Ken spent last night at O-Kane campground (no cell service, no cricket service). He is now a half day ahead of schedule in anticipation of heavy winds. He is taking a break this afternoon and cooking some lunch at Spadra Park (mile 229) while he is charging his phone and lap top (note! he needs new batteries!). He said he had some BIG WAVES coming out of Lock and Dam 12 … but no problem for his Hyde Drift boat (naturally). He is in really good spirits and really appreciates everyone following his blog and adventure. He hopes to personally update his blog and upload some pics once he gets around Russellville.
Archive for March, 2010
30
Mar
10
Day 4
28
Mar
10
arkansas float – day 2
The second day of my float started off with a few sprinkles. Good thing I slept in the boat, the sand bar that I tied the boat up to was almost gone. The river level had gone up slightly. I woke up at 4 am and dozed on and off until 7:30. It was very coldy and cold this morning and did not warm up that much. The wind stayed down until about the same time as yesterday, 4 pm. Bunches of whitecaps, but at least the wind wasn’t blowing against me. Blowing downstream and it almost blew me away from the lock at Lock and Dam 13. Went to pull the chain to let them know I wanted to go through and the wind blew me right past it. Luckily the guy saw me and signaled me through. It was a piece of cake going through. The guy warned me about the current on the downstream side of the dam, but it was nothing for the Hyde. Been in much worse. I have been making good time with the current, averaging 3 mph so far.
Stopped at Vasse Grasse Park near Lavaca at lunch to see an old friend from college. We ahd a good visit for about 2 hours. The park was in terrible shape. It looked abandoned and Phil told me it actually was. It is being abandoned by the COE and the city of Lavaca is going to take it over.
I plan on getting ahead of schedule so I have plenty of leeway going across Lake Dardanelle. Don’t want to be late in Russellville. Again making good time floating.
I am glad I brought a radio, it helps pass the time. I did see 1 body today, but it was only a goat. There were 4 others along the river bank trying to find something to eat. I tried staring at them, but nothing happened. Guess I don’t have what it takes. Either that or not enough training.
I am camping tonight at River Ridge Park on the south side of the river. They have electricity, so I am charging up everything. Hope to get a good night sleep and start off well tomorrow. Put some serious miles behind me. Went abot 4 extra miles today, even after visiting for 2 hours.
I might post some photos tomorrw, but there has not been anything too interesting. Just a big old river.
28
Mar
10
Arkansas float – day 1
Started at Kelly Park in Fort Smith. Mayor Baker, channel 5, sw times, ardemgaz had a reporter and photographer, johnnie and kellie, my dad were all there to sent us off. Got presented by mayor baker key to city, proclamation of my day and honorary fs citizen, plus a pardon. Kevin, al, and dave floated with me the first afternoon. We had good weather at first but windy. Then it went south. More wind, rain, hard rain, lightning and dropping hail greeted us about halfway down the float. The hail was not large but stung. After off the guys at fs park, the wind really started to blow. Ended up with white caps and 1-1 ½ foot waves and an occasional 2 footer. Was stuck in the middle of the river and could not make it to either side. Finally after about 2 miles and 2.5 hours I made it to shore. My body was shaking so bad I could hardly stand. Landed on a small sand bar on the bank where I tired up the boat and through down the anchor. The wind was so bad I couldn’t set up the tent nor did I want to. Too tired. Put the boat cover on and made a little hole in all the gear for me to sleep in. used the small therm-a-rests and got out the sleeping bag and crashed after eating a little dinner. Read just a bit and listened to some ncaa basketball. The night went pretty well but woke up at 4 am. Then dozed off and on until 7:30.
26
Mar
10
less than 24 hours
Yes it is less than 24 hours to the launch of Float the Whole Durn Thing – Part Deux!
The boat is hooked to the truck. The stuff is loaded in the truck. All the contacts have been made. All I hve to do is finish loading the food in the cooler and put it in the truck. I’ll do that in the morning to get frozen things frozen.
Leaving the house around 8:00 am and stopping by Kevin’s house to lead him to the park in Fort Smith. He get’s lost easily. ; )~ I think Al and Dave are going to float the first afternoon in Kevin’s Hyde.
Mayor Baker, Channel 5 (maybe) and the DemGaz will be there for the launch.
Wish you all could go with me. It will be an adventure.
25
Mar
10
t – minus 2 days
It is now just two days until I shove off down the Arkansas. All the gear is bought and I am packing up clothes for the trip. I am now waitng to see if Lewis and Clark will come through with some food. Don’t really want to have to purchase a bunch of stuff to eat. The Pack Rat came through big time on some backpacker food and right now they are the official supplier of the Float the Whole Durn Thing, Part Deux. Got the OK to put in at Kelly Park in Fort Smith today. The group that is starting with me will be taking out at Fort Smith Park late afternoon. Media is contacted and the Mayor will be there to send us off.
I now have to do the hard stuff. Packing everything up and making sure everything is waterproofed. Then getting all my contact info for stuff along the river copied down.
It has been raining all night and morning today. I hope it get’s it all out of it’s system and I have good weather for the trip.
24
Mar
10
t – minus 3 days
Wednesday, March 24, 2010.
It is down to just three days until the float down the Arkansas starts. Yesterday I started gathering and piling stuff together for the trip. Some may thing I am behind schedule, but I have been working on my lists for many weeks now. And why do today something you can put off until tomorrow or even next week. There are a few things that I still need to buy, but I’ve got most of the stuff already. All those years in Boy Scouts and guiding for 14 years you amass most everything you need.
I am starting to get nervous about the float. Not the actual float, but can I pull enough media coverage to make the float worthwhile. Really want to pump up the awareness for Reel Recovery and men with cancer. Carol has been such a good sport on the float idea. I know she is worried about me being on the Arkansas for three weeks. It is a big river and has some big impoundments along the way. I have assured her I will wear my PDF all the time. My nerves are also getting amped up because when I wake up my mind is already going 90 mph and I am unable to sleep in.
The weather report looks like I will have a wet first night. Just hope storms stay away. Don’t want to be on the water with big thunderstorms. I’ll have my good tent, all my wading gear and the boat cover is waterproof if I have to hunker down and wait out a storm. Just hope it is not like last year’s float where we had rain the first four nights. Don’t want to wear waders for an extended time.
I have had a pretty good response from the Mayors. Mayor Baker of Fort Smith is going to be at the launch on Saturday. I’ve had a couple of other commitments. I have to call the newspapers and TV stations again and remind them of the trip. I hope they feel a 56 year old, stage 4 cancer survivor, rowing a 14 1/2 foot boat, 430 miles down the Arkansas River, solo is newsworthy.
I am charging up all the camera batteries and will take a bunch of video and photos of the trip. Maybe I’ll even get a shot of the Ivory Billed Woodpecker.I’ll make sure I keep everyone informed of my progress through this blog and please be generous to Reel Recovery. These men are in a battle of their lives and the retreats are a life changer.
10
Mar
10
Finally
According to actress Amber Heard’s Web site (believe it or not, it’s called “Adoring Amber Heard“), “The River Why,” the new Matthew Leuwyler movie based on the David James Duncan novel, will premiere at the Dallas Film Festival April 8-18. “Directed by Matthew Leutwyler, The River Why is a drama based on the novel by David James Duncan about a man known as ‘the Mozart of fly fishing’ who leaves his big city home in rebellion from his family. In the process he comes in contact with an assortment of eccentric characters who help him in his journey to adulthood. The film stars Zach Gilford, Amber Heard, William Hurt, Kathleen Quinlan and William Devane.”
The movie has been in production for some time, with a court case and drawn-out funding search slowing the process. But even a small crossover audience could provide a nice spring bump to the sport’s retailers and outfitters.
We’re hoping.
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