Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Winter Insulators Again, Part 2.
Here we are. Beginning our trek across the frozen wasteland which in summer would be called a lake. On our way to look for insulators. In February yet. With 3 feet of snow on the ground. But dad thought it would be perfect to check out this one area since we can get at it so easily by walking across the lake. Get at what? More snow? After our initial misadventure at the beginning, mentioned last time, we are on the way. Things are going smoothly. At about the mid point of the lake there is a loud, very long cracking sound. Not something I like to hear when standing in the middle of the lake. It can actually sound quite nice while standing on the shore. But not now. Dad and I stop. Dad suggests we separate a bit, just in case.
I didn’t like the way he added that last part. He tells me to go on ahead. Naturally. However, no problems occur. Until we get to the other shore. That hill was a bit steeper looking than it looked from the other side of the lake. Climbing a steep hill with snowshoes can be tricky. Climbing a steep hill without snowshoes can be tricky. Especially when it is covered with 3 feet of snow. Hmm. We could go further down the lake, but that would take us further from the tracks, and also further from the insulators. I was still wondering why I agreed to come on this insane trip in the first place. Now if we were after old bottles that would be different. Oh well.
Dad decides to climb first. Okay with me. Actually things were going quite well. A lot of little shrubs along the way to hold onto which made climbing much easier than I thought. Until one of those little shrubs I grabbed turned out to be a loose branch sticking out of the snow. That didn’t help. I lost my balance. And actually started to slide backwards. Not easy to do on snowshoes. At least, not these snowshoes. The back ‘tail’ decided to stick into the snow. That stopped the backward sliding. And flipped me backward. And down the hill I began to roll. Didn’t go too far though, fortunately. I was covered with snow. Snow in my boots. Snow in my mitts. Snow down my back. It was cold. Very cold.
And amazingly as I looked up, dad was standing up the hill looking at me, and, and, LAUGHING! Can you believe it?! Laughing at my calamity. Amazing. I didn’t see anything funny. He didn’t even come down to help me. Laughing too much. But I managed to get myself upright again and began the trek up hill, again. Finally we made it. But what did we see? A steep downhill approach to the tracks below. Dad and I stood looking. No way we can get down there, with or without snowshoes, I said. Dad sighed, but agreed. Oh well, let’s rest and have some coffee before heading back, said dad. We found a fallen log and sat down. Gave me a chance to clean out the remaining snow from my boots. And get out a dry pair of mitts and socks. So, what’s next?
To be continued.
Steve and Muffin.
© 2020 Steve McLeod.
20/20 Investigations, Inc…The Palace, Chapter 6.
I shine the flashlight around the room. Well, it’s a nice big bedroom, I say to Muffin. We go inside, close and lock the door. Look, a couple of kerosene lamps, which I light quickly. That looks much better, right Muffin? Meow, meow. What do you mean, a plane going home would be much better? This is going to be fun, just watch. Meow. (We’re going to die and he says fun.) Hey, some candles too and a note, says here that the electricity goes off sometimes. See? That’s all there is to it Muffin. Muffin just gives me that odd look she does sometimes.
Okay, I said, it might be something else, we can’t check until tomorrow though. I’ll give Rossana a call. What? Why is my battery dead on the phone Muffin? Meow. You were playing games on the plane? You could have told me that at the airport so I could have charged it there. Meow. (sorry). Oh well, Rossana is likely going to check on us tomorrow if she can’t get hold of us by phone. I decide to put the dresser in front of the door just in case. Muffin has already begun checking the room so I join in. Okay Muffin, looks like no one is listening. Meow. (I agree). There certainly has been some strange things happening today.
Meow. You’re worried Muffin? I admit, right now I’m a bit worried too. But things will look better in the morning. Meow. (I hope so). In a place this big, it’s impossible to tell if someone else is out here. Perhaps someone that works out here who would know the place better than we do. At least we still have our boat in case we need to leave, I say to Muffin. Meow? That’s okay, I fixed things so no one can steal the boat. Now we better get some sleep, lots of work to do tomorrow. Meow? Yes, I plan on sleeping, don’t forget, you slept on the plane, I didn’t.
I went to bed and fell asleep quickly, but Muffin wanted to stay up and watch for awhile. I tell her not to play with the flashlights, we’re going to need them. Suddenly I wake up with Muffin slapping my face! What’s wrong Muffin? Meow. Oh, it’s daylight, time to get up and get to work. I get cleaned up while Muffin waits impatiently. Okay Muffin, ready for a day of exploring? Meow, meow. (No, but I imagine we will anyway). Right, it’s going to be fun! Meow. (we have different ideas of fun). First we will give a quick check to every room we can find in this palace. Meow? Yes, even the rooms we were not allowed to go in. This case is too strange, we’re not leaving rooms unchecked.
However, let’s go check on our boat. We get to the boat area and…our boat is gone! Guess I slept too soundly. Muffin sighs. Stop sighing. Meow, meow? (we’re going to die and you want me to stop sighing?). Don’t forget, when Rossana doesn’t hear from us, she will come and check. Meow. Well, yes, if we can trust her. Don’t even suggest that, I’m sure we can trust her. Since we’re down here, let’s check the lower levels first. We walk down this long hallway with doors on both sides, mainly storage rooms of various kinds, some rooms completely empty. Good thing we have our flashlights, the hallway is dark, but all of the rooms have windows.
Finally we get to part of the hallway with no doors, suddenly we hear a creaking sound. We turn just in time to see a large wood door sliding across the hallway behind us. No way we could get there in time to get out. Hmm, this is not good, so we keep walking down the hall. Just ahead of us the hall turns to the left and…a dead end! Meow!
To be continued.
Steve and Muffin.
© 2020 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 