Day Six of Vacation: Believe

Believe

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

July 4th, 2012

Day six of vacation and still no power yet. It is hot, it is beyond hot. The humid air hovers around us making everything sticky and unbearable. We slept restlessly last night with a little help from our neighborhood raccoons. It seems Rocky has friends and he invited them to an all night party at our cabin. We city folks are slow to learn, but we have improved. We brought the dog food in last night, burned the trash and bundled up leftovers. So Rocky was a little upset his midnight snack was not left out, as a result he and his friends made a racket that had the dogs howling.

I drug myself up off the lumpy couch with flashlight in hand and tried shining it on the black eyed friend. He didn’t even flinch but sat making raccoon noises and staring back at me. I guess he thought I would serve him like a fast food joint. Eventually, he grew tired and ran off into the dark night. Finally, I slipped back onto the couch and tossed around for a few more hours drifting in and out of sleep.

The critters seem to grace us all around. Early this morning I had the pleasure of watching a Redbird or Cardinal, my Grandma Goldie’s favorite bird floats above in the trees. I had to smile at this redheaded feathered friend. Shortly afterwards a tiny hummingbird came to check out the empty feeder. It is moments like this in the still of the woods that fills me with blessings and erases my discomfort. God sends us signals constantly but in my fast paced world, I rarely pause long enough to notice. This trip, it is as if God is shouting at me to be still!

So today, I will enjoy each moment, wipe the sticky sweat off and allow God to bless me. The sounds of birdsong are music that needs no electric and I am enjoying the melody, God’s songs.


“Sing your own song in your own special way.”

 Each day I continue my bible study daily and find God awakening me with lessons. It is as if he is whispering…”Remember this time, do not forget.”

Dan called the Marina to check if they might have power yet so we can gas up the boat. I can tell he is growing restless and the heat is agitating him. His frustration that we do not take the boat further out is hard on him. He hangs up the phone and disappointment is all over his face. Despite all this, Michael our great fisherman is content, calm and enjoying nature. He walks around the grounds in search of snakes, fish and today found a treasure of an empty turtle shell.

Mark and I decide to head to Marina any way to ask for a solution to our expensive boat we cannot go far in due to power failure. Parking the car we see light on inside!!!! Joy, Joy, Joy! They rented a generator and we can buy gas, supplies, ice and go boating. I am overjoyed Dan is less so.

We move slowly as the heat takes a toll on all. The men finally head to gas up and I stay back with the dogs packing up sandwiches and treats. The waiting tires me and I decide to start taking the supplies down to the boat, the dogs are way ahead of me and before I can leash them off they scoot down the “Heart Attack Hill”. I worry they will wander off and I won’t find them. Slowly I edge down the steep hill and find them standing on the dock wagging tails all excited. Both dogs are loving the boating and fresh air.

I stack the supplies and quickly wade into the water to cool off. Both dogs watch me and I pull them in to swim with me. They are both skittish, but I think they secretly enjoy the water. I luxuriate in the cool waters, bathing myself in its silky essence and thank God.

Boat Time and The Rock

The fish are scarce today, Dan catches the only one. Mike snagged a big one that broke his line and his heart. I sunbathe, burn is more like it and we head to find our “rock”.

The rock is a favorite find of ours over the years and one year we could not find the spot and went home disappointed. In my younger days I would hike up the steep bank and walk around the rock which is huge. Today, I watch from the shore as the men head up the hill and survey the rock. I swim, shoot some photos and decide it is a good place to take a bath. My eyes scour the surroundings and enjoy the view of the large hunk of rock we so love to visit as I dip precariously in the cool water. To my surprise, Mark joins me and we soap up, shampoo and I watch as he swims awhile. Mark is not one who likes to swim and I am happy to watch him cool off as he has taken the heat pretty bad.

Floating in the cool water we watch other boaters and dogs nearby do the same. It is an enjoyable time. The boys try hard to snag a fish which are not at all cooperating today. The water offers us refreshment and I am thankful for it today.

We snack on sandwiches on the boat. Sammy gets pretty hyper after he spots some low flying Geese and we have to calm him down. It is such a beautiful day in spite of the heat.

Back to the cabin, heat index reads over 100 degrees, still no electric. Each time we go out, we have high hopes the power will return by the time we reach the cabin, each time we are disappointed. We settle in, unpacking, changing clothes and talk about what to cook for dinner.

A loud rumble of engine alerts us we have company. Chesney from down the road rides up on a four wheeler to let us know power is on its way. About the time the words are out of his mouth, we see the first truck head up the end of the road to the sound of our cheers. Chesney states we might have it back in less than half an hour. We are so excited and thank Chesney for the news.

Of course a half an hour passes and not a flicker of a fan blows, then another half hour and still nothing. It is the Fourth of July and we want to celebrate. Mike decides to nap in the hot bunk house, Mark and Dan decide to cool off in car and make another ice run. I wait.

I hear another storm on the horizon, thunder rolls in the not so far distance and the clouds turn gray. I watch and grow hotter. Thoughts of the cool waters below call to me. I wrestle with the thoughts of heading down and the agony of hiking back up the hill. Finally, with sweat trickling over my brow I make an executive decision and grab a cane and start down the hill. The dark skies east of us bellow thunder. Two quick dips under the refreshing waters cools me.

A Blue Gill nips at me, not a hurtful nip, but enough to make me jump. I swim further out away from the dock and keep watch on the threat of storm clouds coming closer. A spark of light in the sky has me cautious and after one last dip below the water, I reluctantly step out.

Climbing the hill wearing a bright orange bath scarf alerts bees to chase me. I cannot win between nibbles of fish and threat of flies, stings I climb faster. A slow incline is not in the cards right now as the bees swarm my head and horse flies dive bomb around me. Breathless, I reach the top now shaky from burning muscles on this old gal. My effort to cool off now has been a waste as the run up the hill has me overly hot again. Drats! Nature sure has a way of making me humble.

The guys return and still no power. We are disheartened to say the least. We are surviving and have enjoyed this vacation, but a little electric would be so wonderful right about now.

Finally, on the Fourth of July a flicker of power turns on the light in the cabin and we rush to our feet to turn lights on and arrange fans. We now declare this an official celebration as our declaration. Dependent on each other these last six days has made us a team, but the electricity is sure a blessing.

We laugh, clap our hands and hoot with Joy! Dan’s face lights up with happiness and Mark arranges a fan on the deck and we sit and enjoy this luxury. Six days of primitive living, we survived. God has blessed us for our half hearted patience and I give thanks to him for pulling us through it all.

Daniel was great during the trip, he often jumped in and out of the boat to cook, clean, guide and even rescue some stranded 4-H gals. He carried things up the hills and was just such a blessing to us on this vacation. I so enjoyed our time together, however, he is done and ready to travel back to civilization. He offers to take the dogs back and he and Mike will head home tomorrow. I am sad, but know it is time. Mark and I will have a day or two alone.

Dan makes us a nice dinner again. Hamburgers, hot dogs, beans and wieners and wonderful fried potatoes, food of campers are the menu tonight. We enjoy each and every morsel

Fans run hot air over us, dinner done and dishes cleaned, we settle in front of TV’s , radio and anything the electric will allow for and we missed. I am happy to have a light to read by tonight. I read and study my bible, remembering to give thanks for this time alone with my men. The boys settle into the bunk house one last night relieved a fan will cool them off for sleep. The dogs have trouble cooling down and circle from one fan to another before they finally settle down for a long summer night nap.

God pours his spirit upon me reminding me to refresh myself often, recharge my spirit and remember this time. This has been more than a vacation for me, but a spiritual retreat.

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of  righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalms 23:2-3

Teresa Gale