day 56: the 30 minute storm if the century

We heard there was a storm approaching but had no iad it would be what it was.  We had unfortunately  set up the boat on a hill side tied off to a tree.  We set up our tarps and braced for the storm.  What happened next no one could have expected.  We, and the boats, and our supplies were at mercy to 30 to 40 mph winds.  After taking on a furious storm for 30 minutes we were able to see the reckage.  The canoe must have slipped down the hill side and the supplies fell out with it.

I lost my go pro, all the footage, my shoes, my hat, my water bottle, and a whole lot of other things that we pretty essential to the quest.  Erik also lost a bunch of his food, his cooking tools, and a lot more.

Bummer.  I learned a lesson, maybe a few.  One that I've learned before but was reminded again that you can't prepare for everything.  Also that letting go of materials you put energy into is essential for moving on with good spirits.  It's like breaking up with a significant  other that you still have feelings for.  You know it's gone and have to move on but it's still tough.

Anyway we covered good ground yesterday and ran into other people doing the river.  They were staying in hotels and were sponsered by goldman sachs so I'm guessing they haven't been through any hardships or have had to figure anything out on their own, other than rates at hotels.  I respect the ethusiasm but don't respect the fact they are calling it an adventure when they are getting pampered every night.

This river is so beautiful I can't believe someone would do this trip and even want to stay indoors.  Falling asleep looking at stars and cooking food with propane or fire is why I do this.  Good luck to the other people doing the river, god knows they need it more than we do.

I feel better and better every day I wake up.  I get to go running on sand beaches in the morning then go swimming.  I also came up with the best breakfast.  Peanut butter and pineapple.  You gotta try it.  My dinner is ramon, tuna, and bacon bits, bomb.

Well, most of our stuff is gone.  We are low on cooking fuel, and are about 1 miles away from going on a stretch of ruver where there is no towns for 260 miles, and I haven't felt better in my life.  May the force be with us.

Oh ya, there's storms in the forcast all week.  This might be my last post for a while but I'll keep entries in a paper pencil journal.

570 miles to go.

I also had a coyote come within 15 feet of my tent the last night.  I said "get outta here, go on, get!", and he did.