As I started my morning, the rain was falling. Just a soaking, constant rain that makes to grass here perfect, but the type that just soaks you to the bone in the cold. . My phone was at 95% charged so I told myself when it hit 100% I would make the mile long walk back to my boat, gather it up and then make the 1/2 mile walk to the river.

I knocked on the door to say thank you to the folks who watched my boat & covered the cockpit with plastic so it wasn’t full of water and said my thankful goodbyes.  I noticed an envelope in my seat inside ziplock bags with “Texas Steve” on it.  I could have opened it, but tucked it away to open when my day is down or the trip is a struggle. Something tells me it will give me a smile when I need it most.

I changed clothes and loaded the boat inside the trash storage area at the public campground as it was the only dry place. I figured being soaking wet changing was worse than the smell of the trash cans that have been filling up since the fall when they closed the park. That may have actually been debatable decision after changing but it’s time to hit the water and put on miles.

My goal for today Is 38 miles to my next campsite (picked off google Earth from Texas!)

As I hopped on the water, the rain continued to fall and I got into my steady rhythm.  this section of river is like a snake with continuous turns back and forth winding endlessly past hunting cabins, small homes and farmland.  5 minutes downwind 8 minutes upwind over and over.  As I hit the 20ish mile mark I got a call from Greg Smith the truck driver/ farmer from a couple days back who said… “I’m tracking you. When you hit the next bridge, get out and walk up the hill. There is a restaurant with good food.” That was a huge bonus for the day as my breakfast consisted of peanut butter as cooking a meal in the trash storage area just didn’t sound appealing.  After a quick meal of coffee, soup, steak and a baked potato I headed back into the water.  The rain was still falling, but an 2pm like clockwork the winds picked up and became gusty with a side of extremely gusty on occasion. 

I was making good time working the river currents and keeping my mind busy to avoid thinking about the grind into the wind, stroke after stroke, just keep going. Reading and understanding the river has huge advantages. The inside of the turn is slower water, the far outside is fast but has hidden trees and other dangers.  On tighter turns, you go further out, but on the really long turns, sometimes it’s better to dive inside almost like squaring of a corner in racing.  Letting my mind wander made it feel like 3 seconds later & mile 38 was  in front of me and my camping area insite.

It’s a beautiful spot just off the river that is a public boat ramp with grass. There are two downfalls to this location.  Using any of the trees to set my hammock up meant being up in the wind and the grass was right next to the water always the coldest area with the most humidity.

I chose the grass as it required less walking, set up my hammock as a tent and dove inside to get out of the rain and cold as quickly as I could. 

Based on my dislike for cooking in the rain & my lack of energy it looks like peanut butter for dinner, and a snickers bar at about 2am to help with the cold chills I knew headed my way.  The wind blew all night long and I laid in my sleeping bag designed for 20 degrees warmer trying to stay warm which is nearly impossible. The grass was slightly downhill and I spent much of my time inchworming back towards the top of the tent. The snickers bar was awesome, and I finally dosed off for a couple solid hours of sleep. 

When I woke up, the wind was blowing but the sky is blue. The water clear and I can see the river current flowing by at the end of the inlet.

Biscuits and gravy with coffee for breakfast along with a motivational call from Paul in California and I am dried out, packed up and ready to tackle today.  

Let’s go!