Sullivan River and the Rip Tide

Leaving Mosquito Lake and head'n down to Sullivan River, we rode with gutsy Leo in his 14-foot Boston Whaler. Ya'll remember Leo? He killed the griz that attacked him in that compromised position.

Leo was in charge, only me and Butch to start the cutt'n. Boy that boat ride in that rip tide about beat us to death. Leo had his D-6 there and stiff leg (walk logs to tie the log raft to) all set up. Van truck with all his tools, chokers, etc, emergency food and in the corner a 30-06. Leo sezs, "Boys it's loaded if ya need it."

The company had put up a plywood shack for us cause law sez must have shelter. I told Butch it was better than that boat ride. We'd camp out.

There was a huge griz track on the beach.

Leo rode that boat every day till more bushlers showed up with Leos' boy and a mechanic to build the log raft. Leo showed up with a cabin boat-6 man. The only problem was there was now 10 and the mechanic weighed 250 pounds.

Well sir, came time me and Butch thought a night in town with a real meal and shower might be nice. That Sullivan River was cold.

Every body piled in and Leo hit the throttle. Couldn't get the boat up on plane cause of be'n over loaded. So we putted along. I noticed the mechanic had a death grip on the cushion he sat on.

No life perservers!!

Big Bill, a bushler, was hugg'n an empty 5 gallon can. Come to find out an empty can once saved his life when their boat sank. He sezs that ya got 20 minutes to make it to shore in that water.

Anyway, we tossed our clothes in the local laundromat. And left the mat for the cafe for a real meal.

While enjoy'n our vittles, I looked out the window and there across the road was a small skidster on its nose with the wheels turn'n. And some old guy was under it!! I yelled at the waitress to call someone and out we went. By then others had arrived to help but the guy was in tough shape. I don't think he made it. Back then they didn't have those safety features.

With that under control we headed to the laundry. An Indian gal, who worked there, had our clothes all dried on the table.

She sezs, "Boys, you need to separate your whites from your work clothes." Butch looked at me and sezs, "Terrillion you're married, you should know better."

I don't do laundry.