Stampact Challenge

A Ftorek tradition that all began with cousin Sam's wedding in 2003 was revisited the other day by a more intimate yet distantly-related group. Under usual circumstances the Stampact Challenge will arise at a large family event, such as a wedding or a reunion. More recently, however, members of the family (particularly Anna and I) have been challenging friends to compete and possibly break Sam's record of one hour and 17 minutes.

Saturday was the fateful day. Corliss and myself vs. Warner, Skwar and Daly. After borrowing 5 pairs of retired sneakers from Wendy and clan, Rob, with sincere intensity, recited the rules and gave us the run-down before we were on our way. The idea, for those unfamiliar, is to grab a canoe, paddle out to Stampact island, less than a half mile from shore, and proceed to race around the island (which we calculated later to be 2.5 miles around) with one foot in the water at all times. Sounds harmless enough until you reach land and realize that the water is chest-level in most places and the bottom of the lake is covered with rocks, which would explain the scattered, vary-sized welts and scrapes on your legs.

Team Corliss and Dana finished at 1:27 while Warner and Skwar (who had a 'man down' as Frank would say) were being blown off course for the next 30 minutes. The wind and the waters may have been unfavorable that day or the competitors may have been a bit hungover but who's to know? Strategies are underway for next year's face-off as we speak and hopefully we can get some other Ftoreks and McCabes in the mix as well.

***Another birthday shout-out is an order at this time. Chris Corliss liss liss liss (that'd be the echo factor people). The big quarter century mark. Oh, how they grow up so fast! Happy birthday C-Bear.***