Day 21: The fight

I woke up early this morning because, David, was going to shoot some video with his helicopter camera system. I got on the water and he started recording. I should be getting the video shortly. When I do, I will post it. I enjoyed the early Saturday morning paddle. You could see the neighboors tending to their lawns and some boats getting out on the water. I chatted with a few people that asked me where I was going as I made my way to my first dam. I arrived there having enjoyed my morning paddle. I got out, wheeled up, and set off on the hike around the dam. It was way more than the 300 yards the maps claimed. I was hiking up the street with my boat in tow when I decided I would stop into a bar to grab a bite to eat. I asked for a big water and they gave me a pitcher. I was cool with that. I ordered a burger that turned out great. I talked with the locals and laughed at some good stories. From there, I walked a little further to put back in. This is where the fun really began.
I had about 2 miles till I arrived at Saux Rapids. The map put them at Class I-III and advised scouting before taking them on. I was told of a way on the right side that one could skirt past the rapids. As I approached, I looked for this rock I was told to find. As I was looking for it, I noticed the water shoot getting tighter and the current stronger. I could see big splashes and I thought I would fight it if needed. I knew that the rocks/boulders would be covered by the high water. What I did not know was that the Class III rapids would turn into Class V rapids. I clipped my deck bag to the boat because it had a camera in it and tightened up my life vest. It looked like it might be a little rough. I realized the water was pushing me in and I was not able to get out. I thought to myself, keep calm and keep paddling. The first set of waves were 3′-4′ tall. I figured I could handle them. My boat was not set up for this type of action, but I was not getting a choice. The waves began to crash over my boat, but I just kept paddling. On top of one of the waves, I saw this section ahead that did not look good. I was still upright and fighting. It was not a rush. It was not something I was thinking about too much, just paddle. I rolled up over a huge swell from a big boulder below and then I thought, “Oh SH*T!!!” I braced myself good, and charged the waves. As I sunk into the first drop, I looked up to a wall of water. I lost the horizion as this 6′-8′ wall of water was bearing down on me. I pushed my boat in to attack it. I came up to the top and saw about 9 more big waves. I dropped towards the second one, but because my boat is 17.5′ long, my tail section was still at the top of the first wave. Wave #2 ceashed upon me popping my spray skirt off. I could not get it back on as I was slapping the waves for stability and paddling. The next wave filled my cockpit with water. This did not make this very bad situation any better. The skirt was still arond my body, but the cockpit was fully exposed. The next few waves which came at me quickly, covered me with water. I was not scared, but focused on fighting this all the way through. I was fighting twice as hard because the cockpit was full with water and my stability was well…..simply not there. I would paddle into each wave and smack it when I got on top of it for stability. That set was very intense and over just as quickly. I was still facing 3′-4′ waves. These waves were hitting me over the top of the front of the boat and from the side. My rudder was not doing much good except pushing me sideways. The fight was not over. With my cockpit flooded and at water level, I had to constantly counter act the waves hitting me. The rapids pushed me downstream and out of most of harms way. I paddled my boat towards an unfriendly shore. I had to get there to get the water out of my boat.
I found an area between two logs where I could get in. The current next to shore was not any lighter. I managed to get close and snag a small tree for support. I think I kicked like a swimmer to get out of the cockpit. I pulled my pump and started to remove the water. That was not an adrenaline rush as much as it was a “don’t lose all my stuff” rush. I figured if I cold make it through that, I should be able to handle most of what comes my way, I hope.
The water was moving quick as it calmed down. I asked some fisherman on shore if they happened to have a soda. I was thirsty and water was not cutting it. This older gentleman tossed me a coke. That refreshed me and off I went. I captured some fun train tresse and bridge images before I started cranking it. I made it to the next dam pretty quickley and got out to portage around it. I pulled it up by the dam overlook and took a break. I talked with a group of bikers about their trip and experiences. They were curious how I could get all my gear into that boat. One lady called this crazy. I told her, not wearing a helmet or leathers, crazy is relative. Her friends called her out on the same thing. It was kinda funny. From there I headed down to where the portage area was located. I talked to these 4 kids who were about to go tubing in this super 4 person tube. They told me there were steps ahead. I figured a few and I would manage. When I got to these “few stairs”, I realized there were about 50 of them down a steep grade. This was something I could not do. I walked down this frisbee golf course and recruited 3 guys. They told me they would help after finishing that hole. We all picked up the boat, which is not light, and walked it down to shore. I was grateful and ready to get moving. The current was just as quick. I looked at my map and it is pretty much follow the water to Minneapolis. I talked with 4 guys out fishing for a bit and also chatted it up with two other kayakers just enjoying the float. They said they are thinking about moving to Denver. I told them about all that Denver and Colorado had to offer. Maybe we will cross paths again. As I was chatting with them, I saw a camping sign on this island. Sleeping on an island on the river was on my trip bucket list. I parted ways, turned upstream and headed back to check it out. The flood waters have not taken over the island yet, so when presented with an opportunity, I grabbed it. The site was clean and I was alone for the night. I made a few calls and set up camp. I left the rainfly off for the night, with a 30% chance of rain, but I wanted an adventure. The twilight was lit up with fireflies (lightening bugs) before the stars could make their appearance. It was a nice preshow. I think I managed to see a few star before the show behind the back of my eye lids started. It was another good day.