3 & 4April2010

3APRIL2010 - Saturday I rolled the canoe from Howard's Pizza to the home of Josh Hanson in East Helena. Though only 2.5 miles the decision to stop at Josh's house was made several weeks ago. Part of this is that Josh is a treasured young friend and at our age Felomina and I both find such friends extremely valuable. The other is that from East Helena everything is downhill to Lake Helena ... and even to Arkansas. A third reason showed up Saturday and that is that I want to watch the NCAA basketball semifinals; 2.5 miles of portage fits in well with that desire. While pushing through East Helena I watched the children enjoy an Easter Egg hunt at the John F. Kennedy park and had a brief discussion with Bob Miller outside the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. Built in the late 1980s, this edifice remains an architectural gem.

4April2010 - Easter Sunday I eschewed church and began the portage at 10AM. Crossing the Radley school parking lot, I travelled parallel to Valley drive on a dirt walking/running path. After 3/4 mile or so the path ended and I found myself out on the pavement with the vehicles. Fortunately the Sunday morning flow was low and only on occasion did I push off the right side, hold onto the stern and look south toward the oncoming traffic. Turning east on Canyon Ferry Road I was pleased to see that recent improvements had been completed and a bike path was available for the entire mile needed to get to Lake Helena Drive. Once I got onto Lake Helena Drive the traffic decreased significantly and I often found myself rolling down the centerline. By doing this I was able to move left or right as appropriate to let the occasional vehicle continue unimpeded in their lane. On the Lewis and Clark journey west in 1805, William Clark and several soldiers walked through the Helena Valley. At some point Sunday I crossed their path. The 1980s era houses on their 5-10 acre parcels are - of course - a meaningful departure from what Mr. Clark saw, yet the Helena valley remains special. Pulling in at the Fox Ridge Golf course I met Superintendent Rodney Myer. Upon asking where I could lock up the canoe for the night he graciously suggested that I put it inside where the golf carts get maintained. By 1PM that was accomplished and I was on my way back home, amazed that I had covered 5.3 miles and done so in such a short time. I am encouraged that perhaps the upcoming portages may require less time than originally thought.