26April2010 - The 10-day forecast being for more showers today, I stayed in the sleeping bag until the sun was up and I could more easily assess the day's weather possibilities. Sometime after at least one strong storm during last night, the wind had decreased markedly. The tarp was frozen onto the canoe ... I estimate it was about 25 degrees. Though quite cloudy, things did not look threatening, so I broke camp and paddled on. My goal was to get into the east-west chute ... then if the NW wind returned I would be in position to log at least a few miles. By the end of the day I had travelled 32 miles - basically no wind all day. I camped about 5 miles north from the Hell's Creek Marina on the right just before the lake turns east onto the "big body" of Fort Peck Lake.
Today I saw Ducks, Geese, Pelicans and Antelope. Lots of Antelope; very few Geese.
At the Bone Trail Recreation Area I stopped for lunch and signed the book. Several long distance travelers had signed in. One pair had walked from the Oregon coast to Dillon, MT, then canoed to St Louis then biked to the Atlantic Ocean. That is a serious triathlon! Another was floating from Three Forks, MT to New Orleans; others were stopping in St Louis. I am probably the 1st to attempt Helena to Helena. Should I append a "duh" here?
Late today I saw a motorboat heading south toward the Hell Creek Marina. That is the 1st human I have seen in about 54 hours ... and this was from maybe 2 miles away.
The sky was 98% clear by sunset. I camped without canoe or tent - wonderful sleep. Only 32 miles to the dam.