Saturday Stories. #10 Part 3

Good morning everyone! It is another nice, sunny day here. And cold. This cold weather does not want to leave us. So it remains cold. The sunshine is very nice though, it always feels so much nicer when the sun shines. However, it is cold. Well, guess I should finish off my story today, if you missed last Saturday, you can read Part 2 here.

It was very early spring, the ice had just gone from the lakes and the water still was icy cold. But it was a warm, sunny day so Krissy and I were enjoying our hike, except for that fall into the icy water of the creek. But, we did have dry clothes for that one. Krissy had just jumped, successfully, across the creek right where it flowed into the lake. It was my turn.

Pine Siskin on my hand.

I ran, and jumped…and almost made it. But almost does not help. I landed in that icy cold water, which was up to my chest deep. I was soaked. And because of the rounded granite rock on the other side, it was not easy getting out of that water. I had to walk up the creek a bit to get onto shore again and Krissy was there to help me. Good thing.

I was already shivering badly. I had spent way too much time in that icy water. I was shivering so much that I could not even stand up. Krissy told me to sit down and take my clothes off. “Here? In the open?” I managed to say. “And who is going to see you?” she asked. Just then a squirrel scampered by. “Oh, I see, you are embarrassed to take your clothes off because the squirrels might see you?” she asked, “Hurry up before you get hypothermia!”

Ned, the Red-breasted Nuthatch on my hand.

I was now shaking so bad that I could not even take my shoes off. Krissy got them off quickly, without even untying the laces. She got all my clothes off amazingly fast too, then vigorously rubbed me with a towel, but that didn’t seem to help much, I was still shivering badly. She had one of those emergency blankets in her backpack and quickly got it out, then helped me to lie down on it.

I tried to wrap myself in it. “No, not yet,” she said, “I am going to get in there with you.” She was soon beside me and wrapped us both in the blanket. “Hey, this thing really works,” she said. I was getting warmer, mainly from her body heat, not mine. It did take a while before my shivering stopped though. “Your dad is going to kill me,” I said. Krissy just giggled.

Black-capped Chickadee on my hand.

I did not see anything funny about that. “You worry too much Steve,” she said. “Well, he is a lot bigger than me,” I reminded her. She giggled again. “Dad will just say I did the right thing,” she said, “and dad likes you.” “That was before this,” I said. “You worry too much,” she said again, “and I certainly was not going to let you get hypothermia. And dad will enjoy hearing about our hike, especially the part with the squirrel.”

“Stupid squirrel,” I said.

“Stupid squirrel,” I said. She giggled again, then kissed me. “Your lips looked cold,” she said, “so they need to be warmed up too.” Krissy had brought double extra clothes so she still had dry clothes which she said I could wear. “Uh, I doubt they will fit me,” I said. “The T-shirt will fit,” she said, and these are guys jeans.” “My waist is bigger than yours,” I reminded her.

She took my knife and cut a slit on each side of the jeans. I had my doubts about this. But, with a bit of wire holding them together, the jeans sorta fit. “Well, better than nothing,” she said. She had a point and we did have a long walk back to the car, and it was getting late. We should be back home already. Sigh. We took a slightly different route back which made the hike a bit shorter.

Benson, the Boreal Chickadee, on my hand.

That was good, clouds had moved in and it was getting much cooler. The walking did help to keep me warm and once in the car I was able to turn the heat on which sure felt good. I was just going to drop Krissy off at home and keep going, but she said no to that and took my keys. Sigh. Krissy’s mom made supper for us and suddenly there was loud laughter in the kitchen.

Her mom came out. “Loved the part with the squirrel,” she said smiling. Krissy’s dad also loved that part. Sigh. Even with that mishap, it was still a wonderful day and nice hike with a great friend. Perhaps I will share another hike next week. I hope you all have a great weekend and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2024 Steve McLeod.