It was early morning, shortly after sunrise. The air was still and the temperature, perfect. Not a cloud in the sky. By noon it would be hot. Amy Grey was already sweaty from hard work. She was the guide on the fishing/canoe trip Ross Mayer had arranged with Sunshine Resort. She loaded the canoes with all that would be needed. Fishing equipment and a knap sack for each of Ross's sons and their wives would be added after they were picked up. Amy slipped into the clear water to freshen up before she would pick up the trippers from their cottage island by motor boat and then return with them to the resort where the canoes and supplies were ready to go . This was the first time she would serve as guide for them because it was the first year that Ross was not going, and it was the first time the wives were going with their husbands. Amy was submerged up to her chin and stayed still, watching water bugs walk on the surface of the water, held up by water tension. She could feel minnows brush against her under the surface. Several swam upwards and instantly swallowed the unsuspecting bugs. Amy sank lower, drawing her head into the water, keeping her eyes open and watched with blurry vision the movement of the minnows. She didn't use soap and rubbed her skin to remove the sweat and dust. Her long hair was suspended under water, buoyant and swaying like tree branches would in a gentle wind. She rubbed her scalp and when she felt clean she stood up and came onto the dock where she sat down to dry herself, her wet clothes clinging to her strong body, looking at the canoes and mentally going over all that was in them, making sure that everything needed was there.
She drove the motor boat to the Mayer island. The elderly couple, the caregivers and a couple of the trippers were on the dock waiting for her. She landed and greeted them all. Michael called the others and they came to the dock with their personal bags. There was more luggage than Amy expected. Michael, Colleen and Lisa had their necessities in knapsacks but Phillip had cumbersome suitcases. Amy didn't say anything. Extra personal luggage would be in each couple's canoe along with their fishing equipment. The motor boat was boarded and as they came away from the island and headed north to the resort, the parents waved, wishing them good luck and a wonderful time. When the trippers arrived at the resort dock and were packing the last of what was to go, Phillip insisted that his luggage and Colleen's bag be put into Amy's canoe or the one she would be pulling behind her. Phillip was angry. Amy accommodated. Michael and Lisa kept their belongings in their canoe seeing as there was no more room in Amy's or in the canoe she was dragging.
Phillip was still angry as the group started out and muttered in mean tones how he felt compelled to go, the reason why being unclear to him. He would not paddle, leaving that to Colleen, who seemed to enjoy it and the silence, when Phillip finally stopped grumping. Neither did Lisa paddle. She and Phillip were both in the front of their canoes, trolling. Michael loved paddling. The day was beautiful and they were in no rush. They arrived at the first portage and had the picnic lunch prepared by Sunshine Resort. Amy was to carry everything, including the canoes, while the trippers enjoyed their lunch and the day. Michael insisted on helping Amy with the portage work because, he said, it was part of the fun. The bugs clouded around the people and irritated no end in spite of the thick layers of insect repellant used. Amy didn't use any and didn't appear to be bothered by the bugs. Phillip was infuriated by the pests and cursed his father repeatedly and Ross's belief in the value of bonding. He stayed in the water hoping it would help but the bugs crowded around his head. The others kept their feelings and thoughts to themselves. The open air in the middle of the second lake provided respite from the hungry black flies. In the second lake, Lisa caught a good sized fish and Phillip burned with unacknowledged envy.
The group saw no other people since they had set off. During the hottest part of the afternoon they arrived at the portage to the destination lake of legendary fishing. This portage was twice as long as that previous. Colleen would have helped with the carrying but Phillip forbade her in order that Amy should do all she was hired to and thereby make the money spent worth it. The portage was narrow and well marked as had the other been. Phillip ran across, hoping to avoid the flies and he shoved Michael aside who had a canoe on his shoulders at the time, knocking him over and yelling at him to get out of his way. Amy was almost pushed over but she managed to yield enough space for Phillip to pass by. A cloud of bugs was following him. Amy was shocked when Phillip knocked Michael over and rushed to help him get back on his feet. He was not hurt and the canoe suffered no damage. Phillip impatiently waited for everything to be carried over. He and Lisa were taking refuge in the water. Colleen was perched on a large, white rock of quartz, watching and doing sketches in a small sketchbook she had brought. A family of loons swam away from the swimmers. Both Phillip and Lisa caught fish. There was plenty for a feast of a dinner. Finally they arrived at the designated camp site. A wind had picked up necessitating increased effort during the final stretch of paddling; however it had the bonus of blowing the flies away and even at the campsite there were very few. Amy and Michael set up camp, assembling the tents and preparing the fire. Amy did the cooking while Michael finally took a turn at fishing. Soon after the splendid sunset, the group went into their respective tents and fell asleep. Amy and Michael submerged the food under water in a solid steel container that was claimed to be bear-proof by the manufacturers. Everything was scrupulously washed and organized so that there would be nothing to encourage scavengers. Eyes were on the blazing sky and rising full moon. None noticed the faint glow in the south.
