Loaded up and headed to the put in on a bright warm sunshiny day in the town of Grand Rapids. Today is the day I get to get on the river solo and start figuring out what I could have or should have done differently lol. The weather is starting to get way warmer this week, so I stashed all of my dry suit clothes in a dry bag and wend with a 1.5mm wetsuit bottom, my neoprene boots and a simple top. It was a huge relief to be able to cool off as needed without getting out of the boat and doing all of the work to take off a dry top.
The first 20 miles came super easy as I had new things to look at, the motivation of actually being on the river solo and a mission to get to “camp swimming bear” to verify it’s 1.8 Google rating.
After mile 20 the miles got slower and my shoulder bothered me more as the wind picked up and I had to work harder. Around mile 25, with a protein bar and some fluids in my stomach, the miles started clicking off pretty easily again.
When I hit the camp site, I verified its rating of 1.8 with a massive fallen tree in the water and the picnic table almost falling of the 25’ cliff and no easy place to get out of the water. I’ll make sure I also leave feedback for the next paddler.
Sam and I looked at a place another mile down waiver we thought might be ok. When I arrived I was pleased to see somewhat of a sandy bank with a 2’ tall side that was easy to get over and about 40’ from the bank in a bunch of dead grass was 2 trees nicely spaced for my hammock/ tent.
I put the plastic tarp down and all of my gear on the tarp attempting to avoid tics like the plague which seemed to work pretty well. Tonight’s dinner was Mac and cheese and a dehydrated ice cream sandwich. It did the job and I quickly had a full stomach for the evening.
I set up my hammock which took 3 or 4 tries to get the height just right and I made a couple of quick mental notes for tomorrow night so it goes quicker.
As I type this, the sun has set, the random noises from the woods are happening and I realize I am a lucky person having the ability to even attempt this river trip
