May 31, 1999
Christine Ziegler: Senior

Well, we made it to Grand Isle State Park today. I paddled in the front of Tom’s newly named canoe “Abby”. The red canoe is a Lincoln, but we couldn’t call it Abe since the vessel needs to have a female name. The waves were a little tricky, but we enjoyed the challenge, and they obviously did not slow Tom and myself; we were out in front of our train of canoes for most of the day. We were trying to catch some waves to surf, but to no avail. We had to go under two low bridges, which I was not fretting over but our intrepid leaders conveyed their fears of nutty motor-boatists out for a joy ride coming through the narrow passage at us. When we had made it through both passages and were a little over half way to our destination Mr. Hooker announced that we would be taking out just ahead, next to a marina, to take a little break - pit stop etc. Collectively, our eyes lit up. There, no more than 100 yards from take out was a Citgo station also proclaiming “Food Mart.” Power-paddling quickly ensued and we soon found ourselves in a deli/general store looking like kids on Christmas morning. I, naturally, began to seek out the freezer. I found my treasure chest and awaiting inside was a huge blue-raspberry Hershey’s freeze pop. I only had my change on me which limited my spending to eighty- five cents. I nervously inquired how much my prize would cost, fearing a “ninety cents” response. I was elated as the quirky red haired boy behind the counter replied “fifty cents.” I beamed with joy, as did every one of my comrades as they found their own treasures. We arrived at camp much sooner than I thought that we would; the second half of today’s paddle was less time consuming thanks to agreeing winds. In sweltering heat we lugged our cargo up to two camp sites. Once again demonstrating our incredible distribution skills, we pitched three tents in one site and seven in the second. After camp was set up and lunch was consumed Emily, Jesse, Matt, Efe, Leigh and I walked down to the beach to swim and wash up with good old Dr. Brawners in the fifty-four degree lake. Matt flounced right in and Em was quick to follow, though shrieking all the way. Efe was next to take the plunge in his yellow Speedo, then Jesse with his bandaged thumb. I stood in the water on slippery rocks and was in up to my waist when then cold halted my progress. Matt was quick to fix that, though, with a shove from behind which sent me sprawling in up to my shoulders. I laughed and pretended to be mad and then thanked him for the help. After our trek back to camp, everyone seemed to lose their energy. People plopped down in the shade or in their tents and were soon slipping into the unconscious realm. Apparently, all the energy that they lost was acquired by me because I was full of momentum and excitement at this point. I decided that I would swing on the set behind our camp site. This consumed about an hour of time and began to tire me out so that I could sit still under the picnic table in the shade and write all this down.