We left our odd little campsite early with only a shake for breakfast. The rest of the three and a half miles to the Potlatch Dam was pretty straight forward.
The landing at the dam was really nice with a little recreation usage card for us to fill out our names, group size ect. The other side of it was certainly less than nice. We contributes it to the low water, but we ended up havering to carry the canoe over a pier of large, jagged rocks.
After the dam, it was a quick mile or so to get to our the Kiwanis Park. This park would serve as our landing to resupply in Brainerd. We didn't find water on site, and had to walk to miles to get grocery's and Lily chow. The walk back was a challenge, but the 17lbs. bag we normally get has 20% More, Absolutly FREE! Good for value, bad for walking.
We got back to the canoe and no one had stolen our stuff; we were a little nervous. The next ten miles were pleasant as we made our way to Crow Wing State Park. There we filled up our water and discovered that they had showers! We took the opportunity for hot water and charged the phones a bit.
The watercraft campsite was another mile down the river, so we left with only a half hour of daylight. The way the park was layed out, the watercraft campsite was right next to a group campsite. When we got ther, a tent was already set up. Maggie talked to them and 60 more people were coming. We ended up camping across the river on another spot that normally floods. Dry cracked soil with plenty of wood was the makings of a pleasant night.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Day 14: W 9/26- Lunch Excitement
We got up a little bit late, but started on the river at 8:00. While we were going to shoot for a campsite 38 miles away, we had decided last night to aim at a little piece of state land 31 miles out.
It was a fairly ineventful morning, saw a few cows grazing by the river. The problems started after brunch. We stopped on this little delta sand/mud island created, by the Aitkin County Flood Diversion Channel.
It was a nice break. A mink came up to check us out, peeking from behind rocks. Lily didn't notice for a long time, but nearly exploded when she finally did. When the mink came up the grass for a better look. Lily jumped the mud and water and started chasing the little guy in a very clumsy Scooby Doo style. When I started to go after her, I sank up to my knees in thick clay.
After the lunchtime excitement and washing my pants that were covered on clay, we were back to paddling. The water level seemed to go down again as large rock beds and boulders started to emerge. We confirmed that this theory when we reached the Highway 6 Bridge. It had a level gauge, low is under 3.5'and below 2.5' was suppose to mark poor boating conditions. The water was just below zero, poor boating would certainly be ahead.
We made it through a little frustrated and slow, but we finally reached Pine Rivers outlet. This marked a small section of state land that we would camp on that night.
We camped right on the beach next to our canoe. The soil was a good mix of sand and pea gravel, which was a nice change from sticky, clay mud. We We had an hour of sunlight left and used it to journal, blog, and read a little Huck Fin before bed.
It was a fairly ineventful morning, saw a few cows grazing by the river. The problems started after brunch. We stopped on this little delta sand/mud island created, by the Aitkin County Flood Diversion Channel.
It was a nice break. A mink came up to check us out, peeking from behind rocks. Lily didn't notice for a long time, but nearly exploded when she finally did. When the mink came up the grass for a better look. Lily jumped the mud and water and started chasing the little guy in a very clumsy Scooby Doo style. When I started to go after her, I sank up to my knees in thick clay.
After the lunchtime excitement and washing my pants that were covered on clay, we were back to paddling. The water level seemed to go down again as large rock beds and boulders started to emerge. We confirmed that this theory when we reached the Highway 6 Bridge. It had a level gauge, low is under 3.5'and below 2.5' was suppose to mark poor boating conditions. The water was just below zero, poor boating would certainly be ahead.
We made it through a little frustrated and slow, but we finally reached Pine Rivers outlet. This marked a small section of state land that we would camp on that night.
We camped right on the beach next to our canoe. The soil was a good mix of sand and pea gravel, which was a nice change from sticky, clay mud. We We had an hour of sunlight left and used it to journal, blog, and read a little Huck Fin before bed.
Day 13: T 9/25- Aitkin post office
We had to make 23 miles to Aitkin and get into town before the post office closed, so we were up early and out by 8 or so. The paddling was easy and it was a nice, warm-ish day.
We paddled pretty much continuously to get there on time and got in around 2:30. We stopped at a small state campground and tied the canoe off a muddy, steep bank. It was about a mile walk into town and the park seemed safe enough, do we both went and brought dog along.
We found the post office no problem and picked up the box mom and dad had sent. It had a doggie blanket for Lily, some extra , warm pants, a pocket saw, tarp and some dried cherries. Thanks!!!
The gal at the counter said there wasn't much for grocery stores within walking distance, just a few gas stations that might have the basics. We tried the first two, with no luck and on the way to the third found a pharmacy. They had most of what we needed for cheap, so it was a good stop. On the way back we hit up the local bakery and picked up some day-old doughnuts as a treat.
We had thought about going a bit farther since it was such a short day, but after the trip to town we were about ready to call it quits. There wasn't any body else at the park, so we grabbed a spot on the sly and pretended we had registered.
There wasn't much for firewood and we didn't want to attract attention anyway, so we busted out the camp stove to make some spaghetti for dinner. We called home, read a bit of Huck Finn and called it a night.
Sometime during the day we also passed this almost, but not quite, finished beaver chew.
We paddled pretty much continuously to get there on time and got in around 2:30. We stopped at a small state campground and tied the canoe off a muddy, steep bank. It was about a mile walk into town and the park seemed safe enough, do we both went and brought dog along.
We found the post office no problem and picked up the box mom and dad had sent. It had a doggie blanket for Lily, some extra , warm pants, a pocket saw, tarp and some dried cherries. Thanks!!!
The gal at the counter said there wasn't much for grocery stores within walking distance, just a few gas stations that might have the basics. We tried the first two, with no luck and on the way to the third found a pharmacy. They had most of what we needed for cheap, so it was a good stop. On the way back we hit up the local bakery and picked up some day-old doughnuts as a treat.
We had thought about going a bit farther since it was such a short day, but after the trip to town we were about ready to call it quits. There wasn't any body else at the park, so we grabbed a spot on the sly and pretended we had registered.
There wasn't much for firewood and we didn't want to attract attention anyway, so we busted out the camp stove to make some spaghetti for dinner. We called home, read a bit of Huck Finn and called it a night.
Sometime during the day we also passed this almost, but not quite, finished beaver chew.
Day 12: M 9/24- Palisade, MN
The morning was pleasant. The weather was nice and scenery lovely. We made quick miles for the 15-16 to get to Palisade.
We pulled up to the access between two bridges (pics) and found a little Aitkin County Park. It had half a dozen RV spots and a pavilion that we immediately took advantage of to start charging the phones. While we waited, I took a leisurely stroll into the cute little town. The roads leading to main street were one lane in which I didn't see any cars, but numerous bikes and a 4-wheeler cruising around. On main street, I caught them on sidewalk washing day. Everybody was very friendly and helpful. The gas station doubled as a grocery store in which I was able to restock a lot of our supplies for a reasonable price.
Once I returned to Maggie and Lily and waited a little longer for the phones, it was back to the river for another eight miles to get to the Willow River Campsite.
A family was already there, so we decided to camp across Willow River, right on a point that looked like it normally flooded. The ground was smooth and the firewood ample. We were going to go visit our neighbors for a bit; but by the time we got set up, most of their party was in the process of leaving.
All in all, it was a pleasant day and a pleasant evening.
We pulled up to the access between two bridges (pics) and found a little Aitkin County Park. It had half a dozen RV spots and a pavilion that we immediately took advantage of to start charging the phones. While we waited, I took a leisurely stroll into the cute little town. The roads leading to main street were one lane in which I didn't see any cars, but numerous bikes and a 4-wheeler cruising around. On main street, I caught them on sidewalk washing day. Everybody was very friendly and helpful. The gas station doubled as a grocery store in which I was able to restock a lot of our supplies for a reasonable price.
Once I returned to Maggie and Lily and waited a little longer for the phones, it was back to the river for another eight miles to get to the Willow River Campsite.
A family was already there, so we decided to camp across Willow River, right on a point that looked like it normally flooded. The ground was smooth and the firewood ample. We were going to go visit our neighbors for a bit; but by the time we got set up, most of their party was in the process of leaving.
All in all, it was a pleasant day and a pleasant evening.
Day 11: Sn 9/23- Bath time
As we were about to fall asleep Saturday night we finally thought to check the maps to see where we were heading the next day. Unfortunately our options were too short, 21 miles, or too long, 36 miles. As we were half asleep already, 21 miles seemed like a pleasant break and we left it at that. The next morning the alarm went off at 7, like usual, but we kept right on sleeping. By the time we roused ourselves it was close to 8 and our chances of doing 36 miles were slim to none anyway.
So, we got underway leisurely and left close to 10, aiming for Scott's Rapids campsite. We realized too late that this set us up for a string of shorter days due to the placement of dnr campsites along this stretch of the river. Oh well, we figured we could make up for those few 20-25 mile days down a ways.
The day didn't take long at all and the river presented no real challenges. We were paddling through mostly farmland and spotted a few cows down by the water, but not a whole lot more. We did note that we had been seeing an absurd number of bald eagles each day.
Since we had such a short, and warm, day, we decided it was time for another bath once we got to camp. The site was thankfully mud free, along a rocky stretch. Aaron made a fire as soon as we got there, we changed into our suits and pretty quickly decided it wasn't nearly as warm out as we had thought. The water was chilly, to say the least and we went as quick as possible to avoid brain freeze and other unpleasantness. I had big plans of washing some clothes, but the ten minutes it took to wash me was more than enough time in the water. We hightailed it back to shore to shiver by the fire.
So, we got underway leisurely and left close to 10, aiming for Scott's Rapids campsite. We realized too late that this set us up for a string of shorter days due to the placement of dnr campsites along this stretch of the river. Oh well, we figured we could make up for those few 20-25 mile days down a ways.
The day didn't take long at all and the river presented no real challenges. We were paddling through mostly farmland and spotted a few cows down by the water, but not a whole lot more. We did note that we had been seeing an absurd number of bald eagles each day.
Since we had such a short, and warm, day, we decided it was time for another bath once we got to camp. The site was thankfully mud free, along a rocky stretch. Aaron made a fire as soon as we got there, we changed into our suits and pretty quickly decided it wasn't nearly as warm out as we had thought. The water was chilly, to say the least and we went as quick as possible to avoid brain freeze and other unpleasantness. I had big plans of washing some clothes, but the ten minutes it took to wash me was more than enough time in the water. We hightailed it back to shore to shiver by the fire.
Day 9: F 9/21- Nothin' much
According to the weather, this was supposed to be another chilly, rainy day. We were all thrilled, especially dog. Luckily, it wasn't too bad, though we did don our rain bibs just in case.
There was supposed to be a river level gauge under the co. Rd. 441 bridge, but we didn't see it. We just figured the river was low, as it had been for, well, all of it.
We had a short, rather uneventful day of 23 miles and stopped at the Swimming Bear campsite. We had managed to stay dry for most of the day and were happy to have made it before the wind and rain started up. The site's landing was about 30' upstream of the site itself and there was a steep path up and then over to get to the site. And the mud! The landing was a soupy concoction of what seemed to be mostly axle grease and bird poop that made unloading a dream.
Since we had ended quite early, around 5, we had big plans for journaling, blogging and hanging out, but shortly after we arrived the sprinkles got there too. We ended up cooking dinner under some trees and staying fairly well sheltered (dog hid in the tent cave, of course) but sought refuge pretty early. Since the site was on a ledge overlooking the water, it was pretty neat watching the wind play over the river. And every gust of wind brought down a sprinkle of yellow leaves that settled on the current.
As we were bedding down, it became obvious pretty quick that the tent wasn't exactly what you'd call water tight, which is exactly what a tent should be called, IMHO. But we did what we could to tighten it up and were thankful that the weather was supposed to clear soon.
There was supposed to be a river level gauge under the co. Rd. 441 bridge, but we didn't see it. We just figured the river was low, as it had been for, well, all of it.
We had a short, rather uneventful day of 23 miles and stopped at the Swimming Bear campsite. We had managed to stay dry for most of the day and were happy to have made it before the wind and rain started up. The site's landing was about 30' upstream of the site itself and there was a steep path up and then over to get to the site. And the mud! The landing was a soupy concoction of what seemed to be mostly axle grease and bird poop that made unloading a dream.
Since we had ended quite early, around 5, we had big plans for journaling, blogging and hanging out, but shortly after we arrived the sprinkles got there too. We ended up cooking dinner under some trees and staying fairly well sheltered (dog hid in the tent cave, of course) but sought refuge pretty early. Since the site was on a ledge overlooking the water, it was pretty neat watching the wind play over the river. And every gust of wind brought down a sprinkle of yellow leaves that settled on the current.
As we were bedding down, it became obvious pretty quick that the tent wasn't exactly what you'd call water tight, which is exactly what a tent should be called, IMHO. But we did what we could to tighten it up and were thankful that the weather was supposed to clear soon.
Day 10: S 9/22- A sad day for ducks
We knew it was Saturday, when we awoke to the thunder of over a dozen shotguns in the distance. Like the guy scouting had told us earlier, duck season was starting and hundreds of guys would be out there. We were out of the state land and into private property, so we didn't run into any hunters.
The day was windy and a little wet, but we powered through the twenty-eight miles. The river serpentined back and forth; giving us the chance to rest an equal time with fighting headwinds.
Just before dark we landed at Ms. Keto campsite.
The day was windy and a little wet, but we powered through the twenty-eight miles. The river serpentined back and forth; giving us the chance to rest an equal time with fighting headwinds.
Just before dark we landed at Ms. Keto campsite.
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