July, 3rd 2016
Valcour Island State Park, Plattsburgh, NY
Here I am on Valcour Island. I’m running as fast as I can along the rocky shoreline trying not to slip and kill myself. Meanwhile, my hot dinner has been left on the picnic table along with everything I own as I am running as fast as I can from it.
While yesterday began rough and ended well, today began well and ended, well, well. After having breakfast with my new friends, I said good-bye and shoved off paddling south on Champlain toward Plattsburgh, NY. The wind was moderate with partially cloudy skies and some mixed chop on the surface mostly due to boat traffic. Nothing I haven’t handled before so it was relaxing paddle and I was able to stay away from the shore today so I could cover more miles than I did the day before as I hugged the shoreline.
It was a rather lonely day on the water, though I did speak to two sailors. One on the VHF and the other who had sailed up next to me to make sure I was OK since Kayakers are not usually seen this far off shore on this lake. I appreciated the gesture even though I was OK.
I stopped for a break at Point Au Roche though my arms were fine; it was my legs that needed a stretch. After looking at the map I began to start contemplating my options for where I’d be stopping. I either needed to get to shore or hit one of the islands ahead of me. The weather was too nice to give up miles for lakeshore so I made tracks for one of two islands ahead.
Rounding Cumberland Head I decided I’d head for the bigger of the two islands which was also the one furthest from me on this day. Soon after making that decision, the wind began to kick up and the surf got much bigger. I started second guessing myself until I checked the time and I had plenty of it to spare so the big island of Valcour it was.
From a distance I could see boats anchored in two distinct areas off the Eastern shore of the island. Both seemed to be anchored in protected water so I wasn’t sure which to head toward, then I saw a campfire in the one on the right so I headed for that one. Upon reaching shore I found a large group camping together sitting around a campfire while others were swimming around the power boats anchored right off shore. The sailboats I had originally seen were a bit farther away from shore. Upon walking up to the group at the campfire, I told them that I received their message; Camping is good here, come join us. They looked at me funny so I pointed to the smoking fire and said: Smoke Signals. I barely got a chuckle out of them. I began looking around scoping out a potential campsite. Finding a set of trees to string my hammock about 50’ away from their set up, I asked if it would be OK to set up a tent there. The woman told me there is a vacant site a little ways down the beach. I took that as a no, got back in the kayak and headed for the vacant site.
I was just getting set up when I heard a man whistling along the trail that ran behind the campsites. As he came into view I asked him if he’s practicing birdcalls or if he lost a dog. Lost our dog, he replied. I inquired about the details and he explained that it was a Chihuahua named Harbor and had run away last night when they set off fireworks. Have I mentioned I hate fireworks? It is for that very reason and they don’t just affect dogs, but rather all animals. I recalled the couple of times Lexie had gone missing on me and how distraught I was. A mixture of anger and grief; Anger because I let her get lost and grief because she was lost. Twice that happened to me when Lexie was just a pup. After the second time, she never went exploring without keeping me in sight and I as well. I knew exactly what this dog owner was feeling and it was an awful feeling.
It had been about an hour since I saw that man. I had finish setting up camp and was cooking up a hot dinner. I was thinking to myself how I must have picked the wrong place to camp. I’m alone, my neighbors are not too friendly and there is sadness on the island as a little dog is missing. It’s a big island too and there is a good chance the dog won’t be found and the family will have to leave without it tomorrow. Then I began to think to myself. Perhaps there is purpose for me being shunned away from the other site and sitting here alone. Perhaps, but I know better. Just eat, sleep and get out of here in the AM.
I was facing away from the water looking at the hill in front of me when a little white and black Chihuahua came over the crest and running down toward me. I grabbed some food and began calling Harbor’s name to get him to come to me, but he didn’t. He ran toward the water and then tried to run up on the rocks. I took off after him and he changed directions and ran from me. I was in hot pursuit running on these slippery rocks thinking that if I slip, my trip is over and I’ll have to be hauled out of here by the Coast Guard, but I can’t let this little dog out of my sight. I must get him. Others spotted him as I ran and they too joined in the chase.
I didn’t catch that little dog, but I did chase him right back to his owners arms where he jumped in them and curled up tight, holding onto her like he was saying, Don’t ever let me go. The people were so thankful, though I don’t know if I actually did anything other than chase this 8-month-old pup in the right direction. I really didn’t know where they were camped; I just wasn’t going to let it get away. Now I had made some friends on the island too so perhaps Harbor helped me too.
Back at camp, I finished up my dinner, then washed my clothes and me in the lake and hung the clothes up to dry while I went for a run in the woods to both dry off and try to keep my legs in shape. I am concerned that sitting like this all day could cause problems so any chance I have to exercise them I will and yes, this is after running after Harbor.
Sunset was upon us so I headed back, put some warmer clothing on and then went to see me new friends. Along the way, I spotted a boat in the water and its owner trying to take a picture of it in the sunset. I had the better angle so I shot a picture of him and his boat against a beautiful sunset. I walked up to them and introduced myself and offered him the picture. His girlfriend introduced me to AirDrop on my new iPhone and I shared the picture with them and then headed on down the beach for some socializing.
Arrived back at camp again just after dark so I crawled into my hammock and drifted off to sleep.
Day two complete!
Love it larry . You were there for a reason. I truly believe it.