Slept late this morning... first time in a very long, long time. Spent a little time just relaxing and reading the paper while eating breakfast, but once that was over though, it was time to fire up the computer and get busy. First up was a couple of banking and bill payment things that have been put off for to long. Then there was some time to catch up on misc email and facebook stuff that had also been put on 'ignore' while I was off doing other things. Finally; it was time to get started in on some of the hundreds of photo's that I have taken during this past month. First up were all the ones from the river trip to Montana earlier this last month. I got  more than 750 of them sorted out today and about 150 of them cropped and ready to post. Some of those first ones are posted below, and I hope some of you will enjoy them even though it is a long time since they were actually taken.

    It took most of the day and evening to work up the photo's, but there was also time to take Rhodie out to chase her ball. She was still going strong after I threw it for her a total of 37 times. My arm on the other hand felt like it was falling off, while she was still ready to go for more. Also went out and got some dinner this evening, Chinese food this time. I also managed to do some much needed grocery shopping so I should now have enough food in the house to take me up until the time I leave.

   Just hanging out right now. The evening has finally cooled down enough outside to make sleeping  a lot nicer. Nearly done for the day.... just enough time left in this day to post this and then turn in for the night.

Missouri River Trip in Montana - August 2013

The truck is packed up and nearly ready to go. The date is Aug 3rd, 2013.

Tom and I loaded the boats on the night before, so there was only the rest of the gear to load in the morning.

These two were ready to go long before everyone else was ready to go. On the left, Rhodie and on the right, Lucy.

Twelve hours after leaving the Denver area, we were already at the take-out at Robinson Bridge, on the Missouri River in Montana. We left our 3rd vehicle here so we would have it at the end of the trip to run back to Fort Benson in order to pick up my truck and Tom's van.

We camped out in the city park in Fort Benton like we have for more than 40 years. Some things have certainly changed in town.... there are fewer places to eat dinner and breakfast for one thing. But it is still nice that you can camp right across the street from where you will put in.

The day of our put-in and we are all up way to early. On the other hand you get to see some pretty cool sights if you are up early enough.

A statue of Lewis and Clarke and Sacajawea commemorating their travel up the Missouri more than 200 years ago. What sights they must of seen on their journey.

A sign along the shoreline park in Fort Benton. The reverse side gives a description of the town as it had once been and is shown in the next photo.

It would of been interesting to walk the streets way back then. Not sure it would of been too safe though.

Spent a night in this hotel a couple of years ago. It's a wonderful old place and if you can't stay there yourself, you should at least go there and have dinner sometime.

Info on the hotel.

 

Looking up river from the boat ramp in town where we are loading the canoes. What was once the 1st toll bridge across the Missouri River in more than a thousand miles, this bridge is now used as a bike/pedestrian walkway across the river.

 

 

Starting to load the boats up and wondering if everything we brought is actually going to fit in them after all.

The piles of gear on the shore are slowly starting to grow smaller.

Finding a place on the canoe for the last batch of gear.



All loaded and ready to go. Looking over their 'fully' loaded boat are John and Caroline.

Once loaded we took a couple of hours to go eat a late breakfast and check out some of the sights around the town.

Lucy thought someone had put the river there just for her enjoyment.

Getting ready to load Lucy into her little spot in the canoe for the first time. It was a little touch and go at first.... something about not knowing if she was going to stay in the boat if she saw a cow or goose out on the bank that she wanted to go and visit. Turned out to be okay in the end, she stayed in the boat when she needed to for the whole trip.

Finally on the water and on our way.

Our general schedule is to paddle for about an hour and then take a break for about 15-20 mins of floating. Every couple of hours we would pull over to let the dogs out for a potty break.

Tom and Donna coming alongside to raft up for a short break.

Almost looks like they know what they are doing.

Looks like a pivot turn is coming up.

Now that is what you call a smile. John and Tom as we are all rafted up for a break.

18.4 miles after we started, (we started at mile #1.0), we reach our first camp site for the week at Black Bluff Rapids.

A primitive site in that there is no pit toilet or water at this camp. We still like it because of the scenery and lack of other people.

Tom and Donna had the first nights dinner, including a frozen pineapple dessert.

The view from camp site #1. On the left are the 'Black Bluff's'.

Day two and the wind is blowing down river for a change. Each of the boats has a small sail rig that can be put up and taken down by the person in the bow. When the wind blows hard enough the sail area is enough to move us along at more than 8 mph.

Lunch time on the river. A chance to get out of the boat and find a little bit of shade.

Less than 5 mins from our 2nd nights camp site we got hit by one heck of a rain and wind storm. We all ended up pulled over to the lee shore where we huddled under some trees while the river grew 3 foot high waves and the surface disappeared under an onslaught of rain and hail. We all survived, and 5 mins after the rain stopped it was already starting to clear off.

Our 2nd nights campsite at Coal Banks Landing. This is where most people who run the river put in.

Our campsite for the 2nd evening. Steph and I had dinner duty that night, home made spaghetti sauce, salad dressing and salsa. Thanks to Steph for all of that stuff, I however, can make a decent pot of spaghetti.

Dusk on the river. It was a beautiful evening to sit overlooking the water while an osprey swooped down on fish in the river twice while we were watching.

Morning or the 3rd day and the boats are being packed up again. We are almost starting to know where everything is suppose to go. Best of all, we have already used up about 50 lbs of water and food. It's nice when the boat sits a little higher in the water.

More photo's to come tomorrow.... I hope!