How We Fell Into Duck Harbor, Part 2
Our beautiful lake and immediate surroundings are home to all sorts of creatures, both in the water and out. Back in the 60s, opening day of trout season was, to say busy, would be a drastic understatement. Starting in the wee hours the parking lot was full, and all the way up the road and around the corner, too. Hopeful fishermen (and women) dropped their tempting lures into the water in hopes of snagging ’the big one.’ Occasionally their luck was limited to tree branches in the way of a high cast, which snagged lure waited patiently for a future row boater to happen along with aspirations for a free lure.
Anything free is a temptation for my daughter Debbie and me, so we ‘parked’ under the tree in our wobbly boat, teetering precariously back and forth, while freeing the captured lure. But there was something else in the tree, unseen until gravity did the inevitable; the mystery object fell into the boat right past my horrified face: a snake! It had been peacefully enjoying the sun until our rude interruption. I sputtered and gasped, and was finally able to mutter "Deb, there’s a SNAKE in the boat!!” Her response? “Oh, cool!” We hauled the boat onto the shore, turned it upside down, and the relieved creature slithered out and into the water. The lure still resides in the murky depths of the tackle box.
The most relaxing water activity is bobbing along in a tire inner tube while the wakes of oncoming motor boats gently rock you back and forth. This doesn’t go unnoticed by the little sunnies who take perverted pleasure in nibbling at your exposed backside. It tickles! If you go fishing in the evening you’re accompanied by bats, who swoop about your head in search of delectable flying insects.
The only things we ever caught on these evening excursions were pickerel. Tasty, but so laden with bones that the only beneficiary of these attempts was Blackberry, our cat. Speaking of whom: Blackberry was a tiny stray tortoise-shell kitten who, while wandering up the road from the lake, possessed the correct instincts to attach herself to the first sucker to venture into her path. We were willing servants of Blackberry for around 20 years until she —well, you know. Sniff.
Another most relaxing activity is lying in the sun on the wooden dock. I happened to have a flesh-colored bathing suit (‘flesh’ colored if you happen to be a white person). A rowboat happened by, occupied by a couple of fellas. They misinterpreted my bathing suit and gawked in either horror or anticipation.
In the spring robins’ nests materialize in every corner of house and garage; it’s lovely to watch as the birds fly back and forth with treats for the nestlings. In the first installment of this episode I mentioned the Howarth family, who rescued us from a frigid night in the woods. One of their family members (I apologize for not recalling his name) was an avid —and patient— photographer and bird watcher. Years later he sat on the back porch of our year-round house in nearby Damascus and waited—and watched—as baby bluebirds emerged from their box for their maiden voyage. One after another, a small head poked out, and the brave little soul took his first step into space. All captured on film! (Film; as I said, years later, but also years ago.)
Back at the A frame. One day, upon returning to Duck Harbor from the week in NY, we observed, upon entering the house, that something was amiss. There were shreds of paper towel on the floor and kitchen counter, and toilet paper in the bathroom. And, flying about the house, the most adorable—and destructive—little flying rodent. Flying squirrel: big eyes, and flap of skin between the back and front legs, which enabled him to glide, similar to flight. Who to call for advice? Walmart, of course! That’s a stretch, but seemed to be the only option at the time. I’d remembered that Walmart had a pet department; dog food, cat food, bird seed.
So that’s who I called and, incredibly, a young man picked up and knew exactly what to do! The little guy was in the bathroom at the time, so the advice was turn off the light, shut the door, and wait until morning. Then reenter the bathroom, open the window, wait outside and watch the window. The squirrel should go towards the light at the window and leave. And that’s exactly what happened. I LOVE Walmart! Stay tuned.
