United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I've seen a few other posts make reference to Ralph and I swamping our canoe, so I thought I'd tell the story from my perspective. Nancy frequently makes fun of my perfectly logical theories which she calls "Birk Theories". Whenever I take known facts and apply common sense and logic to them, the result is a Birk Theory, maybe not 100% true, but sensible to me.

So here's my theory of what happened Sunday afternoon. When we decided to go conoeing, I thought Nancy and I would be in one canoe, Ralph and Kathleen in the other, and Judy joining one of us. First fact - before we get there, the three BPI women decide they will go together leaving Ralph and I in the other canoe. Second fact - I really wanted to take more stable kayaks instead of canoes, but when we got there the kayaks were all out. Third fact - we were told earlier that canoe #3 was the least stable. Since the women grabbed their canoe first, guess which one was left for Ralph and I - #3!

So I think the whole thing was planned ahead of time, possibly by Cathy Kanter, with help from camp staff. They arranged for the kayaks to be out and for Ralph and I to end up with canoe #3. We were going fine while the women seemed to be going in circles and couldn't even get out of the inner harbor area. Ralph and I took a few pictures of them and then paddled on outside the harbor. As we were turning to see if the women had made it out of the harbor, I think the camp staff arranged for a bigger boat to go by and create waves. These waves hit us broadside and were just enough to tip our balance so that we couldn't recover, and over we went. We were quickly on our feet in the waist-deep water and grabbed the cameras right away, but it was too late. I think they're toast.

Anyway, that's my Birk Theory, and I'm sticking to it! I'm glad everyone got a laugh from our misadventure. It was amazing how quickly the news spread throughout the camp, maybe another indication that it was all planned! And now I guess we'll be getting the new camera that we had been thinking about.

now wait a minute.... I was on the deck of the boathouse watching this go down....

motorboat theory??? yearightsure... where was that motorboat? you guys were too close to the shore

kayak unavailable theory? there were plenty of single kayaks sitting there because I was contemplating if any of them were big enough for me (thank God it was just a contemplation)

so I have some more Litz theories to add....

(1) the camera theory - you really wanted to get a new camera and your wives wouldn't let you so this was the easy way to handle the problem

(2) laundry theory - you didn't pack enough clothes and needed to do a wash but couldn't find the laundromat so you figured that this was one way to do it

and finally

(3) the Loch Nes monster theory - we caught a glimpse of him that night on the cruise

what a hoot it was watchin you guys tip!!
Thanks for the memory!

-francine

Tim, this is so funny! I'm still laughing. Kath, get the visual???

I only WISH I had thought of this myself....Too bad I can't take the credit! Next time, I'll be sure to schedule in some pranks to go along with our camp experience! Cathy

This is a phenomenol way of thought! tim either way if your right or francine is you will be getting a new camera,your clothes were washed,"nessie" has been found and now cathy is turning to the dark side wow this camp was a definite plus.

Tim

I am still laughing. Ralph was sure it was "nessie" that is why those on shore did not see the wave...

right!

cathy... I have the visual... and boy is it funny...

Thanks Francine... I like your version the best...

Tony... wow what a peace maker -

I could not wait for my cell phone to work to call the kids and tell them, of course, the girls were rolling on the floor... we all got a big laugh...

Kath

Hmmm, well .... I'm just home from camp myself. Tim flew home, I drove the truck home with all the camp leftovers (no not the food, I'd never bring that home, never fear, but the rest of the books, and shirts, and handouts).

I see Tim has been busy paving the way with his 'theories'. What he didn't tell you is that once he arrives at what he considers a common sense conclusion, then it becomes true. And now that it is in print, well, you all know that once something is printed, it becomes true.

All I know is that I will treasure that moment of hearing him shout, "Oh no, we're going in" for the rest of my life. It matters not to me HOW he and Ralph took a dunk in the lake, just that they did and we, the BPI YaYa Sisters, did NOT.

Nancy

This is so funny..... sorry we left early and missed out!

Way to funny, something we will laugh about until next camp and beyond. Love all the comments. Next time Tim and Ralph go out on a lake we will have to send a CNN camera crew.

Hugs to you all,

Karen

Now, that is a man's analytical mind at work for you!
There just has to be a logical explanation and it certainly wasn't either of your faults...
I just missed it, too. Had I stayed a few minutes longer, I'd of been there with camera in hand because I took your pictures as you were leaving the dock!

Tim and Nancy, you both gave me a good laugh with your posts here, all before getting my first cup of coffee. That's quite an accomplishment!

Peggy