Thursday, February 08, 2007

When good people eat bad mushroom
Yesterday, I put the Romany on the Blazer and went over to Bradford Beach (which is on Lake Michigan...but I digress). Air temp was around 72F and the water probably 65F. There was a light, warm wind blowing off shore, so the beach launch was easy enough.
After paddling up the shore for about 5 miles and returning, I used the remaining time to work on braces and rolls. I hit my first attempt at a hand roll, and that was on my "off" side. I was so into it that I failed to notice the videography team on shore taping my every move. As I was to learn later, they were gathering footage for This Is The Lake, a DVD that will premiere at Canoecopia this spring (Derrick is already working on the cover).
Did I mention that, during the 10 mile paddle, I bumped into some other paddlers and helped them out? Lucky for them. I came upon JB only to discover all his hatch covers were loose (I fixed them). I helped Alex off the lake to a safe landing site. Poor fellow was exhausted from trying to learn how to do his first roll. I told him to get some rest and call me in the morning.
I most surprised when I came upon Michael, he of Canadian fame. He was way over dressed and on the verge of heat exhaustion. I splashed him with water and removed the tire iron he had stored under his compass. He was grateful, as were they all.
I didn't actually see Sam, but I did find an empty bottle of Irish Whiskey with a note in it that read, "Ireland or bust." It was signed by Sam and Pat E. O'furniture.
A lucky thing for Greg that I found him when I did. He was doing sea trials on a boat he had built out of old barrel staves, and the thing was leaking like mad.
Coming ashore, I was swarmed by a group of gals who said they all worked at some place called Hooters and, after having watched me, wanted to know if they could buy me lunch. Lucky I still had on my PFD as things were getting pretty deep by then. I declined politely. Still, they insisted on carrying my boat and putting it up on the car while two others insisted on giving me a back rub. Hey, I didn't want to be rude.
******
This morning, 36 hours after eating those funny mushrooms Lady Linda had prepared for supper, the temp had dropped to 15F and, some how, the harbor had frozen over. I won't be able to paddle today so I plan to use the time to try and find some more of those mushrooms.
Paddle safe...
DS

7 comments:

JohnB said...

I wonder how those mushrooms would be in cream of mushroom soup--I love cream of mushroom soup. And, pizza with lots of those mushrooms; and a cheeseburger loaded with mushrooms and blue cheese! How about some stuffed mushrooms to go with our Irish Whisky?

Suppose we could do a mushroom quiche, with bacon of course! Even though we're real men, we do eat quiche!!!

Congrats on hitting that left side hand-roll! Way to GO!!!

I admire your will power--I'd gone to lunch with the Hooters girls, and then had a back rub!!!

Thanks for sharing your adventures with us. . .

Alex said...

lol, rolling is hard! boy was i tired of wet exiting. I kept pulling down as hard as i could on the paddle and tried to drive the boat up with my head but nothing seemed to work! people who can roll must be EXPERTS! :)

Silbs said...

You're welcome, Alex, I am here to serve. JB, your menu is a cardiologist's nightmare...but good for business.

JohnB said...

Another reason for you to stay around these parts--it's nice to have you as a friend, you being a cardiologist is a bonus!

Michael said...

I can't believe you don't carry a tire iron too! Don't you ever get flats with your Freya trolley? LOL Great post - just the thing for a windy, cold winter's day!Oh, and I'll take a couple of boxes of those mushrooms when you locate them...

Greg Fojtik said...

Okay, the kayak made of old barrel staves didn't work out so well. Never mind... The next one will be made of rolled up newspapers. It just might fly through your next mid-winter's dream.

Silbs said...

Okay, all you guys are invited to my house for mushrooms and Irish Whiskey. Please bring a clean glass.