The Johnson Journals, Chapter 201

•  Northern Lumber delivers lumber to Don

• Don has successful fishing experience

• Don writes about fierce storm

7/1/68 Up at 5:30. Rain and wind. Wandered around wondering what we will do with another foot of water. At about 9:30 the wind made a quick turn to the west. Houseboat on outside of breakwater began taking a real beating. Layna came down but we could not hold it off. She went after our boys, met them on path and gave them holy hell. They came running. We moved the entire fleet around to big dock without trouble. Our guests still feeling no pain so weather not bothering them. Our little yellow warbler riding out the storm better than we!

7/2/68 No guests on island so I could put full worrying powers exclusively on high water. Made one positive decision. Decided to raise dock at mainland and ordered material for same. That done, I went on tour to see what was happening to others. Edwards ramshackled dock doing fine. Camp Kooch-i-ching not so fine. Seegerts sand bagging their place. Carlson flooded out. Amidon’s dock gone. Shuppens dock off pier and I helped tow it to shore. Clark’s dock gone. Last stop at Cleveland’s where Leslie had all his water containers (including waste baskets and dish pan!) on his dock. He was cursing BCC, reminding me of the heat M&O got in 1950. Layna to town and on way home picked up Grace Harrison, Cheryl and her husband. I was not too happy with that deal but it worked out fine. When we took them back we discovered that Kife Thompson had delivered our dock lumber to Curtice Dock! After trying unsuccessfully to get hold of Kife, I called Buck and explained deal. If Norman blows a fuse, I won’t be sorry.

7/3/68 Called Northern Lumber and they sent truck out and moved lumber to our dock. Called Jim and he showed up at 10:00 a.m. We got at dock and by 5:00 p.m. we had it raised 12 inches. It is in the lap of the Gods now.

7/4/68 Byrne and Jane drove from Pittsburgh in 22 hours to arrive here at 4:00 p.m. A fun reunion. They went to Buck’s where we joined them at 8 p.m. Buck shot off his cannon twice. Great! Back to NWI at 10 p.m. where Layna bedded down whole family in houseboat.

7/5/68 Spent morning with Byrne and family. It was good. They moved to Edwards about noon. Byrne and I out for bass - caught three and a very pleasant visit. A good chance to talk. Saw Mabes Anderson at airport. What a pitiful sight. She has been to Rochester for cobalt treatments. We have never liked her, especially after 1950 deal, but she has nothing but our sympathy now.

7/6/68 I try to be optimistic about damned high water situation but sure squirm inside when I think what a wind of this velocity would do to us if it were from NE. Rumors flying that lake will come up at least another foot. When you ask anyone, “Who said it?” the answer is always, “I heard.” Well, I think that if it rains we get higher water, if it doesn’t, we don’t. It is that simple and who can predict it?

7/7/68 Byrne came about 2:30. We had a good visit. We know now why he belongs to this computer age. He tried to explain to his Model T parents how an invention he is working on operates. Daaaa! He took his family home (to island) and came back to NWI. Layna and I took him to catch plane at 8:30 p.m. We have the feeling that he is going places. Literally and figuratively. To see The Graduate. Thoroly enjoyed it.

7/8/68 Dr. Edwards and Jean arrived in town at 4:30. Terrific west wind still blowing. I arranged to meet them at Windy Point and did. A rough ride across stretch but not bad rest of way. I still have a hard time warming up to them, and still can’t explain exactly why. West wind pounding at our breakwater and the top tier began to loosen. Put on a couple of barrels and tied shore end to tree before going to bed.

7/10/68 Plane late so we did not get home until 5:30. When we did, everyone here, including Art, drunk as a lord. Damn his hide. I got him alone in fish house and chewed hell out of him, knowing full well I could just as well talk to the ice maker.

7/11/68 Party of 10 (damn) so we had to get Ed George. He had helluva hangover. “Drink is the curse of the working man” - and their bosses! To Red Gut where walleye fishing good. About 60 fish caught. It did my heart good to run into Houseboat Bay and find Gerry and family there on Bill White’s boat.

7/13/68 Took our 10 guests to airport and met 5 new ones. When we got them home at 5:30 we heard storm warnings on radio. They were not kidding. About 6:30 all hell broke loose. The roof over the entry of main house was tossed on top of roof of building. It literally was peeled back. Several trees blew down and more loosened. Storm lasted only about ? hour. REA off about 6:00. Got light plant going but it conked out about 8 p.m. Got it running again at 10:30 after much trial and error. This has been one helluva tough period for us. We are still cheerful!

7/14/68 Two of our guests came in late last night in Falls but could not contact us. They called at 7 a.m. and I went in after them. A couple of “you-all” boys. Good. I messed around island all day burning brush, etc. Much blow down. Another wild night but not bad enough to get me out of bed. Our little birds are hanging to their nest and 3 young. They inspire me!

7/15/68 To bed at 11 p.m. At midnight hell broke loose again. Wind out of west and branches flew out of trees. Waves washed over breakwater which held. Much lightning and thunder with terrific wind. At 1:30 the wind switched 180 degrees and our much feared east wind pounded in on main dock. I ran down to check boats and learned that Larson and one Cadillac on verge of swamping. I got Layna to go for help, was bailing like mad when guides came. We pulled one boat on dock and ran other around. Wind let up about 2:30. Christ!

7/16/68 All hands out fishing by 9:00. I stayed home. Decided to abandon south end of island. Scott, David and I moved lumber, pulp sticks, garbage burner, etc. to area near breakwater. The Arctic Cat alone on south end, which is barely large enough to hold it. My legs ache from being in water for more than two hours. Took our “you-all” boys to town at 2:30. An appreciative group who even expressed their feelings in writing. Buck called to ask us to go with them for dinner at Rainy Lake Lodge. Did. Really enjoyed it. Sure good people to be with. Dale is certainly one of the finest.

7/17/68 Buck picked me up at 9 a.m. and we flew to Kettle Falls to check on buoys. All in place! We flew back along south shore of Kabetogama. We aren’t the only ones suffering from an over-abundance of water. Namakan spilling over at Bear Portage and Gold Portage runs freely. Home at 10:00 to join Art and Jim raising our cat walks. Finished about 3:00 p.m. and decided to try putting entry roof back on. We got along miraculously well, about finished when the Edwards tribe showed up. Jim was up on roof and said, “Here comes six people in a boat.” I answered, “And they are all superintendents.” Doc made a beeline to where we were struggling to get the 4 X 18 section in place and immediately, before he said “hello” began telling us what to do. Said I, “Just how in hell do you suppose we got this far without you?” - and I’ll be damned if he did not take the hint. To their place for dessert. Glad to get home.