14APRIL2010 near Portage, MT - The winter storm warning being in force until noon, we slept late at the Hotel, checking out at 1100. By noon I was at the launch site with all my extra gear lashed in and several empty bags inflated for extra buoyancy. Owing to what I had heard about the next mile and also about what I knew about the Fort Peck reservoir, my goodbye to Felomina was different ... different from any of the many we have exchanged. It was slower, longer and sweeter. While of course I do not plan on it being our last, one never knows when God will call us home. You just never know ...
Pushing off I felt a strange mix of sadness and anticipation, the anticipation being for the rapids I may encounter in the next mile. Sure enough the rapids were encountered essentially end to end and each one seemed to get more difficult. All-in-all the rapids were not highly rated, perhaps a 2, but the sharpness of the rocks and the reality that a serious mishap could end the trip added a pressure that was almost tangible. Looking out for "The Wall", and being told that I would know it by the sound, I walked the canoe through/around three sets of rapids. Each set being more difficult than the previous, the final one must have been "The Wall". On the final one I - while roping the canoe through the left (easy) side - got immersed up to my pockets. Though never in any danger of floating away, wet is cold in April in Montana. Getting back in the canoe I could feel my feet, but not to the extent that I desire. From that point on the rapids were much simpler and not hazardous at all. In what seemed like an amazingly short time I noticed I was approaching Widow Coulee and my cache. My first task at Widow Coulee was to exchange my wet clothes for dry. Ahh - nice does how that feels!
At this point it was important to decide if I stay or float farther downriver. Downriver it was as the sky was clearing, my feet were feeling alive again and I want an easier float tomorrow into Fort Benton. Putting all the gear in the canoe - fairly loosely too - I paddled another 4 or 5 miles. Though I considered it early enough to continue, 5 picnic tables, a fire ring and an outhouse convinced me to stop. Apparently the spot is set up for the ranch hands to gather, have a good time and brand calves. It was a wonderful place to stop, dry my clothes and soundly sleep.