Okay, he thought, toiletries first. The Holiday gas station, he said. Then into town for a haircut. Maybe also a shave at the barber shop. I can afford it, and I have a long enough stubble, so it wouldn’t be easy with a disposable razor. And after that, the Ben Franklin store.
Back in his room with newly purchased toiletry supplies, Jack treated himself to a long, hot shower. Then dressed, he walked into town. He passed Sven and Ole’s pizzeria. Only in Minnesota. A Scandinavian pizza place. Lunch tomorrow, maybe, but something better for dinner tonight. I’ll try the Angry Trout.
A block further on, he found the Ben Franklin store. He purchased underwear, boot socks, and a long-sleeved shirt. Most of the clothing he had packed across the BWCA would stay in Minnesota, he decided. Walking back, he passed the Sivertson Gallery, an obviously up-scale shop. I’ll see if I can find something for Marilyn. After browsing the many offerings, he purchased a small Inuit soapstone carving of a seal. Leaving the shop he asked for directions to Chuck’s and made the barbershop his next stop.
Daylight was fading as Jack walked back to his motel. “Between the dark and the daylight, when the night is beginning to lower.” Jack remembered those lines from an English class. Clean, hair trimmed, beard gone, he felt civilized again.
In his room, he called Marilyn’s cell phone. “Jack,” she said excitedly, recognizing his voice. “Where are you? And how are you? And when will you be home?”
“I’m in Grand Marais, Minnesota, in a nice motel. I have a ride to Duluth tomorrow afternoon, but I probably won’t be able to get flights to Minneapolis and Cleveland until the next day. I’ll let you know.”
“Oh, Jack,… But I can’t talk long. I’m working at the library this evening, and this is a busy time.”
“Okay. I’ll call you again tomorrow as soon as I have flights booked.”
“And I’ll get off and drive to Cleveland to meet you.”
“Great. I can’t wait.”
Jack then called his father. “Dad, it’s me. I’m coming home.”
“Oh, Jack. It’s you. Thank God! You’re really coming home. Where are you? I can’t wait to see you.”
“I’m in Grand Marais, Minnesota.”
“Minnesota! Not Florida?”
“Nope. I went to Canada, not Florida. I’ll tell you all about it when I get home. But it may take a couple of days. I have to get to the Duluth airport, I guess. I have a ride lined up for tomorrow afternoon, but it will probably be the next morning before I can get a flight out.”
“Oh, Jack. Your mother will be so excited. She’s stopped drinking! And shall I call Marilyn?”
“I just did.”
“Jack, A man from the Princeton admissions office called. He’s coming to this area in September, and wants to set up an appointment with you. I have his number. I told him you were on a vacation trip and would call him when you returned. Was that okay?”
“Okay! Yeah, absolutely!”
“He’s bringing scholarship application forms with him. I’m so proud of you, Jack.” He continued, “You’ve been lost, Jack, but now you’re found. Hurry home. We’ll have a cook-out. I’ll invite the Hansons. We’ll eat and make merry.”
Afterword
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters are products of my imagination. So also, the Stavitch St. Urban Winery, Super Singh’s Store, the outfitters in Nolalu, and most of the campsites visited by Jack. On the other hand, I have visited Northeast Ohio Grand River wine district and Niagara Falls many times. I have driven across Ontario on the route followed by Jack. And I have canoed all of the waters and carried a canoe across all of the portages Jack encountered except Alpine Lake. I have seen loons and beavers, moose and bears. I have enjoyed northern lights. I have also been caught in a storm while in a canoe (but I have not capsized).
If you have canoed in the north woods, you know why I chose to write this novel. If you have not, plan to do so soon.
About the Author
Thomas M. Daniel is an emeritus professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University. During his academic career he was a specialist in pulmonary medicine and directed a research laboratory studying patients’ immune responses to tuberculosis. In his retirement years he has turned to writing. Lost in a Far Country is his second novel. His previous books focused on medical history. In addition to writing, Dr. Daniel is an avid canoeist. He has paddled his canoe on all the lakes described in his new novel, and has carried it across all of the novel’s portages.
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