May 17 Tuesday – For the 2nd night I had not put up the tent. The mice drove me nuts. I put the tent down, then the pad and then my bag. They ran up and down the side of the bag on the tent. Then they would run over the bag. Couple of times I woke up one was pulling on my hair. Quite an experience.
MAY 17 TUESDAY DAY 27 ON THE WATER – I woke up to a beautiful morning. No wind at all. Lake was smooth as I have seen it. Once packed up, I shaved and had granola with yogurt for breakfast.
I paddled until about 2. The last two night’s fitful sleeps had me tired. I got camp set up and took a nap. It was a good night’s sleep because it was very quiet.
Just before I got out of bed this morning I heard two geese talking to each other.
The 1st goose said to the 2nd goose: Looks like Fred and Wilma didn’t make it back.
The 2nd goose said: Oh Oh.
The 1st goose continues: Ya, Fred told me they were going to stop at Summer Lake there at Lake In The Dunes. I told him that probably wasn’t a good idea. I said, you know those guys down there couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn if they were 10 feet from it, but they buy so many shot gun shells, they might just get lucky.
2nd goose says: Well that must have been what happened. You know, it is too bad, Fred and Wilma been coming back here for 10 years.
1st goose says: I am just going to fly right on by this fall just like I did last fall.
MAY 18 WEDNESDAY DAY 28 ON THE WATER – It started out to be a calm day. There was a breeze out of the south which was the direction I am going. By noon winds were 20 MPH plus in my face and too much. I went to the bank, got out and walked and pulled the kayak along the bank for probably 4 miles. I did this for 2 reasons. I didn’t just want to sit there or give up on the day. Plus, paddling would have worn me out more than I already was.
I finally stopped walking, took a break and decided to head across the lake about 3 miles into the wind. 3 hours later I am across, beat up and tired. As tired at the end of the day as I have been on the trip.
If you look to the left center you will see the little buck laying along the bank.
Obviously the scenery is constantly changing.
This is very beautiful country.
I get the kayak out of the water, grabbed my wallet, phone and walking stick and headed to town. It is about 5.
It is a good 1 ½ mile walk. I don’t mind because after sitting for as long as I did it gets things working again. I got to a little pizza place and had a salad and pizza. Then to the White Buffalo grocery store and got a few things.
On my way back I stopped and talked to the range fire office and find out this wind is going to blow like this and up to 40MPH for several days so I have accepted the fact I am going nowhere until the wind changes direction or stops.
Once back and even more tired after carrying a bag of ice and what I had bought I get camp set up, I sit in my chair and ponder. I am tired for the 1st time and feel it. My hands are very sore from grasping the paddle and along with the challenges I have with my thumb joints they are cramping up. This last trip across the lake against the wind has taken its toll.
I have an idea to make things a little easier on me but going to sleep on the idea.
MAY 19, 20, 21 THURSDAY/FRIDAY/SATURDAY– I slept in because it is still blowing. I got squared away, shaved, put the only set of clean clothes I have on and had a breakfast of gravy on some English muffins, orange juice and a breakfast roll. Then I headed back in to town.
I stopped at the Tribal Road Department to test my idea. I asked the Superintendent if he knew anybody who might give me and my kayak/gear a ride down to Pierre which is 150 plus miles downriver and that would put me around the 2nd dam and eliminate some of the most difficult paddling of the trip. He calls Albert and Albert’s son Vance is going to pick me up Sat morning with his truck and car hauler and take me. It will probably cost me some money but worth it. Gets me back on the water, the next lake is good size but the last one is small and the way I feel I think it was a œgood idea.
I continued on and spent some time at Sitting Bull’s grave then walked another good 2 miles to the Sitting Bull College and I am here at the library. I had to run down the College’s IT guy, Nick to help me figure out some things with this new Notebook and he did.
So for now this gets me up to date. Since the cable for the Camera was in the little yellow dry bag that floated away for now I can’t download any pictures. I am going to see if the card in the camera will fit into this notebook and then will have the most recent pictures. It doesn’t.
I was very tired last night, Thursday night. I am sure it is the carryover from paddling so hard across the lake Wends afternoon. I slept very sound. I got things organized as much as I can, Vance called and confirmed he is picking me up at 10 tomorrow morning Sat. I have walked back into town and called the public transportation on the Reservation and I am at the library again. I am going up to the visitor’s center then will head back and relax the rest of the day. I should be back on the water Sun morning, I hope.
