Canoes

When the Explorer Scout Troup disbanded in Mt. Pleasant much of their gear went to whoever wanted it. Clint Rila kept the seventeen-foot canoe and would loan it out to any Scout or former Scout who wanted to use it. He would even let you keep it for extended periods because there just wasn’t much demand for it.

We borrowed that canoe a lot! It was easy to lift up on top of a car, strap it on and carry it off to a river or stream somewhere. We usually used it on the Skunk River, Big Cedar Creek or Big Creek. It was fun to get some other couples and more canoes and go on a float trip. Most of the time the weather was good and we had few problems. At least once the weather was bad.

One time we planned a trip with two other couples. Each couple had their own canoe. We thought we would float down Big Cedar and have a picnic on the way. When the day came it was cool and rainy but we were determined to go anyway. We loaded up our gear and headed for the starting point. By that time it was evident that one of the females was less than excited about going even if the weather got better.

As luck would have it she got wet just getting into the canoe. It went down hill from then on. Becky and I were experienced and dressed for the occasion. I can’t say the doomed couple was. The third couple were prepared and not getting bothered by the circumstances. The male taunted the now discouraged couple and after awhile pulled up next to them and rocked their canoe. The victims over compensated and were in the water in an instant! The female let out a stream of expletives that only fueled the bully.

When they were back in the boat and headed downstream he started in again. Seeing that this could only get a lot worse I encouraged him to leave them alone and he did for a while. By that time the poor couple wanted nothing than to just get out of there, dry out, and get some warm clothes on. We were in the middle of a stretch of the creek between the only exit points, which were simply bridges. There was really no choice but to ride it out. We had planned to go a lot further but the couple and the other two females in the group had enough.

When we did get near the exit point the bully started again with the taunts and then moved in for the boat rocking. Trying to get away the couple tipped again. By then the female was so mad she was spitting bullets. We got out at the bridge, trudged through ankle deep mud and flagged a ride to one of our cars. Eventually we all go home safely. We thought maybe we all just go someone’s house and eat but that was quickly nixed.

The very sad part of this whole story is that the couple that had so much trouble soon divorced. I doubt if it really had anything to do with the canoe trip but I am sure it didn’t help.

My Dad and I canoed a lot together and he even, with the help of a friend, built a kayak. More on that in the next piece.