Prior to this photo Russ and I had been on a canoe adventure with two other couples to the Rangley Lakes in Maine, Mooselookmeguntic to be specific. (Russ had a great way for us all to remember ow to say the name. Use your Indian background knowledge and shout "MOOSE, LOOK MAGUNTIC!")
Mooselookmeguntic is a myriad of coves, islands and mountain vistas. One drives through 'nowhere', along dark reaches of dirt roads about 10+ miles into the wilderness. Coming from a metropolis of 1000, nowhere was a bit intimidating. At this point in time, many years later, I only have a sweet, small memory. We came to a cattle gate which meant we were 'almost' there, somewhere. Driving through at dusk, after a long day of driving we found a spot to camp for the night and a place to park our vehicles for the week. As the hour was not 'golden' for starting out, we settled in for the night adjusting to near silence. Next morning... up and at 'um!
There was a period in our marriage when Russ called me WEB. Water is my favorite element. It is soothing and always brings on a deep peace whether I am on it, in it or at it's edge. Spending a whole week in its presence was bound to be glorious. Early the first morning we loaded the canoes to set out on an adventure.
Journey on. This was when we were young and foolish and drank Gin & Tonics nightly. That said, we had to bring ICE for a week in our canoe! I am fairly certain the ice was the heaviest part of the paddle and midway into our first day's paddle we tired. Russ, ever inventive, decided we should convert our paddle canoe into a sail canoe. Simple? Not really. We pulled out our ground cloths and duck tape. Voila! I wish I had a photo of that, it was beautiful. Russ paddled from the stern. I held up 2 paddles (of course we had an extra... just in case) midship with our bright red tarp wrapped and taped to the paddles. The wind was gentle enough for me to be able to have a firm grasp of the sail and we sliced through the water.
The perfect little island came into view and we all headed there. We made camp, each doing our part to pitch tents, set up our 'kitchen', dig a latrine, build a fire pit and fashion a few chairs with drift wood. We were ready, settling into the call of the wild. There was of course the daily water adventure, catching fire flies, watching shooting stars, listening for the call of the loons, spotting the occasional moose, catching sight of Mt. Washington in the distance, picking blueberries for morning pancakes, building a beach person from found objects and naturally relaxing with a G&T as the sun set each evening. The week was pure joy.
We were forever spoiled by the ease of a sail canoe. Returning to VT Russ immediately went to Mad River Canoe (manufacturing plant in our village) and asked it there was a sail package available. No, but yes; the owner actually had one and would sell it to us. Russ made the conversion, adding the sail you saw in the first photo. It enabled us to propel our canoe across a lake which is absolutely exhilarating, Not only could we increase our speed and distance, but it was also a fun and relaxing.
It expanded our possibilities of adventure with the kids... one sail canoe, one paddle canoe. Tie up in the middle of the Waterbury Reservoir and have a picnic...perfect.