Anchor Struck

In November I posted about our efforts to move a 30-foot log into the pond

so we could use it as a base for a dock.  It was about 50 feet from the shore.

We could only move it if we got a serious rainfall and flooding from the inlet

creek lifted it completely off the ground.

Despite our best efforts and some nifty kayak work by Jude, we couldn’t quite

do it.  We thought we might not get another chance this winter.  If we hadn’t,

we were going to accept a generous offer from good neighbour Chris to winch

it out in the spring.

But Wednesday was the second day of a major storm in which we got 4+ inches

of rain.  The log seemed to be horizontal in the water, so I sloshed over to it

through temporary swamp like this:

The log was indeed floating, so I pushed it out toward the middle of the pond, 

where Jude awaited in a kayak to move it next to another log we’ll be using for 

the dock.  Check out her deft maneuvering:

As soon as I took these pics, I pocketed the camera and squeezed into a kayak

to help Jude.  As I reached to tie the two logs together, I overextended and

tumped the kayak.  When I tried to slide out of it, my legs got stuck, keeping

me underwater.  I panicked.  It took me several seconds to wiggle out. 

When I got back to abundant oxygen, I yelled “Help!”, but immediately knew

I was safe because Jude was right behind me and Nathan was knee deep in the

water about 15 feet away.  Of all my family members, Nathan would be my

first choice to pull me from freezing water.  So at least that part of the venture

worked out well.

I regrouped quickly and secured the logs.  Then Nathan and I took advantage

of the high water line and pulled the remnants of the old dock further inland.

Jude corralled some smaller stray logs on the pond.  My toes were starting to

numb up, so I headed to warmer water — a long hot soak in the tub, complete

with bubble bath and classic rock.

As I was peeling off my chest waders, I remembered that the camera was in the

breast pocket.  It’s toast . . . soggy toast.  Fortunately, the memory card survived.

I dawdled in the tub at least 90 minutes.  As I processed my pond plunge, I de-

cided that I would let it stand as my annual winter mishap.  I doubled down

last winter, as reported here and here.  It’s good to get it out of the way earlier

in the season.  Time constraints, budget limitations and a continuing loss of

limberness were also factored in.   

I also reflected on what family means, and how it helps to recruit top talent for

one.  With the ever-calm Jude and the immensely strong Nathan nearby, I

knew I would be okay.  And I think the event also counts as a family outing.