Day 126, June 1, Kayaking Voyageurs

 Tuesday continued to prove wet and dreary, the lake continued to rise.

But Wednesday dawned gloriously bright and sunny. Finally.

And we are not in a Canadian prison. Miraculously. 

Kasper apologized for being unwell and quarantined for the last few days. But I thanked him for picking a great time for it as the weather was too rough to venture out anyway.  By the time he finally felt well enough to arise from his sick bed today and shower, it was past noon. And while we’d hoped to kayak some on Lake Kabetogama, the breeze proved too strong for an enjoyable paddle. Instead, we took a slow bike ride through the forest along the bloated lake and visited the last of three visitors centers. 

Three amazing things:

#1- The power of water. Strategically placed sandbags here have had little impact on the unstoppable relentless swelling of the lakes of the Kabetogama Peninsula. It’s quite heartbreaking to see homes and businesses threatened. 

#2- The magic of the human body. I am continually thrilled as I watch a wound heal or a potentially lethal virus give sway to an immune response. I know enough of death from years of nursing the dying to have no illusions about mortality. Still, recovery fascinates me. Glad to have you back amongst the healthy living, Kasper.

#3- The number of bugs in this land of water that is northern Minnesota.  They seem outnumbered only by the fishermen. The wind today turned out to be a blessing as it is the best defense against the biting hoards.  

#4- The accent of a northern Minnesotan.  It’s musical. And it’s hilarious. I couldn’t quit smiling at the Napa Auto guy with whom we had a long conversation; he must have thought me quite the grinning idiot. I thought I was listening to a skit from an episode of Saturday Night Live. 

New word: Boreal as in boreal forests and aurora borealis; of the north or northern regions; relating to or characteristic of the climatic zone south of the Arctic, especially the cold temperate region dominated by forests of birch, poplar, and conifers.

Good deed:  First, I quite pleased the park ranger when I asked if she’d like the Voyageurs paddling book and detailed map I would no longer be needing.  Then at the cinema, we watched an old man load his severely disabled wife into an ancient wheelchair and push her into the theater. We anonymously paid for them but watched clandestinely as they wheeled up to the window to purchase tickets. They were so adorable; they tried to return the good deed by paying for the people behind them…who flatly refused. What sweet and generous souls some people are. 

As it will be a clear cold night, I shall set my alarm for 0300 in hopes of catching some aurora borealis in our northern skies. And then it’s off to St Paul to catch a flight to Aaron’s grandsons high school graduation in eastern Oregon.