We managed to sleep in until 8:20 today. Too late, but with how many miles we put in yesterday i guess it's OK. We took our time packing and eating breakfast and were on the water around 10:00. We planned on eating lunch at a camp called Iron Bridge about seven miles away. To my surprise, and delight, we made it there in two hours. Pretty good time for two fatigued guys after a 28 mile day. We continued on for 11 more miles, pretty short day. Six hours and 18 miles.
The river has changed a lot. We started in a narrow stream running through the woods where we went through rapids and barged through beaver dams. The river then opened up into a large curvy wetland with dead ends, swamps, and lakes. Then came another forest, then people's backyards, then more forests and more wetlands. The majority of today was wetlands. There would be a strong current then it would open up into a lake where we couldn't tell what way to go. A good tip we learned from reading accounts of other people's trips was to look at the grass on the river bottom. Whatever way it was bent was the way the current was going. This helped immensely as often times the wind was pushing the surface water upstream. We had to look to the bottom to make sure we were still going the right way.
Right now we are in a library in Bemidji (Thank you Bemidji public library!). We are taking it easy today with only 13 miles. Time for some real food and maybe some coffee (mmmmmm). The caffeine withdrawals have been rough. Headaches everyday.
Sorry there aren't pictures. We forgot the camera in the canoe. Eventually they will get posted.
Hope everyone is doing great. I miss you all!
-Sean
Long time follower, first time commenter. I just want to what you guys are doing is simply inspirational and I truly miss living with you Shane!
ReplyDeleteSo awesome to read about your progress, Sean! I'm picturing it all in my head, and you're doing a fantastic job of describing it. I was telling a group of friends at dinner tonight what you're doing, and all of them said, almost in unison, "How amazing!" Years from now you'll look back on this and remember how brave you were.
ReplyDelete"Fortune favors the brave."
ReplyDeleteWe're all there with you in spirit. Thanks for sharing your trip with all of us through your blog. So proud of you.
Tell Anders to watch out for snakes. I heard there is an abundant variety of poisonous ones out there.
ReplyDeleteHave fun! I'll be praying for your guys safe travels.
Haven't you figured out how to use the french press yet?! Or have you not set up your stove to heat up water?
ReplyDelete