18APRIL2012 near Platte, SD - Up at first light I was on the lake before the sunburst, the first time that has happened this year.  Catching a strong NW wind, I made the right turn after five miles in what seemed like no time at all.  Around that bend the wind diminished yet continued to be from the NW - a pleasant tail breeze.  I am crossing diagonally rather than perpendicular, something that takes longer to cross but which reduces overall trip mileage.  Obviously such a crossing is more dangerous, but I do it because I am extremely confident in the wind direction as presented on weather.com.  I hope to remain cautious regarding such crossings ... a mishap far from a shore would be exceedingly unpleasant and possibly dangerous. 
On the right bank at mile 903 is a picturesque farm displaying lots of color.  A classic white barn with a green roof provides a fitting background for a green/yellow (John Deere) tractor.  Two blueish/purple silos stand among several sheet metal grayish-blue butler buildings.  The farm house is beige with a butterscotch roof.  The entire scene is framed in green, topped with a light blue sky and a river across the bottom.  Grandma Moses would feel right at home here.
Rounding the left turn at mile 898 I stopped and stretched at the North Wheeler Recreation area.  There being nobody there with whom to converse, I pushed off and made the long line toward the Pease Creek campground.  On the way the banks were noticeably different.  On the right is a forest of cedar, oak and cottonwood while on the left a grove of eight cottonwoods sit amid a sea of grass.  Wind continues to die and my energy is waning so making it to the dam is starting to look questionable.  It got more questionable as I rounded the final left bend.  The tailwind stopped and I faced a breeze.  Though just a breeze, my progress was after this totally related to mey ability to paddle.  Eventually I came ashore at the White Swan Boat Ramp.  Some turkey hunters there showed me that it was still 5 miles to the dam and also showed bad weather forecast tonight plus a contrary and stronger wind tomorrow.  Oh my ... nothing to do but get there tonight - though the enjoyment was gone.  I paddled on into an increasing wind until I reached the large bay 4 miles from the dam.  That bay is one mile across and required 430 paddle strokes.  Doing those 430 strokes put me in a rythem and I stroked on, hoping to make the final few miles before I gave out.  Ahead I then saw a strange sight ... a boat of a different sort.  As I got closer I could see it as a kayak, shiny gold - beautiful.  This is the first paddled craft I have seen in 1400 miles ... very strange.  The kayaker is Jon Corey, the director of the North Point Recreation Area located one mile short of the dam.  He cordially agreed to paddle in with me, encouraging me as well as directing me to the North Point Campground.  Only three sites had survived the 2011 flood and for the time being the state was not charging to camp.  Stroking across the final bay the wind was much stronger but was more from the left than a head wind.  Beaching and setting up camp was done and Jon returned to carry me to Abby's Cafe for supper.  Before dark I had arranged tomorrow night lodging at the Dakota Inn, had taken my cholesterol pill, had eaten the best Reuben Sandwich ever and thanked God for seeing me this far,.        
Today I travelled from river mile 910 to river mile 881, a distance of 29 miles. It is only one mile to the dam.