MAY 23 MONDAY DAY 29 ON THE WATER – I woke up early and walked down to the water and the water was like glass. Finally, it looked like I was going to be able to make some headway. Once loaded up I headed out and spent well over 8 hours in the kayak. There is no wind tonight and since it has warmed up the mosquitos are out in force which is something I knew was going to be the case. The ticks are also very prevalent. The coyotes are howling and the birds are singing getting ready to nest. The birds singing is by far one of the pure joys of this trip.
I know my eating is changing with it getting warmer. I will have to make some changes on how I stock up.
The kayak had some water leaks, minor but took everything out after getting camp setup and hoped I got it sealed good.
I never get tired of the sunsets, how could one?
MAY 24 TUESDAY DAY 30 ON THE WATER – Another beautiful morning as I was up before the sun was up. I had to have been on the water by 7. This is a very difficult part of the river let alone it being a lake. In a straight line I probably went 5 miles today in 9 hours but paddled a good 20 or more. There is just a lot of bends and corners. I have about 8 more days of this then in the current.
Once again the heat is taking a toll. I am trying to drink more water but have no appetite. Not a bad thing as long as what I eat is proper.
I have another good camp spot tonight right on the bank that makes it a lot easier. The carp are spawning and gorging themselves on a hatch of bugs on the water. My back is to the lake and it sounds like rapids on a river.
I did a little sewing and patching on my sleeping bag and one of the 2 new food pouches I bought to replace the ones I lost. I think these are better. I can’t wait for it to cool down. Thank heavens I have this umbrella.
One thing for sure I won’t have any trouble sleeping once it cools down and it will do so quickly once the sun goes down.
I hit the 3rd dam tomorrow. I have been wrong all along there are a total of 5 dams. Doesn’t impede me in anyway what so ever I expect to get help quickly there are a lot of fisherman in the area.
Looks like there are some thunderstorms and rain coming but I don’t see any winds that amount to anything hope that is correct. (This picture shows where I got the hell beat out of me by the Thunderstorm).
MAY 25TH WENDESDAY DAY 31 ON THE WATER – What a difference just a few hours can make. Once again if you drew a straight line on today’s momentum it was probably 5 miles but had to paddle 25. Very frustrating and extremely tiring.
Last night after 8 hours of hard paddling yesterday and I got set up and did a good job of securing the kayak and felt I was in a reasonably good protected spot with the tent. The thunderstorm hit about 10 and it came right off of the lake right at me I had no time to prepare. I had to hold the tent poles right at the top for a good 3 hours. It rained so hard and blew so fiercely that it blew the water right thru the tent material. I felt a lull so went outside pulled the tent stakes and drug the tent back across the grass into the trees where I should have put it all along.
I finally got to sleep around 2. Surprisingly enough I was up, packed up and paddling by 6:30. Clark named it Big Bend. It is a horse shoe looking part of the river/lake that is 28 miles long and you really go nowhere. A tremendous amount of paddling.
After 9 more hours of hard work today I got to the boat dock at Big Bend Dam. Within 2 hours I had gotten a lift around the dam, got things dried out, organized, taken a shower, the tent up in the State Park and was walking back to town.
Got a ride once I was up on top of the dam and went straight to the store and got some cash. Went next door and mailed another package of miscellaneous stuff to Cam’s, went next door to the casino and had a bacon cheese burger. Then went and bought a few things and got a ride back to the camp ground. Lots of people here with Memorial Day this weekend.
I am beat once again. Unfortunately, I feel like I might be contracting a cold/sore throat. I also picked up some poison ivy, must have been while I was on the island there in Pierre. It is on the back of my left hand and on both inside wrists. I don’t think it will get any worse.
I am hoping to feel somewhat refreshed in the morning. I am anxious to get to Yankton in the current on my way to St. Louis. I have about 200 miles to go to accomplish that. It looks like the Thunderstorms are going to pass this area. I am being told they will be constant daily occurrences and lots of rain. I don’t mind the rain it is the wind that is troublesome.
MAY 26 THURSDAY DAY 32 ON THE WATER – I was packed up and down the lake by 9:30. I had a good night’s sleep which initially helped greatly. I got within a couple of miles and was bucking the wind out of the south again and pulled over and called it a day. It was about 2. I was and am pooped. The throat infection that has come out of nowhere has also taken somewhat of a toll. I just finished some fettuccine with fried summer sausage in it and an ice cold milk. It was good.
About ready to pack up the kayak and get ahead of the game in the morning and prepare things for a thunderstorm.
I also think I am going to be paddling in some rain over the weekend.
I just saw my first raccoon. I have changed the way at the end of the day on how I sit in my chair. Normally one sets with their back to the shore looking out at the water. Well I now sit with my back to the water, after all I look at it all day. Here is what has happened from doing that. Now I see rabbits, squirrels, the raccoon and a variety of a species of birds I have never noticed before. Cool.
MAY 27 FRIDAY DAY 33 ON THE WATER – On the water by 7 and the breeze is blowing down river, finally. I have about 6 miles to Chamberlain. A mile from where I want to stop and get a few things an anticipated rain storm blew in and with it the wind came up river again. I just am having no luck at all. By the time I get to the boat dock I am soaked so decide to just get what I need. I also stopped at a thrift store and bought a pair of shorts, long sleeve shirt and a couple of towels, so I can dry off and put some dry clothes on. I am under a picnic shelter hoping the rain will pass and the wind will quit or turn and I will head out at least far enough to find a camp spot.
My throat infection doesn’t seem to be getting any worse. I bought some more cough syrup.
I sure do a lot walking considering this is a kayak trip.
The rain stopped and I actually went quite a ways before stopping.
