May 14, 2016 – Outdoor Adventures

May 14, Day 52

It froze hard last night. It was chilly all day yesterday too and the wind didn’t make it any warmer.

Wanting to get some miles in I was up very early and paddling by about 5:45. There was a quartering headwind but not unreasonable. I must have been cruising about 3 miles an hour. Right away I started running across trees sticking out of the water where they had been flooded when the reservoir filled. It would’ve been a very rough section to night paddle.

I followed the river bank and as it turned more squarely into the wind waves started building. I ducked into a cove to put on the spray skirt to keep my boat from swamping. When I got around the next cliffy point the waves started getting a bit much, the biggest I’ve paddled in on this trip. I considered turning back for the cove but decided to push on just a bit to see if there was another spot so I wouldn’t have to backtrack. That was a good call, just round next headland was a nice little bay.

I checked out the wind predictions again. Northwest winds, and perhaps even stronger as the day went on. The river ahead was now running northwest to southeast meaning the waves would build to their maximum, with nothing to protect me from the wind or waves.

There was a winding little channel at the head of the bay. I dragged my boat up there to a spot hidden from both the river and most of the surrounding area. It was also mostly protected from the wind by the lay of the land. There was a nice flat camp spot in the grass. It was a beautiful spot and screamed “camp here!”

I’d only made about 6 miles. This wasn’t the day’s plan but you play the hand you’re dealt.

I set up camp then climbed the bluff to have a look at the river. The sun was shining. It was warm out of the wind but in the sun, chilly everywhere else. Whitecaps were rolling to the southeast, not a good day for me to be on the water. To the southwest was beautiful wild looking prairie country, dotted with a few trees but mostly grass covered. Two “paint” colored horses were feeding in the distance.

May 14 camp

A flake of flint lay at my feet. A spear point or arrowhead was once made here. A magpie flew by, another Western bird, the first I’ve seen on this trip. Another first: a mosquito, likely not the last I’ll see.

Tomorrow I’m confident I’ll make good progress. I’ll portage Big Bend dam and start working my way around the famous Big Bend of the Missouri. Colter

Lewis: Sept. 18th this day saw the first brant on their return from the north-

Trip overview and route map with position updates:

https://bucktrack.com/Lewis_and_Clark_Trail.html

May 13, 2016

I got to bed just after midnight after paddling from Chamberlain.

When I woke up hours later the wind was blowing hard again. Waves were rolling down the river and the wind was whistling through the trees. I would be taking my expected wind day off.

The good news about having the day off is that I had almost no chores to do. I snoozed, ate, and read. I’d picked up a biography in Chamberlain and it only took a few hours to read.

It was a good spot to be camped. The bluff and trees did their wind blocking job well. In a way it was good the wind was blowing so hard, because instead of thinking “I wish I was out there paddling,” I was thinking I’m glad I’m not out there paddling!”

Up to this point I’ve always managed to put in a few miles each kayaking day, this was my first full wind day off. Tomorrow I expect to put in some miles.

Clark: September 18th Tuesday 1804…The large wolves are verry numourous, they are of a light Colr. large & has long hair with Corrs fur. Some Goats of a Different Kind Wer Seen yesterday Great many Porcupin rabits & Barking Squirils in this quarter…