23MAY2011 near Pollock, SD - Sleeping soundly for only 6 hours, I awake at 0430 and stayed up. Ms. Palmer fixed an egg and toast breakfast for me and before sunrise I was on the water again. Hardly paddling, I arrived at Mobridge at 1400, had a sumptous lunch - served by Anna from Mindinao - then paddled on. The decision to paddle more was made due to the weather showing wind from the east tomorrow ... and I want to arrive at the next bridge (40 miles hence) tomorrow night. Well ... that won't happen. I had barely left town when dark clouds began gathering. I paddled only about three more miles and reached the Bridge City Marina, complete with rental cabins, convenient store and lots of information. Jerry Frailing is very good at assisting paddlers. Now that I have met this site, I consider this a "must stop" place for all who paddle this reservoir. It is now raining - 817PM. Good that I am inside. Jerry says that the 17MPH east wind tomorrow will be a problem for only a mile or so, then I can paddle in the wind shadow and realize a full day. A full day is 20 to 25 miles. That would be wonderful.

Deer are noticeably absent the past few days. I conclude that indeed it was an extremely hard winter. the only wildlife I saw today were pelicans and three ducks.

Today only a slight breeze - from the north - accompanied me and allowed me to slowly paddle and enjoy the scenery. This is buffalo country ... expansive grasslands of gently rolling hills with only an occasional tree or grove nestled in the creases. The grasses are devoid of cactus and have no spotted knapweed, no mustard grass and no leafy spurge. I often stroll along with barefeet and get a smoothe, comforting foot rub as I go ... no thorns or other stickems. Feet being the one body part not exercised by paddling, working them unadorned on prairie grass is pleasant.

Today I paddled 21 miles ending at river mile 1191. Mil;e 1193 is halfway between Bismarck and the Oahe Dam ... it is now 118 miles to the dam.