Soapweed
Well-known member
My journal entry for Sunday, June 30, 1968
The night was cold, windy, and at least an inch of rain fell on our humble campsite. We had along plenty of mosquito netting, but failed to make any preparation for rain. My bedroll was soaked by 11:30, so I spent the rest of the night crowded with Ken in his bed. Luckily, I had a dry change of clothes in the morning, but my comrades did not fare so well.
I awoke at 5:00, Ken at 5:30, and John and Jack at 6:00. We couldn't get a fire started so ate a lunchlike breakfast. I sold Jack a small slab of bread for 25 cents, but later felt guilty and gave him his money back.
We packed up and shoved off at 7:30. The trip was fairly pleasant, but John and I in the light aluminum canoe were traveling about twice as fast as Jack and Ken in a heavier fiberglass canoe. We had to wait for them to catch up three or four times. Also, that unlucky pair upset four times on our trip, while John and I went without this misfortune.
The first break in the river scenery came with the Churn Falls. Quite a distance was covered before reaching a major rapids and then the river narrowed to less than six feet in width in one place.
John and I took pity on Jack and Ken, and traded our light canoe for their twice as heavy one. At the "Fountain of Youth" (a small spring), Ken and I traded places. We were now more evenly matched with Ken and John together and Jack and I as the other team.
Our course became slightly monotonous until a small waterfall was reached. This was at 2:00, so we halted for a short noon break. Then we continued on our non-stop journey.
A short time later, we came upon a small foot-high falls that we went over—rather exciting. Next came a big Granddaddy falls that we had to portage around. The "obstacle course" was the most fun. Tree limbs had to be dodged, and we had to go over swift rapids.
A mile or so later put us at the dreamed of bridge, which was our destination. We arrived just on time—4:00—which had been our plan. During a twenty minute break, we beached our canoes and tried to dry out our stuff.
I forgot to mention, wildlife seen along the way included deer, ducks, and a bobcat. Also, I wore a life jacket all the time, due to my poor swimming ability.
The Green Valley and JO bunches picked us up at the Edson Gale Bridge (which ended our 25 mile canoe trip). They came by way of Nenzel, but on the way home we cut across. We went through the Hollers Ranch, Adamson's, Royal McGaughey's, across the Simmons Bridge on the Niobrara, and on home. The bumps were wicked, and Tarsitano's canoe that we borrowed got a couple bad dents.
At home, I had supper, hung my stuff up to dry, and took a hot bath before crawling into the sack.
While I was gone, I got back some cattle drive photographs, and received a phone call from Chester Wingfield (a guy with mules for sale).
The night was cold, windy, and at least an inch of rain fell on our humble campsite. We had along plenty of mosquito netting, but failed to make any preparation for rain. My bedroll was soaked by 11:30, so I spent the rest of the night crowded with Ken in his bed. Luckily, I had a dry change of clothes in the morning, but my comrades did not fare so well.
I awoke at 5:00, Ken at 5:30, and John and Jack at 6:00. We couldn't get a fire started so ate a lunchlike breakfast. I sold Jack a small slab of bread for 25 cents, but later felt guilty and gave him his money back.
We packed up and shoved off at 7:30. The trip was fairly pleasant, but John and I in the light aluminum canoe were traveling about twice as fast as Jack and Ken in a heavier fiberglass canoe. We had to wait for them to catch up three or four times. Also, that unlucky pair upset four times on our trip, while John and I went without this misfortune.
The first break in the river scenery came with the Churn Falls. Quite a distance was covered before reaching a major rapids and then the river narrowed to less than six feet in width in one place.
John and I took pity on Jack and Ken, and traded our light canoe for their twice as heavy one. At the "Fountain of Youth" (a small spring), Ken and I traded places. We were now more evenly matched with Ken and John together and Jack and I as the other team.
Our course became slightly monotonous until a small waterfall was reached. This was at 2:00, so we halted for a short noon break. Then we continued on our non-stop journey.
A short time later, we came upon a small foot-high falls that we went over—rather exciting. Next came a big Granddaddy falls that we had to portage around. The "obstacle course" was the most fun. Tree limbs had to be dodged, and we had to go over swift rapids.
A mile or so later put us at the dreamed of bridge, which was our destination. We arrived just on time—4:00—which had been our plan. During a twenty minute break, we beached our canoes and tried to dry out our stuff.
I forgot to mention, wildlife seen along the way included deer, ducks, and a bobcat. Also, I wore a life jacket all the time, due to my poor swimming ability.
The Green Valley and JO bunches picked us up at the Edson Gale Bridge (which ended our 25 mile canoe trip). They came by way of Nenzel, but on the way home we cut across. We went through the Hollers Ranch, Adamson's, Royal McGaughey's, across the Simmons Bridge on the Niobrara, and on home. The bumps were wicked, and Tarsitano's canoe that we borrowed got a couple bad dents.
At home, I had supper, hung my stuff up to dry, and took a hot bath before crawling into the sack.
While I was gone, I got back some cattle drive photographs, and received a phone call from Chester Wingfield (a guy with mules for sale).