The reason I took that nasty swim test was so I could go on War Canoe with the boys. So after blogging my way to sleep last night, I slept fitfully, while my head spun with funny things to say on my next post (likely a side effect from the coffee I downed an hour before bed).
Waking just after the boys round 6am, I ran my gear down to the dock (actually I handed my dry bag to Brian and HE ran it down to the dock for me while I brushed my hair and gave this old body another good morning stretch...talk about snap-crackle-pop!). They lined it all out and came back for a quick breakfast before launch time.
I felt rather adventurous and imagined myself to be an indian princess (pale-faced and freckled) as I stood thigh-deep in the tide, holding the canoe steady while my braves loaded our war gear. I asked for war paint, but this is boy scout camp, nobody brought any make up...duh mom). My lower jaw was shivering like a pair of wind-up dentures, but I took it well. I simply tried not to talk much because all my words were coming out in 5 and 6 syllables with the clammer of my teeth.
In a sincere effort not to get the benches wet (NOT), we sloshed over the side and sploshed into our seats. I suggested we all put our lips to the canoe floor and suck up all that extra water before we sink...but again, nobody took me on). Justin was our launch man and it was an incredible sight to behold him running in slow motion, pushing our canoe deep into the waves and then take a flying leap into the bow to take his position as point man.
SPL Matt took charge of the rudder, and we circled around to join the other canoes, while everyone yelled how-to instructions until he finally boomed, "Just keep rowing! I've done this before!" We stealthily sped through the ocean deep, waves licking the sides, a beautiful trail behind us...perfectly synced oars slicing thru the deep to the rhythm of my ancient sea-chant, "Stroke..Stroke... Heart Attack...Stroke! Broken Leg... Hypothermia... Stroke ...Stroke!" Finally Zach broke our trance-like state with, "MOM!! That's really irritating, just stick to the Stroke!"
With our hero Jordan coaching the boys, we wove a windy path thru the treacherous waters and fish-tailed our way to the other side of the island. We narrowly avoided the jutting boulders and played bumper cars with a few other canoes along the route, but no real damage was done. Well done, Mighty Braves!
All this and more is documented in pictures...but upon landing I lost my balance and went neck deep under water, phone and all...and now it won't take a charge. So I'll keep blogging as I get time on the staff computers, but hopefully Brian will be able to keep up with pictures for me. All for now! d
Ok...a story is told of this freckled, pale-faced indian princess many moons ago, Young Red Stripes
