A St. Lawrence skiff is a rowing boat measuring between 18 and 22 feet long, about 4 feet wide in the middle, and pointed at both ends . It weighs at least a few hundred pounds and is the ideal boat for the strong currents and choppy waters of the Thousand Islands. Hughie had told me about their two-oared skiff called Helen over lunch at the picnic table. After our softball game a few days after the fishing marathon, Hughie suggested we go into town to stock up on candy and see the sights. The next morning – or maybe two mornings later – Hughie and I set off in the Helen to assert our independence. I remember joking with Hughie and saying, "We don't need a motorboat to go on the river." » We may have even composed a little song around this theme. Fact or fiction, I have no clear memory of it today. I was captive to Dad's schedule and had no way of coming and going whenever I wanted. The Bobby project was at a standstill because I was too busy playing with the Papworths to complete the work that still needed to be done. I thought rowing into town aboard the Helen would be a good trial run to see how to maneuver a skiff to a chosen destination. With Hughie showing me the ropes, I felt this would be a great learning opportunity. I remember the whole fiasco very well. Hughie and I started by paddling the back channel to get the feeling of coordinating stroking movements in unison. What “unison,” I said to myself. We clashed several times with our oars and eventually fought our way to the upper town platform. The fact that we got ashore without falling into the water was a major achievement. The skiff is much stronger and more stable than a canoe, but it rocks and moves from side to side. I got some used......middle of paper......e hardware store. As we approached the platform he said something like, “Live boys and watch those lines.” » We were asked to wait in the boat, which was fine with me. I sat in our feature bath in one of the somewhat decrepit wicker chairs and soaked up some sun while chatting with Hughie. I remember seeing several islanders walking down the platform with personalized leather mail pouches towards the post office. I saw people entering the market near the wharf and the pharmacy at the end of the block. We were near the end of the platform closest to the street. A gray lean-to with corrugated iron cladding and no walls was located at the edge of the sea wall and met the quay at a right angle. It was a bait concession stand with two tanks full of minnows. Several fishermen came to buy bait while we waited for Grandpa Papworth to return..