Kitwancool Lake, Day Two

​The loon! I woke up to the sound of loon. And with the exception that the mountain peaks are a little bit taller, you would think I would be in the Adirondacks or the New York Finger Lakes.  I slept in and I slept well.  It’s pretty dark here in the woods. I couldn’t believe it when I saw that it was 7:45 AM. I never, ever, ever sleep in that late, ever. But a few restless nights in a row will do that to you sometimes. I deeply breathe in cool morning air, as it was comfortable, not “freezing,” like it has been. I took Jo Jo for a longer walk this morning. Still bear paranoid. I take the bear spray, my hiking stick, with the air horn, my cell phone (no connection) and a whistle. Of course Jo Jo has his coyote vest on, but I’m pretty sure he will not be useful in any a encounter.

It’s my fault for leaving out a bag of blue corn chips in the front seat, as I occasionally munched on these over the last day or two while driving. They are so good. Much to my horror, as I picked up the bag, I noticed chewed holes. That damn mouse is still in here, or I have picked up another one. Imagine how grossed out I am now, that I was eating these chips not knowing that the mouse could’ve been in this bag. I try not to think about it, and I’m grateful that I picked out the chips from the top of the bag, not digging down to the bottom. Either way it’s disgusting, and I have to keep reminding myself that I’m out here in the woods, amongst the wildlife….camping. So the traps were definitely set, and this morning, I got him. If these mice think they can win this war, they are very sadly mistaken. I brought out the trusty Clorox, and wiped down every surface. 

I’m trying not to think about it, and I’m certainly distracted while I’m finishing breakfast, watching this gorgeous lake and a perfectly mirrored reflection. I might just have to stay here to sketch this.

What a glorious day I continue to listen to the loon, and slowly peeled off clothing layers as it was somewhere in the 70’s. I decided to stay and I broke out the sketchbook for a really involved sketch which I’m still finishing. Jo Jo and I took a longwalk and there were very few people passing by. In the late afternoon, I did not one but two swims, and I can’t call them. Polar plunge is because the water was comparable to what you might find in the finger lakes. Refreshing and clean. I cooked a few meals as preparation for the future. Honestly, it was just a day to take a break from driving and to just taking the view of this beautiful area.