dry...under the canopy.
Our food supply was dry but the camp stoves had taken on moisture from the
humidity...and were a bit difficult to get started...but once
burning...continued for the next hour. All campers like fried potatoes
with bacon and eggs. We made some flap jacks and poured genuine imitation
Maple syrup over them...and a big pot of hot tea. Though the air was cool
and the rain cold...our spirits were not, not at all. Dressed in sweat
pants and sweat shirts and ball caps, we were dry. None of us wanted to
admit that we had nothing under our sweat suits...but bulges showed that we
were all quite naked underneath.
As we were cleaning up from breakfast...a boat pulled up to the
landing. It had a covered top of canvas type fabric much like a
convertible automobile and the owner after tying up at the burned out
bridge...made his way up the incline to our campsite. It was the guy who
had visited with us at the store the day before. He had an official type
uniform on and said that he came to check on us because there were storm
warnings out for the area.
"Storm warnings," we all said in unison, " Wisconsin has storms"?
He laughed, "Well not like tornadoes or hurricanes, but this area can
have severe lightning strikes in storms...and you might not be too safe on
the island. I can take you to shore where there is more protection until
we are out of danger."
He was sincere...and we knew that he meant business...but he was also
kind and obviously interested in our well being. He was a tall guy about
27 or 28, sandy haired, ruddy complexioned and affable. As we looked at
each other...it seemed like we would best be listening to his warning.
"What about all of our gear," we asked, "do we just leave it here...or
take it with us?
"I would suggest that we secure your canoes with a chain and lock,
close up your tents but bring your personal affects with you, and I will
take you to shore with me," he said. "We will find you accommodations if
the storm continues...which it might, the weather people are saying the
front has stalled over our area in a 50 mile radius...and it might not be
safe to return to the island until it is over...and that could be
tomorrow."
We all looked at each other and someone said, "oh shit". Leave the
island was the right thing to do...but to leave the camping gear and the
canoes was not exactly what we felt comfortable in doing.
"We'll be up a creek with out a paddle, literally, if the gear is gone
when we get back", Tom said. "I am favor of taking it all with us...even
if we get soaked."
"And what if you get struck by lightning in the process," said Ted,
the ranger.
"Come on guys...we have to do what is best...to be out of harm's way,"
replied Larry..."who is going to brave electrocution just to steal our
gear?"
"Right," said the ranger. "We will patrol the area as best we
can...and no one is going to bother it during an electrical storm."
No sooner had the words come out of his mouth than a clasp of thunder
rocked the island and the flash lit up the sky.
"We can be ready in about 15 seconds," Fred exhorted...and off to the
tent he went for his things.
The six of us got into Ted's boat and huddled together as we made the
rocking trip back to the mainland. Another staff member from the ranger's
office met us at the dock to tie up the craft and hand us slickers to throw
over us as we ran to the office. The presiding ranger told us to have a
seat...and tried to reassure us that we would be well cared for...and that
they would keep an eye on our things on the island. One of the guys rolled
his eyes as if he did not believe it...and I was expecting the Ranger to
chastise him...but he did not. Instead he got up from his seat and sat
down next to us...and again assured us that they would watch our canoes and
camp gear.
"We will have to find you some safe lodging for the night," he
advised. "I can take two or three of you to my house and Mitch and his
wife have room for two of you in their spare bedroom and that leaves only
you". He was pointing to me.
"You can stay at my cabin down the road," Ted said. " It is
small...but there is room for one besides me...and it is warm and dry."
All of my camp mates looked at me...and I could see what they were
thinking...Ben is going to get screwed tonight. Ted did not look like the
type of man that was into mutual male gratification. I suspected that I
would be on the sofa and he would be in his room behind a closed door. Not
that I would not like to get screwed in the night...I just did not read the
same writing on the wall that my camp mates were trying hard to conjure up.
We spent most of the day at the ranger station...and Ted took us to a
local dive for lunch...which to our great surprise was very good. The
ranger station picked up the tab which made it that much better. This
storm business might not be so bad after all. We all looked at each other
and someone said, "oh shit". Leave the island was the right thing to
do...but to leave the camping gear and the canoes was not exactly what we
felt comfortable in doing.
"We'll be up a creek with out a paddle, literally, if the gear is gone
when we get back", Tom said. "I am favor of taking it all with us...even
if we get soaked."
"And what if you get struck by lightning in the process," said Ted,
the ranger.
"Come on guys...we have to do what is best...to be out of harm's way,"
replied Larry..."who is going to brave electrocution just to steal our
gear?"
"Right," said the ranger. "We will patrol the area as best we
can...and no one is going to bother it during an electrical storm."
No sooner had the words come out of his mouth than a clasp of thunder
rocked the island and the flash lit up the sky.
"We can be ready in about 15 seconds," Fred exhorted...and off to the
tent he went for his things.
The six of us got into Ted's boat and huddled together as we made the
rocking trip back to the mainland. Another staff member from the ranger's
office met us at the dock to tie up the craft and hand us slickers to throw
over us as we ran to the office. The presiding ranger told us to have a
seat...and tried to reassure us that we would be well cared for...and that
they would keep an eye on our things on the island. One of the guys rolled
his eyes as if he did not believe it...and I was expecting the Ranger to
chastise him...but he did not. Instead he got up from his seat and sat
down next to us...and again assured us that they would watch our canoes and
camp gear.
"We will have to find you some safe lodging for the night," he
advised. "I can take two or three of you to my house and Mitch and his
wife have room for two of you in their spare bedroom and that leaves only
you". He was pointing to me.
"You can stay at my cabin down the road," Ted said. " It is
small...but there is room for one besides me...and it is warm and dry."
All of my camp mates looked at me...and I could see what they were
thinking...Ben is going to get screwed tonight. Ted did not look like the
type of man that was into mutual male gratification. I suspected that I
would be on the sofa and he would be in his room behind a closed door. Not
that I would not like to get screwed in the night...I just did not read the
same writing on the wall that my camp mates were trying hard to conjure up.
We spent most of the day at the ranger station...and Ted took us to a
local dive for lunch...which to our great surprise was very good. The
ranger station picked up the tab which made it that much better. This
storm business might not be so bad after all.
The storm continued through out the day and there were several
lightning strikes in the area. We heard the volunteer fire department go
out several times...once to strike on a garage and twice to a strike in a
campground...but as far as we knew at that time...our island camp was safe.
We watched the weather channel on the news and listened to the Ranger's
scanner and felt like we were on top of all the news. The intensity of the
storm lessened for a bit in the late afternoon as we parted to our
respective lodgings for the night. Ted drove me to his cabin which was
about a half mile to the north. I was expecting a shack with a pot bellied
stove...but was pleasantly surprised to find a nice, modern log cabin with
a field stone fireplace in the center...and a modest but well equipped
kitchen. There were two bedrooms down stairs and a loft bedroom upstairs
where one could look out at the lake. Lodging here might not be too bad.
"Are you fond of Pizza and salad," he asked as he showed me his cabin.
"Yes, I am," I responded. "Do you have a Pizza place around here?"
"Sure do", he replied, " but I also make them from scratch. When I
was your age...I worked in a Pizza shop and learned all the tricks."
"Fantastic," I added. " I have never met a Pizza, that I did not
like...maybe with the exception of anchovies."
"Me too," Ted said, " they're just too damn salty for my taste."
"Yeah...I know what you mean"...I responded as I looked out the
window at the rain.
"If you want a shower...the Pizza will be about 30 minutes," Ted
advised, "Go ahead and get that out of the way and you'll feel better for
supper."
I wondered if he would follow me into the bathroom...but he did not.
I showered and shaved and put on some dry clothing...blue jeans and a red
sweat shirt. When I returned to the kitchen...Ted was setting the Pizza on
the cooling rack...and was pouring tea into glasses.
"All set", he said, "let's eat this while it is hot. You know the
secret to good pizza is putting the Italian sausage on raw and letting it
bake...makes for a greasy Pizza...but so good."
I so totally agreed. The greaser...the better.
After our supper, Ted said to me, "Let's call the other guys in your
camping group so you can talk with them before turning in. They will want
to know that you are ok...and I suspect you will rest better knowing that
they are in good care."
I thought his gesture incredibly thoughtful...and as I spoke to each
of the other guys...they had all been fed very well and were settling in
with their respective hosts. All seem contented with the sleeping
arrangements and we spoke briefly of returning to the island tomorrow if
the storm passed.
Again wondering at Ted's motives for bringing me to his house...I
asked, "where do you want me to sleep? The sofa looks very comfortable."
"It's not", Ted replied, " your back would be killing you by morning.
I usually sleep in the loft except during storms. Too close to a lightning
bolt if it should ever hit. We will both sleep down stairs. You can have
the west bedroom and I will take the east one."
I remembered that both were very nice and had full size beds with the
bathroom opening on both sides between the two bedrooms. Ted hung around
fidgeting with the blinds while I removed my sweat shirt exposing my bare
chest...and he hung around while I removed my shoes and socks. What is he
going to do when I remove my jeans and he sees that I have no underwear on
under them. As I slid them down and stepped out...he chuckled and said, "I
thought as much. I never wear underwear when I am off duty...unless my mom
is going to be here."
"What about when your girlfriend is here," I asked.
"Yah right," he laughed. "Not likely...I'm gay."
I beamed a great smile. Maybe the boys were right...maybe I was going
to get screwed tonight.
"I'm off for a shower"...he said as he left the room chuckling.
I turned off the light and crawled beneath the sheet...listening to
the water running in the shower...and wondering what was going to happen
next.