TCC for 2/4/09

TCC for 2/4/09

Posting of the Caretaker’s Journal entries from 2003 began on the 2nd of February 2009, if you’ve missed the earlier posts click on “TCC for Feb 02” on the left in the “Blog Archive” and begin reading from there.

Unfortunately the Caretaker is currently having some trouble uploading photos, not that he took any today, and there really isn't much to report, so instead the Caretaker has decided to dig out his journal from when he first started working again at the Island. His first stint was during the mid-nineties, then he returned for the Summer of 2003, the text that follows has been edited only for spelling, it is basically a verbatim transcription from his journal (thus unedited except for coherency), this third entry is from his third day back at the Island. It is as follows:

May 27th, 2003, Tuesday

It was a good day today. I did not do any work for the Island as was intended, but I did accomplish quite a bit for myself. In the morning I baked a loaf of corn bread, the bottom was burned a bit but not enough to make it inedible. Overall it came out pretty good. During the baking I figured out a way to get the oven to go above 325 degrees Fahrenheit—I put a piece of aluminum foil over the top covering the top vents, now the oven gets up to at least 400 degrees. I also realized that I need to rotate the pan 180 degrees to help it bake evenly. All of this new found knowledge went towards the second loaf which I baked earlier tonight, it came out better than the first, but I still have some tinkering to do. I expect that my third loaf will be even better if not perfect.

After breakfast I went for a canoe. There was almost no wind thus the Lake was perfect glass—given such conditions how could I not go? Originally my plan was to just paddle out to Gull Rock, but once I arrived there I saw no reason not to continue on to Log Bay, and so I did. I paddled in between the Perch Islands and then made my way over to the mouth of the stream from Shelving Rock Falls. The area has changed somewhat from when I was last over there some four or five years ago, nothing too drastic—the marshlands area has opened up a bit, more accessible. A fallen pine tree was blocking my way about five to ten feet from the bridge. I explored all the areas I could in hopes of seeing another turtle—no such luck. However, I did get to see and hear a wonderful lot of birds. The numerous songs and calls were almost overwhelming.

As I was paddling out of the marsh area of Log Bay I noted that the only thing Lake George lacks (other than less motor boats) are Loons. Yet just as I was canoeing around the North East side of the Longest of the Perch Islands I believe I saw a Loon. However once it took flight I was not so sure of the fowl’s Loon-acy. Yet tonight I thought I heard the call of a Loon. It has been some five or six years since I saw or heard a Loon so my visual recognition is a bit off, but when you hear one you know you hear one. Yet the call I heard tonight was so faint and brief I’m not completely sure. From past experience here I don’t recall if Loons inhabit this area. I should make a point of visiting the Highpeaks region if for nothing else to hear the Loons. There is something about their call at night both so eerie and haunting, yet so welcoming and comforting. It is a sound to me that makes me feel as though all is right in the woods. (Chances are there will come a time when the sound of the Loon will no longer be heard in these Adirondack woods, come that time, much will be wrong in not just the woods but the world in general. –Caretaker’s note 2/4/09)

The rest of the day was spent cleaning out the Ghetto and moving my belongings inside. For the past two nights I have been sleeping in the Living room in front of the fireplace—a fire going of course. I hope to air out the mattresses from the Ghetto tomorrow, if so I shall begin sleeping there. In the meantime I plan to organize my belongings in there and arrange my shower properly. Where I have my shower hanging currently is tolerable, but it can be improved. I shall make the final adjustments tomorrow—hopefully it will be the best it can be by tomorrow.
I will try to begin work for the Island tomorrow, but if not, well, there is always the next day.

On a lighter note: I found a water/air rocket, the kind you fill half with water and then pump with air and then launch. Well I found it in storage while packing up for the Island and thought it would be amusing to have here, if not for me for the children here. Well I unpacked it and thought I should give it a try. I filled it with water, pumped it with air and then launched it. Upon takeoff it immediately arced to the right, landed on the rood and broke off the fine I re-glued years ago. The rocket is still there on the roof, perhaps it will come down someday—if not it can always serve as a topic of curiosity. Anyway, though it was short lived, I found it to be very amusing. Watching it shoot off to the side like that and then crash on the roof gave me a good laugh. Oh well.

Mental note to self: If you see something on the Island that you know you will need at a later date put it somewhere conspicuous. Twice today I was looking for something I needed and had seen the other day, but at the time I needed these items they were nowhere to be found, not until long after the fact did I find these items again. Perhaps the Ghosts of the Island are conspiring against me, but why they should covet such things as the dust pan and the watering can is beyond me. Perhaps it is not the Ghosts and instead Island mind-rot as already begun to set in.

End Journal Entry for 5/27/2003
Coming tomorrow the Caretaker’s journal entry for 5/28/2003