THE FIVE WORN OUT INDIANS
by crazycanoe
Upon awaking, we could hear the loons on the water (I just LOVE THAT sound!!), but hundreds (NO, I am not exaggerating) of skeeters were sitting on the screen of our tent between the tent and the rainfly, just waiting for us so we opted to lay there and listen to the loons.
Breakfast was scrambled eggs with peppers and bacon.
We hit the water fairly early deciding to take the westerly section of Boulder River to the 24R portage instead of the 115R portage into Lake Agnes. Everyone in the group welcomed the extra paddling over the longer portage (I mean IT IS a canoe trip, right?)
Two canoes catamaran up (the solo canoe and one two-man canoe) and went as far as they could on the river before having to break down the cat at the 24R portage. As we completed the 24R portage, we were loaded and pushing off, when 4 canoes came around the bend. It was a Boy Scout troop from Kansas City. I hollered out to see if they had a satellite phone that we could use to call our outfitter. I heard a YES!!! While the boys dug for the phone
SCOUT HELP - DIGGING FOR THEIR SATELLITE PHONE
I am sure I encountered at least 50+ skeeter bites but I wasn’t leaving until we made contact with our outfitter regarding our change of plans. While part of the group was digging for the phone, the other part of their group (still sitting out in the water in their canoes) asked if we had Benadryl. As a matter of fact we did!
We had to take the satellite phone out to the middle of the lake to even get a signal. While “Old virgin portage-shocked man farting with wolves” practiced what to say ($3.00 a minute) I maneuvered canoe until a signal was found. He dialed the outfitter and BAM – VOICE MAIL! He left the message, repeating our group name, date of pickup change, place of pickup change, and time expected to be at takeout three times. He hung up, we handed the satellite phone back to the Boy Scout troop (adult contact, Peter) offered them some money for the use of the phone, and they refused to take it, saying they knew we would do the same if the shoe was on the other foot. YES WE WOULD! Thank you Boy Scout Troop from Kansas City!!
Although we were not comforted by the fact that we had to leave a voice message, not knowing whether the outfitter received an actual message or just static.
A joke was made that we used a sat phone and passed Benadryl – that a drug deal was just made….
We paddled out of the mouth of the river into Lake Agnes and stopped at a sandy beach area so two canoes could put together the catamaran and paddle back up to cross the large lake (to help the solo guy out).
Video - Tying up two canoes to catamaran across Lake Agnes
Paddling on, we made the day a short day, heading on in to Lake Agnes back to that campsite we had eaten lunch at the day prior. Best day so far! We all snacked a bit for lunch, set up camp and relaxed and really enjoyed the day. We had spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner. The group agreed this was the best meal so far (laughingly, I think we were all delirious from exhaustion and the blood sucking mosquitoes – brain fluid was a bit lacking).
We again all agreed that at this point we had made the right decision to turnaround. OH, and guess what? Our water filter pump started working. REALLY? If that isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is.
"Young virgin boy with many knives chopping wood" doin' some whittlin'
"Crazy portage man dances in canoe" and "Young virgin boy with many knives chopping wood" creating a utensil set - We left them at the campsite for the next visitors!
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