Day 28

And our idyllic campsite turned out not to be so idyllic at all. While we were watching Black Widow a storm tore through northern Wisconsin. Driving back to the campground there were branches and leaves down everywhere. As we drew closer to camp the debris littering the road multiplied. This did not bode well for our tiny flimsy tent. Sure enough, the minute I saw the tent I knew something was wrong. It was twisted and collapsed in the back. I ran out of the car to take a closer look and found our sleeping bags floating in at least two inches of water. Every thing was drenched. We had to sleep in the car. Someday we we laugh about this. Someday is not today.

We pulled the car up to the lake but the lightning show was too spectacular to sleep. The sky looked angry as lightning flashed bold and frequent. Two bolts struck simultaneously. Other bolts struck horizontally, vertically, and in intricate patterns. And the thunder crashed, booming so loudly that the car vibrated. Then more wind came and rain that poured down on the earth. Out wet tent taking more of a beating.

None of us slept well. We didn’t have room to stretch out but at least we stayed dry and relatively warm. We were all up early. We drained the tent of water and then drove to the laundromat in Washburn. Not only did water get in the tent but sand also got in our sleeping bags. We washed them and will lay them out in the sun later. G3 had never been to a laundromat before, and in the absence of other entertainment he amused himself watching the close spin round and round. There is a sign on the door saying “masks required.” The only other woman here is taking a liberal (stupid or selfish) view of what that means. She obviously thinks a mask is necessary to prevent her chin from falling to the floor. (This pandemic has really caused me to hate people.)

Our sleeping bags are clean and dry. With life looking a bit better we went out for breakfast. We then headed over to Houghton Falls — mine and G3’s favorite place to swim. Considering how many places I have visited and how many bodies of water I’ve swam in the fact that this is my favorite says a great deal. When we left Northern Wisconsin last summer we were sad to go. Neither G3 nor I thought we’d be back — at least not for a long time. Yet, we’ve been back twice. The water was much warmer today than it was in May, but not quite as warm as it was in last August. To get there we had to hike for about 15 minutes. Not only did G3 not complain about it, he practically raced down the trail.

Of course it’s jumping off the rocks that makes swimming here so much fun. There was another boy — about G3’s age — there with his family. He and G3 got along well and spent close to an hour jumping off the rocks and swimming together. Kati jumped in once. Apparently, she is not as enthralled with jumping as G3 and I are. Plus after days of being too hot, today she was cold.

We went to visit friends who live nearby and G3 was excited to spend time with two of his favorite dogs.

When we got back to our campground we felt better to see other tent campers laying out their clothes, cots, and sleeping bags. Misery loves company. And it was good to know our tent wasn’t the only one to get wet.

The late afternoon, early evening is my favorite time at the beach, and I am loving the fact that we can hang out on the beach all night. We had another picnic dinner and then G3 and I went for a swim. To dry off we took a walk along the beach. But I am not surprised that as soon as we returned — mostly dry — to our campsite G3 dove back in. He is greatly enjoying his time here. And now that the sun is out and everything is dry our site is back to being perfectly idyllic. Now, time for a campfire.

When the sunset — behind a veil of clouds — G3 set up his telescope. He is so enthusiastic about the stars.