17APRIL2011 - Rummaging around the house I found all my gear, or so I think. Paddles were easy, resting in the corner behind the piano. Life Preservers were in the boat trailer - and wet. Good to dry them out on the livingroom floor. Both sleeping bags were in the closet; ditto the jackets. The tarp was on the office floor; backpack stored elsewhere in the office. The brush saw was in the truck. Felomina and I used the saw doing the final cleaning of the A-Frame lawn, completed by about 1000. Then we took our penultimate trip out to the Broadwater Hot Spring ... heavenly. But back at the gear gathering, the portage wheels were in the piano room and disassembled. Still disassembled they are in the pile and appear to have no problem. I will add some air tomorrow, having drained the air last summer. Clothes, cooking gear, toiletries and the computer also were located easily and all piled up by noon. Across Ewing Street the young owner held a hog roast, beginning at 0700. He graciously invited us to join in and at 1500 I ventured across with mustard smeared sourdough in hand. By about 1730 I had a fine pork sandwich, one rib and plenty of chips. A very pleasant (40 or so)group of 30-minuses had gathered and were able to conduct themselves in a manner that did not cause me to feel I was out of place ... more a function of their hospitality than my ability to fit in. Lots of black attire, lots of stainless steel growing on faces and lots of pale skin. Well, all Montana faces - except mine - are pale in April. Juxtaposed with the above scene was old sounds such as Sam Cooke and Frank Sinatra, legitimate smokes, modest beer drinking and overall civility. Quite an experience and one I hope is repeated - and with me invited again - often. No word today of the ice on Lake Sakakawea. Tomorrow I will telephone. I'm eager to go.