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A prison of our own making

Riding the camp launch in the rain.

On our third visit to Umbagog Lake we decided to take the camp launch, instead of bringing the canoe and rowboat.  Before this time out, every trip had been made under our own power.  With the expansion in gear and people and the fact that we had reserved site R18 on the Maine side of the lake which was much further from the base than our previous trips, we decided to try hiring transportation.

It was both a great, and horrible, idea.

The weather had been grey for a few days leading up to the trip, but upon arrival, and more importantly, after the launch had left, it started raining.   Fortunately we had already set up the tents and the tarp was over the tables and gear.  We got everything set, and settled into our seats.

It rained for the next two days solid.  We huddled under the dining area tarp eating, drinking and waiting.  We didn't hike; we didn't fish; we didn't do anything really.  It was too dark to read, even.  After the first night we realized that we were trapped in our own little prison; a prison we came to call Stalag 18.

Two full days, Friday noon til Sunday noon, we spent frozen and wet.  We had plenty of food and scotch (and beer), but it was an incredibly long weekend.  We did nothing, but it was exhausting just keeping warm.

After two full days we had a 30 minute break in the rain; just enough time to pack up camp as the launch arrived to pick us up.  We loaded the lauch, and jumped on board for the trip out of prison.  It was around 40 degrees out and the launch was moving at its top speed, so I wrapped my towel around my head in an attempt to keep warm and Joe grabbed that picture of me riding on the launch returning to base.

It was a memorable weekend; although not our most dangerous to date.