Paddles, Pedals, and Puddles

For the last few years, we have hosted a gathering of Onondaga Ski Club members and others up at my folks’ camp on Fourth Lake for the annual Paddlefest put on by the local outfitter. This year was no different, except it got off to an auspicious beginning when we were called the night before heading up by the local person we had asked to turn on the power and water in anticipation of our arrival. No water. Oh, the lake was full and all, but there was a problem with the camp’s water supply. Thursday night we were told there would not be any pumped water, no way. No showers… no toilets… no cooking water… nothing.

I called all our participants and explained our dilemma. “No problem” was the response, so it was a go anyway. A little “camping conditions” didn’t deter anyone. I did ask all to bring up some bottled water for drinking, cooking and minor personal needs. What the heck, I knew there were enough trees around so the boys could have some, and the girls could have their own…. and there was always the lake for “bathing”.

Friday was overcast at the get-go leaving home, but held steady all day (and into the night too). When Marilyn and I arrived at the camp in Eagle Bay, it was quiet and empty. I unlocked the door, went in and flicked on the lights… only there weren’t any lights. This was not good. No water, no power, no cooking, no heat, no good! I really began to wonder if this was going to be one of those fiasco’s you hear about now and then.

I went around to where the incoming power box and well pump are located; found the door open, and some tools here and there. No power here either, but checking the power box out and shutting off some of the breakers for the pump, hot water heater and such, I switched on the main. “Lights, camera, action”. At least we would have lights and heat.

A short time later the owner of the tools came back and spent the next hour or two hooking up all the water side appliances. With a “You’re all set. Give us a call if something doesn’t work.” he picked up his tools and left. Water, water everywhere, and we had water to drink…. or at least to shower and flush. Since the system was just getting started after sitting all winter, we were going to go with bottled water for consumption.

But, enough about the start up problems. Soon our guest started to arrive; Sandy and Marv, Joan and Terry, Debbie and Ken, Cathie, Mary, and Remo. We all ended up on the dock sitting in the sun sipping our beverage of choice. While we were enjoying the afternoon, one of our fellow club members was trying to keep his cadence up enough to pedal his bike from Syracuse to Eagle Bay. Doug Ahslen started at eight AM, and was still on the road. I had asked the others to keep an eye out for him as they drove up, and to offer assistance or whatever if needed. Doug was going to do it the whole distance, hell or high water. I had talked to him via his cell phone earlier to let him know that the road from Old Forge to Eagle bay was broken up and it would be better/safer for him to take the South Shore Road out of Old Forge, an additional 4 – 5 miles.

Food was on the agenda, and pizza/wings were the winners. Off went Marv, Terry and Remo to secure such in Inlet while I decided to drive back towards Old Forge via the South Shore Road to make sure Doug was OK. About 8 miles into my journey, I spotted a lone cyclist wearing a bright yellow jacket with one of the Club’s “Team Hammer” racing bibs tacked to his Camelback pack. Doug was doing fine, and was charged up to finish. I drove back to camp just before the arrival of the pizza. Doug had been spotted by our “delivery’ crew, and soon he was in the driveway. We all went out to congratulate our “iron man”, on his 113 mile, ELEVEN hour ride. We then all retired inside to wolf down the food, and get ready for the next day. Doug seemed a little disappointed that his ride took so long, but then remembered how many phone calls he got during the trip from people wondering if he was ok. He had to stop to answer the phone!

It was still quite windy the next morning. Whitecaps were the order on the water. Some of us went down early to Old Forge for breakfast, then on to the ‘fest. Considering how windy it was, there were quite a few people out on the water trying out all the boats. Having the ‘fest at this end of the lake this year proved to be a good thing… even though it was windy, it was an off shore breeze which never got a chance to stir up the water. Inlet at the other end of the lake had considerable wave action plus the wind.

When Marilyn and I walked about, we spotted a Marv and Sandy standing next to a Passat that had two new kayaks on it. Yep, they took the plunge, the whole enchilada. Other members of our group were seen looking at this and that, tasting the food, and trying to stay warm in the rather cool wind.

The mini-seminars involving rescue techniques and the physics of the boats were very interesting and valuable information. As time went on, it seemed the wind got stronger/colder, and it was beginning to rain horizontally. This did not deter our group from trying out boats. Ken was trying out some 17-18 footers, and Marcia (who just arrived) was outfitted with a PFD and spent some time paddling and freezing in these really tough conditions. It finally got too tough for even these diehards, so we all returned to the camp. Some of the group including Doug-Iron-Legs decided to climb Rocky Point later one when it looked like the rain was letting up a bit. Later we all gathered for wine, finger food, games and conversation. In due time, we prepared our dish-to-pass meal which was the real reason we all went up to Paddlefest. Salads, lasagna, chicken, home made breads, desserts, oh my, we did eat! Any calories burned during the day were replenished, maybe even more!

Terry played the piano for us and Debbie really got into the ‘player piano’ rolls, so we had music for a lot of the evening! The ‘games’ table was busy too. Some players really got into it too.

When we woke up on Sunday expecting more nasty weather, we found the lake to be completely still.

Quick, everyone, in the boats! Sandy, Marv, and M&M took a short paddle south from the camp, investigating a wonderful little inlet along the way which led to a small waterfall. We headed back to camp for a ‘break’ and upon our return we spotted Terry in his canoe and Marcia in Terry’s kayak just heading out across the lake so that Terry could scope out a place he remembered from his youth, so of course we tagged along. Debbie and Ken went to Inlet and 5^th Lake in their canoe. Soon thereafter, the wind picked up, changed direction, stirred up the lake so we ‘high-tailed’ it back to camp just in time-Debbie and Ken arrived later, no so dry. Doug? Can you believe he went on a short (30 mile!) ride to get the kinks out?!

Everyone owes a big THANKS to Debbie for putting on a great breakfast this morning, too. She took this and that, did her magic and had everyone satiated and smiling.

It was evident the day wasn’t going to get any better, so paddlers and bikers alike packed in it and got ready to go back to Syracuse. Remo gave Doug a lift to Syracuse and I hear tell they went through hail, wind, rain – good thing Doug decided not to bike home!

We all had a great time, weather didn’t seem to bother anyone, but we sure were grateful for those hot showers!

M&M bid everyone farewell, tied up loose ends, had our traditional toast on the dock and started home – it was the hardest part of the whole weekend.

Marilyn & Michael McCabe

P.S. Marcia went back up the next weekend, and came home with brand new lightweight kayak. Way to go, Marcia.