5MAY2011 near Price, ND - I slept very well and arose after the sun was up. Emerging from the cabin, I slammed the screen door and startled 8 whitetail deer. Not knowing where to go and being clearly disoriented (as a result of being startled I suspect) they ran around for over a minute while I stood perfectly still. Twice one of them passed close by me. Of course they eventually figured it out and departed together, but exhilaration reigned for a minute or so. Great way to start the day. And what a day it was ... almost totally calm, I drifted/paddled 18 miles and was sitting at the Broken Oar bar at 1400. Wonderful riverfront bar, the Broken Oar. I literally tied my canoe to the bar's dock and walked in. After a shade-heavy recovery period I telephoned Governor Dalrymple's office and talked with Lauren. Since the governor was not in Bismarck she and I concluded that my appearance at his office would be unnecessary. She dispatched her husband, Morton County Commissioner Bruce Strinden, to the Broken Oar to meet me, pick up the letter and help get me to a motel. Bruce delivered me to the Colonial Motel, only 0.8 miles from the Broken Oar, by 1500. Outstanding to be bathed and adding to this blog by 1700 ... I anticipate a good/great night's sleep.