June 4th

Today I loaded Debbie’s bright orange kayak in the van and headed out to the lake. I wanted to go to the free store to look for a sun dress, mason jars and a bit of lumber to raise the bed in the van so I said goodbye to Deb and headed out with a map in one hand and lunch in the other.

Even with the map, the roads are narrow and winding. The trees huge the shoulders and most things are hidden behind them. I was glad to see a young lady woman hitching a ride. I picked her up. Her name was/is Sarah and she was heading to work. It was hot and she appreciated the ride. I enjoyed her company and could be assured of not getting lost. We went by way of Squirrel Bay where she picked up a few things at the store and got us both ice cream bars. I must have “feed me ice cream,” tattooed on my forehead because she didn’t even have to ask.

After that we stopped at the free store. It is a great idea that reminds me of the ‘dump’ store in Fenlon Falls. People bring their recycleables and it is all displayed once a week. Volunteers help organize the stuff and everything is free for the taking. What a great idea. I wish more communites would consider such a move. There was everything there from clothing to lawn mowers, bikes and appliances. I found mason jars but didn’t find the wood or dress I would have liked. Oh well, next time.

I dropped Sarah off and was sad to see her go. She pointed me int the right direction and I found the launch point for the kayak. It was very hot so I soaked my hat and a long sleeved shirt and headed out on the lake. It was a perfect day for paddling and just drifting on the breeze. I saw 2 bald eagles and used the binoculars that Bob gave me. I thought a long time about this place. It is the type of place where people leave their canoes and row boats at a cut in the road along the side of the lake and just know that they will be there when they are needed, where people can hitch to work or the beach and not worry about getting there. It is a place where you can sit on a bench to get internet service and everyone talks to you as they pass. It would be a nice place to live. I am cautioned that not every day looks like today. It rains a lot in the winter. It seems to me though that living here is a life style, an attitude more than a location. It would be a nice place to wake up every morning.

It has been good to find some internet service but I am not really missing it. Not having it is giving me time to do other things. I have dragged out the sketch pad and carving knives and now I am wishing that I had picked up some of that drift wood on Rebecca Spit. Tomorrow I hope to just chill out…or rebuild the van. Which ever works out.

I have noticed that when I post more than one blog entry a day, they come in a clump in the mailing. Sorry about that. I tend to write too much at a time and when there are 3 days in a row…it looks like a lot. Well, when I am at Freefall writing, I will not write for the blog at all…so you can catch up.

I am on my way home to sit in the shade and maybe put all of my stuff back in the van. Talk soon.