LandWorks Ex 4 Downeast Lakes Canoe Trip Journal.pdf - Maine.gov

Carl brought Crazy Creek camp chairs for the other three. I brought a three‐legged camp stool,
which is far less comfortable. It’s thanks to that discomfort that I pulled myself away to finish
this journal entry.
I’m realizing the sound of waves lapping the rocky lake shore is just as mesmerizing as ocean
surf. I’m listening to the waves now as I write this in my tent, but also to the sound of a jet
which Carl says is probably New York to London. From our island we can see only a single
electric light on the far‐distant shore.
July 27
Today was island hopping in West Grand Lake. From Marks Island we headed a mile south to
Columbus Island, a high, rock isle where Carl and I both remember camping. Two Grand Laker
guide canoes were pulling away just as we approached. After some friendly waving, we had the
island to ourselves. Columbus is a spectacular place of massive glacial rocks offering great
swimming and views. Not farfrom our landing place was a busy eagle nest, with a young bird
learning to fly. Phil found a large fresh eagle feather, and Bob later found another. They
wandered off watching the eagles and Carl and I headed west to the end of the island. There, a
tractor‐trailer‐size slab of rock formed a natural ramp down into clear water, with sides
dropping straight down 15 or 20 feet. The water was clear enough to see all the way to the
bottom. I took off my clothes, waded down the ramp to hip‐deep, and then dove into deeper
water off the side. Carl followed, chasing barefoot down the rock ramp and then launching
himself out into deeper water. We briefly rejoined Bob and Phil, but Carl and I headed east to
explore the other end of the small evergreen‐covered rock island. There we found a trove of
small, wild blueberries. It was all you can eat. Carl bragged that he grabbed a cluster of 7
berries at once. I reached out and got 9. There contest was on, but we decided to leave it when
we were tied at 11, and pretty sated on blueberries.
Now we shoved off and headed northeast just under 2 miles to Hardwood Island and another
campsite. We found the site, but it was a bit depressing with clumps of toilet paper scattered
around everywhere.
From there it was almost straight south to Kole Kill Island, where Carl had camped with a group
of kids he brought from a Cape Cod camp in 1970. Kole Kill is a tall lump of a tiny island just off
the southern shore between Big Mayberry Cove and Little Mayberry Cove. It’s private now, and
on top was a big platform‐deck of Trex boards. Killer view. Carl told a story of how he scared his
campers with a prank and then we pushed on to the camp ground at Little Mayberry Cove.
Big camp site, with openings in woods but very uneven ground.Hard to find a tent site, so tents
far apart. With tarp over picnic table, we had lunch of freeze dried tuna salad and tortillas,
apple, orange, Gator Aid, salami and peanut butter at 5 p.m. Carl suggested we could paddle