ST -

I distinctly remember that very day (9/26) you snapped your POD. MagicPaddler & I were hunkered down on a west-facing beach campsite over on southern Pickerel Lake.  He literally "blew in" the afternoon before, paddling into the face of some nasty wind that had just kicked up.  It was so gusty that I had to take the lake trout I was grilling off the fireplace (I couldn't control the fire) and move it onto my stove in a more protected spot.  I had been totally immersed in my cooking when a strange feeling prompted me to look up and - poof!! - there he was, MagicPaddler, beaching his canoe where 15 seconds before there had been nobody in my field of vision.  The dude really is MAGIC!  For his next trick he performed an even greater feat, producing a cold beer out of his bag of magic!  It went down especially well with my lake trout!

That next day (9/26) - the day of your POD - was truly bleak, wet, windy and altogether nasty in every respect.  The steady onslaught of fierce winds and rain out of the west eventually proved to be too much for my prized CCS kitchen tarp, ripping it from one end to the other.  Ultimately it was my fault; I should have reset its angle sooner.  Anyway, just like you, we stayed hunkered down ALL DAY LONG.  We experimented with various spots for wind & rain protection where we might cook & eat our meals in peace. 

Some day I'll learn my lesson NOT to set up camp on west-facing sites when bad weather is expected.  9 out of 10 times it is quite beautiful but that 10th time pays for all!

Anyway, being socked in by weather can be especially tough during those shoulder seasons.  When a solid soaking combines with chilly weather you'd better be buttoned up in your shelter with a good book (or bottle) in your hand!

Fortunately, I had both!

Of course, it's those challenging times that help us appreciate just how golden the moments really are when Mother Nature favors us with her grace.  Also, I believe that coming out of those challenges, storms, etc., relatively unscathed must produce endorphins and something like a "runner's high."  You walk away with improved confidence that you can do more than just "weather" Life's storms; you can actually thrive.  You also develop a fuller appreciation for small pieces of luck that drift your way... like a cold beer that magically appears just when you needed one!

Later,

Jimbo   

Last couple of days are making me hungry! Ring the dinner bell!

One of the best POD'S of the year IMHO 

solotripper wrote on Dec 24^th, 2016 at 2:18pm:

Thanks ST and Jimbo.  This was shot at Mikaimi Falls on the Berens River northeast of WCPP in late August .  Mikaimi is one of the most extraordinary sites that I've ever had the privilege to visit.  It's not just a falls but an environment.  If it was located in the States the place would be littered with tourists lining up for the big shot.  As it is, we stayed there three days and saw no one.

That's a great shot. Kinda scary if it was coming AT you though.