13APRIL2013 @ Livingston, MT -

Rain.  I wake up, look out and all is wet.  Even so, today is the day to begin paddling east.  By about 1000 when I expect to be pushing off perhaps the rain will have passed. 
Indeed, at the boat ramp at 1000 all was mild and sunny.  Before the truck was unloaded, though, wind and snow began and continued until 1130 when it simply stopped.  In maybe 15 minutes I was ready to go and pushed away.  I've not paddled since last June so I got that strange yet familiar feeling one gets when away from an activity for a while.  That passed quickly of course and I paddled on for 13 miles in calm and often sunny conditions.  Though I took in water at several rapids, by the time I reached Springdale my canoe and trousers were dry.  After the 1st of the bad rapids I pulled aside and bailed, the canoe holding about ten gallons of the Yellowstone River.  All other splash water was mopped and squeezed overboard. 
At Springdale, snow and wind began before the tent was completely set.  Despite the challenge of finishing the set-up in those conditions, I am now bedded down dry and comfortable.  Only the wind and flapping tent mars a wonderful setting. 
Today I saw osprey, a bald eagle, ducks geese, pelicans and antelope.  Geese honking and geese sightings are low ... both should increase fairly soon.