The motivation came to me that it is just about time to replace my tent. The only way I can stretch out in it is to lay diagonal. Even then it feels like my feet and head are bushing against the tent walls. After a night of tossing and turning and some weird dreams induced from sleeping on a lumpy patch of earth I woke up at my leisure.
With no plan, no idea, and nothing better to do, and generally no clue I did the best thing possible. I ate breakfast. On my camp stove I put a wad of butter in a pot and cooked the chicken legs I picked up when I went for supplies. It took a while and I managed to get through another chapter while the legs turned a golden crispy brown. When I removed them from the pot they sparkled in the morning sunlight with all their fattening buttery goodness.
I broke camp around noon which took no time at all. The most difficult decision came when a choice had to be made concerning the excess wood I had in the truck. The previous night I managed to burn 2 of the 5 boxes of wood. Taking extra wood home seems like a waste and I often hate burning wood just for the sake of burning it. The wood was kiln dried, nicely boxed, I thought about offering it to someone for a couple dollars. The idea, for lack of a better word, weirded me out.
The neighbors had a large campsite and appeared to be a family on vacation. The previous night I saw them trying to chop up some logs and stick that they collected. They stuck me as good a place as any to give the wood to. It turns out they were from lower Michigan camping as a family. They were very grateful for the wood and the lady there said “God Bless You” twice, once when I offered and again when I returned to the site with the wood. The first time she said it I dismissed it as a common thank you, sort of like how people ask “How was your day” and then don’t wait for an answer. But the second time she said it I really started to think about the encounter. It wasn’t until I walked away that I wish I had thought to respond something like “Yes, God does bless and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is a great blessing indeed”. I must be my character, quick to listen and slow to speak, some times. It wasn’t that I was ashamed to say something but I don’t understand why the reply came to mind well after the situation was over.
Well, packed up, and in the truck I made my way through the South Boundary Road to Presque Isle. I kept a close eye on the road because it might be a nice one to Mountain Bike across. It was a nice day for a drive and there was no traffic on the road. I drove along with the windows down listening to Paul Van Dyke “Nothing But You”.
I took two detours on my way home. One was a hike up to Summit Peak. The view was spectacular and there insects were extremely mild. The breeze was blowing and the sky was clear. The second stop was at the mouth of Presque Isle.
By the time I got back to down it was still early in the afternoon so I drove back out to Lake Superior and spent the afternoon with my parents and sisters at the beach. The water was very nice and I did some snorkeling.
One of the nicest Mondays I have had in a long time.