As the son of a full time drag racer growing up, often the phone calls revolved around what race was coming up next.  Being from Southern California, Brainerd was always on the list and I knew it as a place up north on the east coast. All I really cared about was how dad’s team did at the event.

As I leave my campsite I have blue skies and great water conditions. Now that dad is retired, I am more interested in that Dairy Queen within walking distance of the water than the race track or results lol.

I am meeting Sam at that DQ tonight for a quick resupply and visit.

Starting off today the water is fast but the headwinds kicked in full speed just past the first couple river turns. The river quickly turned to lakes and the river current went to zero.  With no current, this is when the fully loaded 18’ sea kayak becomes work… real work! This was definitely a nicer area with massive lakeside homes and lodges, I’m sure in the summertime is looks like boating paradise!

As I approached the Brainerd dam, I knew I was the first paddler of the year. No safety gear in the water, no caution signs warning to stay back, it was all onshore winterized for the year.  I made a ramp out of a piece of aluminum and drug my boat up the hill to the little mailbox that the state asked us to sign a form at and back down to the water to find a DQ. 

It was good to see Sam again and we decided to grab a hotel for the night, resupply in the morning and head back onto the water for more miles!