It always takes a while to get into the rhythm of a trip. The rhythm of this trip was confounded by a side trip to Washington. It was also confounded by my picking up a nasty cold on the way. So we had a bit of an uphill battle to settle into this trip. But today we seemed to hit a rhythm on this trip that made this day very enjoyable. The weather was just about perfect. I am on the upswing from my cold. We are a few days beyond a bunch of air travel, which always sets a person on edge.
The day dawned overcast, but with a few breaks in the clouds. I was up early again, not that great of sleep probably due to some of the medication I took to relieve the symptoms of the cold. So I saw the day brighten over the little cove we were moored in.
We then put the kayaks in the water and explored the area. If you ever come to Voyageurs National Park, be sure to take a kayak or canoe or other small boat along. It is the best way to explore as most of this place is only accessible by water. There are a few trails, but hiking is out of the question because of the mosquitoes. I’ve mentioned in prior posts about a certain sameness to this park, and that is true in one sense, however, today it was just the joy of being outside, paddling around in a beautiful setting that was so enjoyable. Yes, it was similar terrain to yesterday, and the day before, but the weather was better today and I was feeling a lot better today and better able to enjoy the journey. The water was smooth, the light breeze felt great, and we just enjoyed a leisurely paddle through the islands and coves.
We had quite a ways to travel back towards Ebel’s so we cast off and motored west. Houseboats don’t travel particularly fast, so there was plenty of time to read, to nap, or to just enjoy the scenery as it slipped slowly by.
We moored at a tiny island that didn’t have a name but was right near the red navigation marker number 26. This was our best spot yet as it was rather open and right on a rocky point, so the mosquitoes were not so numerous and we had a great view of the area to the north, east, and west. We lounged around here for a while, then Deb and I made dinner of American *ugali* (what a missionary friend jokingly called spaghetti). The weather was pleasant enough and the mosquitoes were absent enough to enjoy dinner outside, all crowded around a small folding table. Somehow, spaghetti tastes better when shared with friends in an awesome setting.
At dinnertime we all sang the old hymn This Is My Father’s World. It just seemed appropriate.
This is my Father’s world,
And to my list’ning ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas—
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.
After dinner and clean-up, we had plenty of daylight left, so we launched the kayaks and explored. Deb and I were in the lead initially and entered a narrow passage inside a cove. The map identified it as Blind Indian Narrows and showed additional waterways beyond the entrance we were at. However, the passage, barely three feet wide, was blocked by what appeared to be a small beaver dam and the area beyond appeared to be a large bog. This was confirmed by the clouds of mosquitoes and biting flies that suddenly descended on us. We came out of the Narrows paddling furiously, trying to outrun the hordes.
At one point, an eagle was spotted soaring and then landing on a tree across the water. We paddled slowly toward the eagle, seeing how close we could get. It just looked at us and then became a bit nervous when we were almost directly underneath it. It spread its wings and then launched itself from the branch, swooping downward and then up and we could hear the whoop whoop of its wings beating the air. So cool. This park appears to have a large population of eagles as we have seen them every day. We also spotted a deer, the first large mammal we have seen on this entire trip.
We ended the evening with a dip in the hot tub and then sat by the fire for a bit before turning in for the night.
Gladly would we have camped out on this grand old landscape mill to study its ways and works ... rejoicing in the possession of so blessed a day, and feeling that in very foundational truth we had been in one of God's own temples and had seen Him and heard Him working and preaching like a man.
-John Muir, Travels in Alaska
Thanks, Connie, for that great quote!
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