A beautiful day on the river, though without benefit of a good current due to the dams.  Continued to pass luxurious homes along the banks.  Made our final portage around 10am, and was much relieved to know I will no … Continue reading →

Departed camp early to make the most of favorable conditions, which I had the bulk of the day.  The river is wide and generally deep, however when it is divided by islands it becomes shallow with many riffles, thus I … Continue reading →

I find I am able to keep nearly my original pace, despite the use of only one fin; though I am now obliged to paddle twice as fast, the drive offers half the resistance.  The portage around Blanchard Dam was … Continue reading →

A great many beaver populate this section of the river.  Also seen in many numbers were the whitetail deer: thirteen doe in total.  Traveled by the site of Old Crow Wing, once a settlement along the river, and a prosperous … Continue reading →

Very chilly last night, in the 40s, for which I was not prepared, having left my woolens in the kayak and consequently slept fitfully.  When I rose to make coffee and fry the homemade potato sausage purchased in Aitkin, a … Continue reading →

Enjoyed breakfast at a café in Palisades before setting out.  Though quite hot, the day was perfect and I made the 31 miles to Aitkin without incident.  The river is now high enough that I encountered no obstacles and was … Continue reading →

Weather generally fair today.  It became quite hot in the afternoon and any exposed skin is now red.  Faced down numerous 20-30 mph gusts along the way, which often sent down cascades of whirling maple seeds.  During moments of calm … Continue reading →

Made excellent progress this morning, nearly 5 mph.  The convergence of the Prairie River has nearly doubled the flow of water, making for a deeper channel and more rapid current.  There still is the occasional hazard in the water.  It … Continue reading →

Upon rising I was served a delicious breakfast of fried pike by my genial neighbors.  They also furnished me with a new fishing rod and reel at a reasonable cost, my original one having been lost somewhere in the rapids … Continue reading →

Began the day at a healthy clip.  After some experimentation with my seating arrangement I believe I have arrived at an agreeable configuration, whereby the bulk of the work is done by my legs rather than my back.  This allowed … Continue reading →