29April2010 @ Ft Peck - I was awakened at 0400 or so due to an altercation about 4 rooms down from mine. Later I learned that a motel guest with a key for room #7 was angry because his key did not work for room #4. Evidently he was let into room #4 and then got angrier because his baggage and other items were not there ... so he grabbed the room desk and threw it out onto the parking lot. Suddenly the isolation and loneliness of Ft. Peck Lake seemed preferable. Despite the awakening, I found sleep again.
At 10AM Greg Spear drove me back to Millionaire Mile. I walked down to the canoe, strapped on the portage wheels, pulled my wheeled portage craft up the hill and onto the road and over to the Lakeridge Motel, a distance of 2.5 miles. I was back at the motel at 1230. Before moving the canoe I face into the wind, placed my hands together above my head and bowed twice toward Fort Peck Lake. Then I waved goodbye, shouldered the painter and began the portage.
At 2:30PM Gene Moore and Calvin Kiehn accompanied me back to Millionaire Mile where my gear was retrieved. By about 3PM all my gear was back at the Lakeridge Motel and drying.
Gene Moore, his wife Donna and associate Calvin have been wonderful. Donna cooked chicken for all of us for supper; Calvin has graciously washed my clothes in the motel's machines; Gene has provided coffee and transportation as well as being one of the more personable persons I have ever met. Together the three of them have made my stop here in Fort Peck very enjoyable.
Last night and today it was raining. Were it not for the need to portage I doubt I would make meaningful travel progress in the rain. Rain is forecast for tomorrow also. I have chosen to stay a 3rd night here. Saturday Gene will transport me to the river near noon and I will get a few miles done by Saturday night. Rain is forecast for Saturday also, but at a diminished probability.
I am feeling like a real person again. Evidently I was more worn down than I knew when I arrived.