Day 5! Lost & Found - my favorite!
After a long day on the water yesterday, I wanted to reach Sebago Lake in order to beat the rain storm tomorrow & get set up to have a rest day. When I finally reached the beach that look like the state park, there were 4 eagles, 2 pairs communicating with each other from 2 different white pine trees. The high pitched screeching was remarkable. I took it as a good sign that I was in the right place. park was closed. there was a wooden structure on the beach that I made my home. No wet tent! paired eagles in the tree above me. Thank you. Making it to Sebago felt epic to me. It was my last night solo on this journey. A threshold.
Crossing big water in a fog bank is intimidating to me. My map and compass skills are rudimentary at best. There was an easterly wind pushing me off course only I didn’t realize it because I had no reference pt. couldn’t see land anywhere. I had to trust the compass. when I oriented the compass, map & landscape earlier, I got some weird download how to do it right & felt confident even though I have very low confidence in this area. I felt supported & needed to trust it.
I watched my trust waiver as I was getting off course, couldn’t see land & was in the middle of the lake. Doubt happened. I had to do a fair amount of singing, chanting , very direct praying. I saw something that I wanted to be Frye Island. As I got closer, I saw ledge. dammit that’s gonna be Frye’s Leap! I pulled up to the first island beach -needed to find a place to warm up. There was a truck in the driveway ya! asked to come in & warm up. He was hesitant - still let me in. I don’t blame him one bit. must’ve been quite a sight. My hands weren’t working -so cold. I asked him to unzip my lifejacket so I could get out of my dry suit to go to the restroom. so awkward and intimate :-) I said- “it’s OK. you got this”. 🤪😘It took him forever & I even had to have him put it back on me :-) my thumbs were still shut down. so grateful to “strangers” on the watershed trail! I texted my friend Jo Weiss to please meet me at Whites Bridge. She came. TY! I am renewed! Taking Needed rest day tomorrow- I’m 2 days ahead of schedule! Next- Presumpscot River to the ocean!
What a relief for the fog to lift enough for landmark sites!
Frye’s Leap might as well have been a light house 🕯️🕯️🕯️
I’m staying near the Presumpscot River at Jo’s to take a rest day, dry the gear, stay warm and stretch ! Being 2 (unexpected) days ahead of schedule I have a buffer for a rest day - so grateful - especially with 100% chance of rain tomorrow! I’ll watch from the window. 😘
Readying for sunny Sunday paddle back to where I took out at Sebago Basin and then portage to the mouth of the Presumpscot River for the final paddle leg to the ocean-
On Sunday, I meet with a board member of Presumpscot Regional Land Trust to learn more about their mission and vision and how it relates to the watershed. Looking forward to that. More soon!
Final note- So far “Paddle with a Purpose” has raised over $2000 to support Friends of Casco Bay and Friends of the Presumpscot River! Our goal is to raise $5000 by Tuesday May 13! Donation link is above this post on this page. And thanks to all that have contributed already! Let’s do this!
