8APRIL2010 - A tail wind greeted me as I set out at 7AM with three miles to paddle to get to the dam. Paddling was easy, yet off to the west I could see a froth of whitecaps and dust rising skyward over some sandy escarpments. It caused me some concern, seeing that I was pretty close to the middle of the lake at this time, probably no closer than 1/2 mile to any shore. As I continued north the land came closer and the tail wind got stronger. By the time I got respite from the waves by rounding a point - still 400 yards from the dam - the canoe was essentially surfing. While that sounds pleasant, it isn't. Up ahead the appearance of the portage site at the dam caused great dismay. Apparently the winter's ice had demolished much of the landing site and a poor (at best) landing experience could not be avoided. Approaching the site on the left I found a scant gravelly beach. While throwing my gear up the bank as the waves battered the canoe against my shins, it became evident that I would need to lead the canoe to the portage site and quickly get it up and out of the water ... and the only way to do that was to wade into icy water. Once done I took a break, put on dry socks and shoes and took a short stroll to look over the portage route. Rotating the canoe over I was pleased to note that no serious damage was done by the battering on the rocks. Two portage wheels in place I righted the canoe and tied the unsupported end to an iron railing. At that exact moment the wind speed probably doubled. Had I been 15 minutes later getting to this portage site, this trip could very well be ended due to excessive canoe damage.
I did this portage on two wheels, having exactly zero problems. At the launch site I rolled the canoe into the water, then disconnected the wheels, pushed the canoe out and easily picked up the wheels as the canoe floated free. It was so easy it almost seems that was the way it is supposed to be done.
Beginning only my fourth river mile of the trip was a wonderful feeling. Somrething about moving water is reassuring, something that says "Yes, you can go somewhere, despite any wind or whatever comes your way". Well, GO somewhere is exactly what happened. by 1130 I was seated at Uncle Joe's Bar in Craig, a distance of 11 miles from this morning's start. Whitecaps on the river were not unusual during this rapid run down the river. Wildlife seen this morning were Geese, Ducks, Pelicans and an Otter.
While at Uncle Joe's every customer who entered had a wind story. It sounded like I may be there several hours, but upon finishing lunch the wind had subsided appreciably so I headed downstream, reaching the Prewett Creek Campground by 6PM. Camping where the Lewis and Clark expedition had camped and where Sgt. Ordway camped on the return trip wa special. From Holter Lake to Prewett Creek I travelled 26 miles today. This is the 1st day that I exceeded 1% of the distance to St. Louis ... a reasonable goal for any day.