Well 6 days now and can’t complain about any of them, the kayaks still float : ) It has rained everyday except today (though it is not over) but nothing extreme. Paddling through the Gates of the Rockies was amazing, I think we paddled twice the entire time, mainly just drifting, gazing, and trying to convince ourselves that this is really happening.
Tom and I seem to get along great, we are completely different from one another but share one common interest – we want an adventure, and that we are getting.
Few quick stories and then I have to go hike back across the town of Cascade (population 800) Montana to the river where my kayak is waiting – hopefully that is.
David Miller wrote a guide book for paddling the Missouri River 5 years ago and we have been eyeballing that at night. Yesterday I was on the river by 6am and paddled 16 miles through Holter Lake to hit a restaurant he recommended. It took 3 hours, only to find out it had closed 3 years ago. So instead I stopped at the local marina and waited for Tom to catch up (we paddle apart sometimes but always find ourselves stopping at the same point eventually), a man bought me breakfast (2 bean burritos and a powerade), I met a guy who lives within 3 miles of my home in FL (I’ll see him next season at the restaurant I work at, weird huh?) From there it was a 20minute paddle across the river to the portage point at the Dam where the Forman “Scott Doroty” gave Lil Sydney and I a ride to the other side. After that it was fly fisherman territory for many miles. This part of the river has one of the densest populations of blue ribbon trout in the world at an estimated 3,800 fish per square mile. The water is crystal clear. We paddled 16 more miles in hopes of reaching a lodge Miller had recommended – it was closed as well, but a man working on the place gave me a ride into town with him last night to a local bar and had a burger and some micro brewed beer. One of the local fly fisherman came in and sat two stools away and said to the bartender, “you won’t believe what I saw today. These two fellers in kayaks are paddlen from three forks to the gulf.” It was a quick point from the bartender to my direction, and the guy turned to face me and I said, “that’s me.” –and then the conversations began… Great time at a bar in a little town I would have never known existed.
Tom and I took the COLDEST baths of our lives the other day. That’s all I really want to say about that.
Realistically I could never complain about anything that happens on this river, it is still “life on a river” and that has a perfection all in itself.
Ps…every night I try to text my friend Tommy Owen with a quick summary of the day and our GPS location, he posts that on my Facebook account. So if you would like more frequent posts you can find it there, otherwise I’ll send some more in the next town.
The library lady is kicking us out so I cannot upload photos sorry….honestly sorry
-Charles
Tom =
are on our sixth day and we just pulled into the town of Cascade. This is the first time that I’ve had reception. Overall teh trip has had amaxing weather. Two days ago was the gates of the mountains, which was extremely cool. Voices echo for quite a while in this section. Its also a nasty section when speed boaters zip through and kick up a wake you cant do anything about. We got out and explored one of the caves in the rock walls. Its cool to think that Lewis and Clark saw these same hillsides. Last night we camped on one of their sights, which was neat. Yesterday had clear shallow water that brought the fly fisherman out in droves.
I can’t describe the smallenss one feels when surrounded by the Rockies and the sky for miles and miles around. Just being in the library to type tyis is claustrophobia inducing. Paddling with Norm Miller was awesome. I am deeply glad to have had him for the first two days…. and the food he brought. . I don’t know when I’ll get a meal like that again.
The wind today is crazy. It it werent to our backs, paddling woudl probably be a waste of time. As it is we have been speeding down the riber (around 6mph). The occasional bend makes it a headwind though and forces respect for Mother Nature.
I will admit I was quite skeptical about taking on a partnerin this endeavor despite all the advantages it held. Fortunately these worries have been releived. Charles has a level head and a greate attitude and has been a joy to paddle with. I did laugh a bit when he didnt realize that tents shouldnt go on thistles. But I’m sure that will be returned when we see copper heads and water moccasins and whateverelse else we find down south.,
Well we’re getting kicked out of the library. I would suggest looking at Charles Vaught’s Facebook for some pictures if your interested.
Enjoy your day wherever you are, I know I will. See you on the river!!!
Tom Bailey