55 years ago is shipped...today it floated AGAIN

On Dec. 2 1954 the Old Town Canoe Company shipped a finished 16' Otca to Welch, WV to a Doctor who gave the canoe to someone named "Susan."  I bet it arrived for Christmas.  The name "Susan" was painted on each side of the bow hull over the red painted canvas.  I wonder if Susan was his wife, daughter, friend, relative?  I would like to have seen her eyes when this fabulous gift arrived!  I bet they looked like Annas when I showed up at the Harrison Branch boat ramp Wednesday, Dec 2 to give the canoe back to her.

The wind was blowing probably over 40 mph on Tellico Lake.  I have never seen Tellico look like this before.  I thought I was at the ocean. Literal waves were being formed and would crash against the shore just like ocean waves hitting the beach.  It was raining to put icing on the cake.  However we were determined to get that boat on water!  So, at 2:00 on Dec 2 it floated for the first time in about 25+ years!!!!