Today was a day of key decisions regarding weather and patience. We stopped early today after paddling a short 25 miles. There are two reasons for this: 1) rain a cool temps anticipated this afternoon which will lead to high winds this evening and tomorrow accompanied by heavy rain tomorrow which may lead to flooding. 2) in preparation for this we wanted to stop at another John Rusky approved high wind site and set up a bomb proof camp. We stopped at the mouth of the Old White River on top of a large sand dune that has excellent wind protection. Although the forecast would have allowed us several more hours of paddling before the rain came but we didn't want to risk it, and man are we glad we didn't. Moments after getting our tarp set and tent set up it began to poor though it passed quickly. After a quick dinner we sat and enjoyed our fire and settled in for a nice early night. Tomorrow with any luck the storm won't be too bad.
Day 76
Well the morning started out kinda windy but not bad because of our location. The rain started in the morning shortly after breakfast and came on and off in wave but rained most of the day. We took Reggie for a short walk and attempted to write our blog name in huge letters on the sand but the rains soon washed them away. Aside from that we sat under the tarp enjoyed a nice fire all day, ate food and played cards. Not too bad. Before settling in for bed we sat under the tarp while the rain came down so hard our tent, and most anything more than 10ft awayand, disappear behind the thick sheets of rain. This also allowed us the opportunity to refilled our jugs with water that was coming off our tarps Love it when nature pulls up big with a potable water resupply!
Day 77
Wind struck again today! We started the day well and quickly made 25 miles. Sadly that was the end of our paddling today primarily because of head winds of about 20-25 mph, way to high to safely paddle on the lower part of the river. As we pulled into an eddy below a large sand dune I looked over and saw what appeared to be a large blackish colored log at the other side of the pool formed by the eddy. Suddenly the log slid into the water, and by log I mean a freaking alligator! "Holy crap I shouted that's an alligator!" I exclaimed which prompted Amanda, Reggie and I to evacuate the canoe quickly and pulled it ashore with lightening speed. Despite the beastly reptile we decided to stay there anyway.
Day 78
Big miles today! When all was said and done we made 57 miles on the day and we're still in camp by about 430. Although it was great to make such good mileage the best part of the day was during Reggie's 3pm break/walk. While walking across a monstrous sand bar we came over a small hill and found a huge flock of River Pelicans. As we stood there they became wise of our presence and took off. They flew directly over head circling a couple times and we're off to find A human free sandbar to sun themselves on or do whatever else it is that River Pelicans do.
Day 79
So we woke up today bright and early at 5am planning to make it as close to Vicksburg, MS as possible so that we would be able to do a mini resupply the next day. We had initially planned to meet up with a river angel named Layne. Sadly however he was going to be out of town on a paddling trip. As such we broke camp early and by 1130 we had gone about 30 miles. While stopping for lunch I checked the map on my phone and while doing so got a message from Layne about a river angel named Triesch who lived in Lake Providence, Louisiana. I quickly checked my map and found that we were actually only 5 miles away. I contacted Triesch immediately and he offered to let us shower, laundry, take us shopping, and that we could stay at his place. What a score! Although we could have easily done a resupply on our own the next day in Vicksburg and as such made more miles on the day, we couldn't pass up a shower or a chance to do laundry. We finished lunch and made our way to the tiny chute that lead to Lake Providence boat landing. Thirty minutes later he arrived with a huge flat bed trailer on the back of his truck. He backed the trailer into the water partially submerging it and told me just to paddle up. It worked great. Within minutes we were driving down a small country highway with Amanda in the cab with him and Reggie and I in the bed of the truck. As we zoomed through the countryside we hit several bumps and I watched one of our small snapping turtle shells (which turned out to be the one that was in the best condition) fly out of the boat and roll into the ditch. Anyway that afternoon at Triesch's house we did laundry and showered. While cleaning out the canoe I came across what I've fear all along. A rock had punctured the bottom of our boat. I quickly pulled it out and much to my relief found that had just embedded itself into the Kevlar. I quickly pulled out our patch kit and placed a small but bomb proof patch over the hole. I was pretty sure it didn't go all the way through but was not wanting to risk it. After that we both showered, and washed our clothes and then sat on the back porch and watch as the sun went down. When he returned from work and announced that we would be meeting his family for dinner at a local country club (which is really just a southern version of a supper club with out the lake). Before eating we did our resupply and Triesch brought us a phone cord for Amandas phone. When we arrived at the country club we were greeted with big smiles, laughs and wonderful conversation. That night went long but it was all worth while. Tomorrow we will put back on and hopefully take advantage of the tail wind and make some good miles.
Day 80
This morning started out rough. I fell in the water at the boat launch and one of the compression straps on our portage pack ripped off! Surprisingly I stayed calm although I will admit was a bit snippy. The rest of the morning went smoothly and we were making great mileage thanks to a stiff but safe tail wind. By 11 we made 25 miles and were eager to make up for our short day yesterday. This however was not meant to be. As we rounded a corner the once gentle tail wind picked up significantly and the river was now filled with large white caps. We moved forward quickly and waves rolled up behind pushing us forward and then past us which through off the stability of the boat and made paddling tenuous and potentially dangerous. The gust were definitely 25-30mph. After about 30 minutes of paddling I decided that we needed to pull the plug and get off the water. After stopping around the corner the winds had calmed down so we decided to keep going unless they became as big as they had been before. Amanda was clearly on edge but willing to keep going. As we paddled on the winds picked up but still not as bad as before. As we paddled on however the winds intensified and the chop became worse. Amanda could no longer fight back the fear of the boat tipping or the wind causing our boat to tip. We pulled over and looked at a potential spot to stop. We decided it was a no go and check a sand bar 10 yards away, also a no go. After debating what to do I suggested we go just a bit further to get out of the wind and stop. Although frazzled and in and out of tears she agreed. We pushed off into the wind and an afternoon full of stress and strong emotions was compounded as my phone fell out of my pocket (which it had spent virtually every day in for the past 80 days) and plop into the river! In shock I threw down my paddle said a couple choice words and then surprisingly was ok with it. Amanda however was not because it meant we might had just lost a large number of pictures from our trip, the majority infact! Anyway we made it around he corner and got camp set up. Amanda was cold and wet so I told her to just set up the tent and crawl into her bag and I'd take care of the rest. While I cooked she called Verizon and got a new phone ordered for me and arranged to have it sent to my Moms house. Long day.
We had to pull the boat up quickly at lunch because some fisher man didn't slow down. We would of had a boat full of water.
Day 81
Frost this morning for the first time.
Today was great. Slept in a bit got a good distance past Vicksburg but not sure how far since our maps were also on daves phone. Thank goodness,
Triesch got Amanda that phone cord when Amanda called Verizon they assured her we could recover those pictures online! Another big thanks toDebbie for helping get the paperwork done to have the phone replaced!
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