Posted: 10/20/04

Cold Rain

I have been working too hard today. The old dock is tied alongside the island, at the flat rock. It floated away in high water last year, and we wrestled it in against the shore. There are many good deck boards and crib timbers to be salvaged. I have to get it done today, or wait until next summer.

This is heavy work, with an iron bar and a bucket to collect the nails and spikes. After a couple hours, I notice that my hands are shaky from the exertion. I separate two big timbers, the entire superstructure sags into the river, and I almost go along with it!
At risk of losing the whole works, I have to get the boat and hook a line to the far end. I did not need this half-hour interruption.

Having fastened the line, I return the boat to the boathouse, and notice (finally looking up!) the menacing rainstorm that is approaching. It could be just misty, in which case I should work through and put up with it-I can heat myself through a gentle rain. If it is the real thing, however, I had better pack it in. A quarter mile down the path from the cabin, I have two loads of gear. A soaking rain would crash my schedule for the rest of the day.

Half an hour later, I sit on the porch as the downpour rages outside. I am content with my conservative decision. The rain itself is not so bad, but it comes with a big wind that may blow the old dock away.

It is time to pull the plug on this season. The dock project will wait-or it will not. My duffel is packed, the tools are ready to go down to the boat. Cold rain stings with the force of the northwest wind. I have a premonition of winter, as I tie up the garbage sack and head for home.

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