7May2010 near Brockton, MT - Today I awoke to rain, so I stayed in the trailer and read a 4-year old Time magazine. By about 10AM I got underway, there being a lot of blue sky broken by showers, not constant rain. I had a lot of water to bail plus I was heading into a north wind that on occasion was strong. It was especially strong during the three snow showers I paddled through on my way to Brockton. I got to Brockton at about 1PM, tied up, walked into town and ate a fine chicken with home fries lunch ... at the laundramat. Totally fascinating to eat a great meal in a laundramat - but Hey, that;'s Brockton. Three chairs at one table aside 6 casino machines and past the movie rentals. Also I got dry while dining ... good thing. Back on the water after lunch I received no more showers and went about ten more miles before the clock said stop. I did 20 miles in a shortened day - only 17 more miles to Culbertson.
During the day I passed two riverbank sweat lodge frames and as I bed down I hear drums beating across the river ... wonderful reminders of where I am. At lunch I was joined by a 5-year old girl whose mother is serving a three year assault term in a North Dakota prison. Her Aunt has come up from Nebraska - Omaha tribe - to run the store while the prison term is being completed. This underclass existence that many of our native Americans endure is a sad reminder of where I am.
Wildlife seen today were Beaver, Geese, Ducks, and Whitetail Deer. That's right - no Pelicans.
I am bedding down under the tarp for the first time since 12 nights ago. I am moderately confident that any rain that comes tonight will be light ... if not, Culbertson will see me very wet.