13May2010 near Wheelock, ND - I awoke in a comfortably warm cabin and the fire was still smoldering. Though it would be pleasant to stay in bed, I felt the need to get up and across the lake early. It was still dark enough that I used the flashlight to get my gear packed and in the canoe and by the time that was done it was light enough that some of the yard lights across the lake were shutting off. I pushed off and headed across the lake and only two yard lights in the Tobacco Gardens area were still lighted. After 1150 paddle strokes I pulled alongside the right bank having had an uneventful crossing. Turning into Tobacco Garden Bay I paddled the 1 mile to the Tobacco Garden Resort and docked at the best boat ramp I have ever seen. It has wide concrete, new concrete in the water entry area and even had curbs. Well protected from the lake surge, the water was smoothe as glass. Gathering my clothes and other critical items I headed up the ramp and over to the restaurant. It was 745AM and the restaurant opened at 0800 - perfect for me. The owner, Peg Hellandsaas, provided me a shower, clothes cleaning, breakfast and internet as well as a "... good crowd of locals ..." at the restaurant. At 11:20AM I feel perfect and will be on my way by 2PM, the weather being (projectedly) perfect for today and the next three days.
At 1PM I ordered one of the best (Top Ten for sure) Hamburgers I ever ate. The Bleu Cheese Hamburger had fried onion rings, bacon, bleu cheese as well as the hamburger on a toasted bun. Rarely have I ever tasted such a perfect taste combination.
Peg helped me get my gear together and packed up; she even provided a new plastic ground cover. At 2:40PM I pushed off and was underway again. To balance the seven hours I was at Tobacco Gardens, I decided to paddle fairly late. This got me to a spot about a mile past Billings Bay amid some oil wells, an 11 mile day. I actually slept under a warning sign that reads, "DO NOT ANCHOR OR DREDGE" and lots of explanatory reasons why. Basically what that means is that a pipeline is down under me somewhere and sleeping on it is fine ... just do not put a tent peg down. The sign had been tilted on it's side (blown over?) and was a great windbreak and 100% waterproof.
Wildlife seen today were Beaver, Pelicans, Geese, Ducks and Northern Pike. The Pike was landed by an oilman/farmer from Bottineau who was fishing off a rock jetty near my camp.
I feel exceptionally good to be bedding down in clean clothes and clean skin.