Roughing it! #58

There is absolutely nothing like getting away from the daily grind and spending some time clearing the mind so you can recharge your batteries and move on to what the next day brings. In order to do that, some curl up and read a good book and some travel and take in the sites. And then there are those of us who are “hard core.” Now, when I say that, I mean there is a group out there that really enjoys taking time off to new heights. Camping or tenting in a place with hot and cold running water and facilities is great, but there is also the beauty and serenity of tenting out next to a secluded pond or lake and as I call it “ Roughing it.”

So, when TC and I decided that we wanted to do some late evening, early morning fishing, and not wanting to drive back and forth, we made a decision to tent out. Now, TC took charge of the planning and preparation and I was charged with loading and driving. If you know me, you can understand why I was not part of the preparation. See, TC tells me that I always pack more than I need, and to some extent, that is true and I am guilty as charged. My defense is that I just don’t want to be caught short. But given the space requirements on a vehicle, this was a very good move. I just don’t need six pairs of sox for an overnight, and so on.

We decided that we would stay at the Peaked Mountain Pond campsite in the North Maine Woods. We have found that they do an awesome job of keeping their sites clean and mowed. The packing was completed and the truck was loaded, and at noon on Saturday, we departed for our destination. We had not stayed overnight in a tent in the North Maine Woods before, but we were really looking forward to it. As we passed through the six mile checkpoint and paid our camping fee of a whopping $10.00 each, we had to laugh when Ed, at the gate, commented that he had finally been able to drag some cash out of TC and I. See, we purchase our annual gate pass each year which entitles us to unlimited access to the woods, and not have to pay each time we go through the gate.  Once on the road again, we made our way up the dirt road to our final destination. When we arrived, and although the pond looked great, we decided to set up our tent first which we did. We looked at the camp sites there and settled on one nestled in the woods next to the pond. The site had a picnic table and a fire pit ring which we knew we would use later on. So, now, the tent was up and we made a command decision to eat first and then hit the pond and stay there until dark. Once again, that TC planning came through with flying colors as she had already prepared the meal, which only required us to reheat it on the Coleman stove.  There is just something about food cooked in the outdoors that tastes better than if we were dining in. During preparation, we had some company join us. The bugs were out and hovering looking for their meal. I quickly started a little fire in the pit and voilà, the bugs were gone. When we finished and had cleaned up the campsite, we made our way onto the pond. July can be a tough time to fish with the trout heading to the deep holes where the water is much cooler. We did, however catch a few and quickly put them back. Before we knew it, the evening was passing and the light was fading and we made our way to shore. As we settled down for the night, the quiet was just what the doctor had ordered. The only thing we heard was the loon on the pond and the water gently hitting the shore. It was not long before TC and I were fast asleep. Now, at one point during the night, I woke up, and when I did, I could hear the sound of something walking around our campsite. I listened as it got closer to our tent where it came to a stop. That was the last thing I heard before I woke with the sun coming up. As I rose, I could hear our friend, the loon greeting us with his call. I climbed out of the tent, with TC still fast asleep and fired up the Coleman and the coffee pot. I looked at the pond which was just like a mirror. Shortly, TC rose and we ate our breakfast. We both commented on how rested we felt and what a good night’s sleep we had. Before we headed out to fish, we decided to break camp and fold up our tent. Once we cleaned up the campsite, we got in the canoe and paddled out to the spot where we had caught some fish the night before. As I was paddling out, I thought about how it would be nice if we could see a loon either take off or land. If you have not seen this before, you are in for a real treat. They are nothing like a normal bird. Well, once we came to the spot where we wanted to fish, I dropped the anchor and away we went. It wasn’t long before I heard this big commotion and looked down the pond to where I saw a loon taking off. That loon did exactly what I wanted it to do. It got up in the air, traveled the length of the pond, made a circle and went back down the pond at a very low altitude. All of a sudden it dropped down to the water. Now, when it came in for a landing, it looked just like a big old sea plane. It landed belly first and skidded to a stop. My wishes had been answered. I had seen the loon attempt to take off and land. It wasn’t long after that when I again heard some commotion and looked down the pond and that loon was at it again. This time, I was ready, I pulled out my trusty camera and got the whole episode on video. That bird took off at a very low altitude, flew past our canoe, made that circle again and headed back down the pond and then dropped in the water again like a seaplane. For those of you that don’t know or have not seen a loon take flight, it takes them a long time to get up in the air. Often times, they make several trips up and down the pond, each time gaining a little altitude until they are up in the air and off. In this case, I think the loon read my mind, and although it had no intentions of leaving, he just wanted to give me a thrill, and grant my wish.

Eventually, we decided that it was time to leave and we came to shore and packed up. The trip had been a success and our batteries were well charged. We decided that we would do it again soon and that we would explore other places to camp. Just for a day, we were free of TV, cell phones and the daily stresses of life.  It was for us a moment to cherish and to thank the landowners for sharing their little piece of the world with us. We are already planning our next trip. Can anyone say “Churchill Dam.”