The Storm

Henry then took out a long cord with lead sinkers tied ever so often and slipped one end down into the clear water. The cord continued to sink and then stopped. “About twenty three feet deep. I have a sinker tied off on this cord every ten feet,” Henry said, and then pulled the cord back out of the water and put it back into the bottom of the boat. I was impressed with his ingenuity. Henry spoke up again with a warning, “Don’t fall off the walkway, Son. I don’t want to have to fish you out. Take your gear and get the shots you need and let’s high tail it out of here. You make it quick and let’s not stay any longer than we have to.” “Yes Sir,” I replied. And after tying up the boat, I grabbed my camera and tripod and headed up the partially submerged walkway. “You be careful about walkin' through those submerged parts," Henry warned. “Gators can glide right over those areas and have you for lunch. I don’t want to explain to anybody how I ev en allowed you to go through with this, and then get yourself killed on top of that!” “Me either, Henry. I’ll be careful for sure,” I responded. I made my way up towards the first submerged part of the walkway and sloshed my way through. "Good so far," I thought, as I kept a watchful eye for any alligators that might make their way towards me. The rope handrails gave me the jitters, as they would move back and forth with my every handhold. I was now walking in the water on the submerged boards under my feet, pulling my way forward with my camera and tripod held high in the air. I amazed myself at my own boldness to take this risk, but this place compelled me to move forward.

One foot after another, one more grab at the ropes, and I sloshed my way to the door of the out-building. The water

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