Day 16

5June2008

Woke up dreaming of sunshine and got our wish just after we began our morning portage. Glorious! The rail trail snakes its way alongside the river through some amazing Vermont scenery - green fields, farms, pastures - a very pleasant and scenic route.

Unfortunately, our little portage cart hit a bit of a rough spot today - due to low air pressure the wheels came off the frames. We like to think that it was due to our excessive portage speeds...continued on to the put in like a regular carry. We shall add the cart to our list of "to-do's" in town.

The current on this upper section is moving along much more swiftly from the North Sheldon Bridge to Enosburg Falls. It was some hard paddling in spots - especially around the bends where the river narrows and picks up its pace. We managed the seven miles to town and took out below the dam (sure are a lot of those around these days...) and portaged through town to the other side.

We set up camp right at the put in on private property at a place known as Lawyers Landing. Met Kim, the owner, who hooked us up with showers, cold drinks, and water - what generous hospitality! Tomorrow shall be a day of re-supply, repair, and rest.

Weather: sunny! 70's - although we heard a rumor that there are some high temps and thunderstorms on the way over the next few days...

Wildlife: more beaver, swallows (they flew out right over us from little nests in the side of the river banks!)

The Quitter ~ by Robert Service

When you're lost in the Wild, and you're scared as a child,

And Death looks you bang in the eye,

And you're sore as a boil, it’s according to Hoyle

To cock your revolver and . . . die.

But the Code of a Man says: "Fight all you can,"

And self-dissolution is barred.

In hunger and woe, oh, it’s easy to blow . . .

It’s the hell-served-for-breakfast that’s hard.
"You're sick of the game!" Well, now that’s a shame.

You're young and you're brave and you're bright.

"You've had a raw deal!" I know — but don't squeal,

Buck up, do your damnedest, and fight.

It’s the plugging away that will win you the day,

So don't be a piker, old pard!

Just draw on your grit, it’s so easy to quit.

It’s the keeping-your chin-up that’s hard.
It’s easy to cry that you're beaten — and die;

It’s easy to crawfish and crawl;

But to fight and to fight when hope’s out of sight —

Why that’s the best game of them all!

And though you come out of each gruelling bout,

All broken and battered and scarred,

Just have one more try — it’s dead easy to die,

It’s the keeping-on-living that’s hard.