Long series of events, perfect storm. Got on the barge to head out and noticed the fuel door was open. ???? Not typing anything else about that. Headed out and got halfway across west Matty and the engine bogged to a slow death. Definitely a fuel issue. My bud squeezed that primer bulb like he was milking a cow. It was tough getting prime and we kept going for 200 yards and it would big and die again. The final death was 1/4 mile from the island harbor. Friends came and got us. We figured we would deal with it later.

The 30 minute crossing turned out to be 3 hours. So now there was no time to build a scaffold on the side of the house to hook up the wood stove chimney pipe. 38 degrees was a cold night in the house. Got up to go hunting and we were restricted to two walk in ponds. What we think is early isn’t early for others. We stepped on the porch and could see headlights in the spot we were going to hunt. Well we had a good breakfast and no hunt.

After daylight we went to the other pond to set up a blind for the evening. Get there in the evening and some jack wagon parked his boat directly 20 yards in front of the blind. No doubt intentional. We had a good supper! We managed to get two hunts in but the birds wanted no part of the back lakes.

Called the tow boat and that dude was Johnny on the spot.

That’s a pic of tha house from the blind. We are all going to die but it won’t be from starvation on the island. That fire on the second night was heaven sent.

For you Evinrude Etec people listen up. Tow boat Chuck asked what’s wrong with the boat. I said water in the fuel, had to crank it so many times we burned up the starter. I just replaced the starter just over a year ago. He gave me a tip about Etec, the water pressure regulator leaks a very fine mist under the hood and the first thing it gets to is the starter. Got home popped the hood and sure as all, water. The regulator was leaking. They are a beach to find as Evinrude does not make them anymore. Pm me if you want to know what I found.

So there was the leaking regulator, lots of water in the fuel, starter and finally found the fuel pick up tube had turned brittle from alcohol in the fuel and finally snapped off.

I didn't fire a shot either...but man I envy the view of the house...to be able to hunt and see your house in the background...I had that at the No "T" Ranch, but sold the ranch a few years ago...

Its been a dream of mine for many many years. It was really nice to be able to see that porch light on. I knew the generator hadn't run out of fuel yet. My brother told me something and I questioned him back. He said you always talked about having a camp with a wood stove and an all day pot of gumbo. I asked when I said that and he replied years ago and all the time since then. I reckon I just had to lose enough of my mind to take on this big of a project.