Chapter Five

We set up camp and settled into our new home for the night. Rangers have made a square camp out of logs for sitting and there is a grate over a fire ring to use for cooking as well as campfires. There is a trail that leads to the latrine, which is like an outhouse without the house. We brought two small tents and put them on opposite sides of the camp, Grandpa snores. Since both of us had arms in need of rest we both went for a nap. You didn't really fall asleep, more like rested your eyes as the sound of the water relaxed you.
According to Grandpa's watch, it was after five by the time we both emerged from our tents. He had already gathered some firewood for tonight and broken out his 2 burner propane camping stove. Something looked to be already heating up.
"What's for dinner?" I asked, rubbing my eyes and finding a place to sit on a log. We had a lot of freeze-dried meals that you just add hot water to for there is no refrigeration out here. "Beef stroganoff, if that works. Jordi, can you take the pump and jug and fill the water?" As he pointed towards the folded plastic piece. "Just put it right into the lake, it has a filter. We can also boil the water or add tablets but the pump has worked out fine in the past." I sat on a rock pumping away, it was simple but tedious. It took a while and I thought maybe I'll just pump directly into my cup to save time. Dinner was a lot better than I thought it would be. I had low hopes for a meal that came in a pouch, but it hit the spot. It could be that I was hungry enough to eat anything, but I'm not complaining. After dinner and all the washing was done, we decided to explore the lake and just paddle leisurely around. It was getting into the evening and the loons were active on the lake. They are kind of like a duck if you're not familiar, and have a call that echoes beautifully around the lake. They dive down for fish and small aquatic life and rarely ever leave the water.
Hugging the shoreline as we paddled around, it's now much easier, and dare I say enjoyable without all the heavy packs. We saw some other paddlers on the far side of the lake but never got close enough for communications. People prefer to keep to themselves.
Grandpa had brought his fishing gear along as he found a spot to cast. At first, I was quite content to sit as we just drifted and I closed my eyes just listening to the sounds of the wind and water.
"You seem a whole lot less anxious and jittery out here. Usually, you are on edge checking your phone every two seconds jumping at every sound it makes. Not going to hear any of that out here. Might hear a pack of wolves howl tonight or the screech of an eagle in the morning." He calmly spoke and patiently waited for bites on his line.
"That's the first time I even thought about my phone today, that's got to be a record for me," I whispered talked not wanting to disturb the fish. I think he was just wanting to be out on the water for he didn't seem too concerned by his line.
Upon returning to camp I put on some warmer clothes and then helped to get a campfire for it was getting quite dark now. Without the lights of any cities, making a campfire wasn't just for warmth. Grandpa put on some water on the grate to boil to use for hot chocolate. The sunset danced in the sky for only so long and vanished all too quickly. The wind was cold and strong so it helped to keep the bugs at bay, which so far haven't been too bad. We strung the food pack up a tree to keep bears away from it. You have to put toothpaste or anything else that might draw their curiosity up there too, I feel like I should be included in that.
He broke out some cards and we made basic conversation while playing various card games. Taking advantage of the clear skies we were planning to stay up to stargaze tonight, and so we were just passing time.
We put out the fire so we could see the night sky as clearly as possible. I grabbed a blanket and we went down by the water for the least obstruction. We lay on the ground with our feet facing camp and our heads looking skyward. I've never seen stars like this in my whole life. It was as if we were looking into the soul of the universe. The layers of stars were so dense and almost overwhelming. I now understand how they could navigate ships across oceans just by the stars, I can only imagine how they looked in ancient times.
The majesty of the skyline and its power captivated me and I could lie here until morning not moving a muscle and being content. The stars were made into Gods in the past and I too wanted to worship their glory as I felt insignificant in the vastness.
My Grandpa would point out constellations and you'd see satellites occasionally drifting silently across. "So you survived your first day. Thanks for coming, I'm glad I get to share this with you." He said softly "Thanks, Grandpa, I'm glad I came," I said sincerely. As we lay there it dawned on me I hadn't even thought about all my troubles from before. It wasn't until I was in my tent rolling side to side in my sleeping bag that they found their way back into my thoughts. You can't ever escape your mind, even in the middle of a forest.