The Canoe

You have turned around to face the lake.

You clearly remember pulling the canoe out of the water and tying the painter to a stout trunk. Approaching the shore, you can see no evidence that the canoe was ever there.

You assume that you tied the knot wrong and that, somehow the wind has taken the canoe, you hope you can find it somewhere along the shoreline.

You think about your next logical step, choosing among entering the cabin to get out of the wind, heading west along the shore or going east instead. (For some unfathomable reason, you don't consider passing right by the cabin heading north to cross the island.)

It is frighteningly clear that the canoe is not available.

It appears you are stuck on this island.