Owen: The "marooning" was intentional and supposedly a disciplinary action. There were 5 people in her original party, so I guess she wasn't needed for travel. We took her to Ely (after we came out) because she agreed to finish our trip so we wouldn't have to cut it short. We were coming out a day ahead of her party (supposedly), so we thought we could arrange a night's stay with her party's outfitter. Turns out her party came out a day early and left without her again. We did talk to a Sherriff, but since the incident happened in Canada, no criminal charges were possible (besides, at 19, she's an adult). The wind on Cache Bay was such that we made for Hook Island instead of the Ranger station - again, it was her decision not to pursue the potential criminal side with the Mounties.

I still can't imagine anything she could have said that would prompt me to leave her to fate - I have 3 daughters, and they all have mouths. Still, I couldn't leave 1 one the rock for mouthing off.

I guess blood is thicker than water or the state's money (which ran out when she turned 19).

I can understand the foster mother leaving her in Ely (can I?) - she could at least have food and shelter. On the rock, she had what I described in the first post. No, I can't understand. I guess it's a good thing we got there b4 any variety of rapists or other breeds found her.

As far as the good deed, she earned her keep on portages and around camp. I had to "convince" her that we had plenty of food (we did) and basically yelled at her to eat when she was hungry. I would travel with her again - she has pretty good woods and paddling skills.

I'm well aware that we might have been scammed by her good behavior with us, but the more I think on it, the more I'm sure she's just a typical teenager, made somewhat more "intense" by her foster child status (I don't know the reason she's was in foster care - none of my business).

I do have some insight into foster care. My wife was a foster child, and she has shared some of her experiences with me over the 19 years we've been married. The emotional component of this is not pretty - wife still has memories she won't share, and her foster mother/adopted mother is a sweetheart.

In reply to: Re: Abandoned posted by Qwen H on July 22, 1999 at 17:15