19May2010 near Mandaree, ND - The trip ended today. There are two huge holes in opposite sides of the canoe. To continue would require either a different craft or extensive time, effort and money spent repairing the craft that has been so reliable for over 800 miles. After some deliberation it has occurred to me that God is attempting to tell me something and I should show the good sense to listen ... and not proceed any farther at this time. I am now in Dickinson, North Dakota getting ready to board a bus that will deposit me in Butte tomorrow morning. I expect to be back in Helena by noon tomorrow. The canoe will stay near the McKenzie Bay Recreation Area until sometime this fall. I plan to be back in this area perhaps in September, when I will pick up the canoe, return it to Helena and ask Mr. Bob Ringler if he would consider another winter of addressing the needs of this craft.
All you who have been interested in this trip please know that I hope you have found it enjoyable to keep up with my day-to-day activities. I have enjoyed knowing that it has meant enough for you to devote some of your life to following it.
Upon returning to Helena I will attempt to relate what happened today that put two huge holes in the canoe. Until then mahalo and a hui hou ... Will Garvin.

24May2010 @ Helena, MT
Okay, now I will describe the accident. While the canoe - loaded down with all my gear but not with me - was being towed east, back to the Missouri River, something changed that caused a rapid series of events. First I saw loose newspapers being blown from the canoe and almost immediately after that I saw empty peanut butter jars and empty water bottles flying out. While I do not recall what I said/shouted about that, I know that a high decibel exclamation of some sort exited my pie hole. The next happening was also almost immediate and involved the canoe sort of rising out of the water - at least some - turning sideways - at least some - and coming down in the water ... then the tow rope torqued it as if to turn it around and directly behind the motor boat once more. This canoe, however, does not turn quickly as it has very little rocker and has abbreviated bow and stern keels. The torque therefore opened up a gaping hole on the near (compression) side of the canoe and a serious slice on the far (tension) side of the canoe. These are large holes. As bad as they look they would be worse had the tow rope not broken. The tow rope is a water skiing tow rope that essentaially will not break. Ken DeLap says it is rated at 500 pounds ... evidently the canoe's torque resistance exceeds that 500 pounds. Had that not been the case I expect the canoe would have been ripped into two pieces. The canoe came to rest pointed northeast; we were proceeding a bit south of east. Of course speed was a factor ... we all know the many mottos about speed and vehicles, mottos like "Speed Kills." Understand, though, that we had been towing the canoe for close to three miles when all this happened. This wreck could have happened earlier, but didn't. I stand with my contention that God was telling me to stop for a while.