Our campsite worked well last night. The rain started as we were eating dinner which allowed us to catch rain water for our droms. We are carrying 3 droms which is enough for 3 days of water. We have been surprised at the lack of streams so are glad of the opportunity to refill our droms with rain water. The rain continued all night, love our hilderberg tent. We can take the body down so it remains dry and pack the fly from it separately. We had found an easier way down the embankment. It still meant passing the gear down, but that was easier than taking it down by itself. Once again we read the description of the three rapids that we must navigate today. If we time it correctly we should be able to get thru all three of them safely. We are on the water by 7:30 which should give us enough time to hit the first rapids near slack tide. The day is overcast and some rain is still falling. It is a contrast from yesterday.
Looking at the narrows where we will encounter the first rapid
A barge is also waiting to head thru at the right time
We pass the first resort and then realize that the resort that we have been looking for that was mentioned in our guidebook has a new name and a new look. Now it make sense that we were not able to find it yesterday. The water is still flooding so it is not slack yet. We continue down a little further where some more buildings and docks are visible. We see the man who we saw yesterday in the small sail boat, since we have some time before slack we paddle over and learn his story. His name is Jerry and he built the sailboat from a kit. He own a larger sailboat which he calls the Cats Cradle. This boat is called Kitty, which he says he enjoys sailing it more than the larger one. Last night a decent wind from the south blew and he was able to make good time. He is in no hurry and will go where the wind and current flows. Several sailboats are waiting for the tide to shift as well. This area is where the tide changes direction which results in some of the confusion of the seas. As the current slows we easily make it thru the Yuculta Rapids. It is ebbing now and going in our direction. We are relieved that all the hype of this rapid would only be true if you went thru at the wrong time. Our next named rapid is Dent and this one is also a breeze. We are feeling good about our progress and make it thru Gilmore with no problem. The ebb tide lasts about 6 hours which means we have the current with us for that amount of time. It is an easy day of paddling. In one of the guidebooks a restaurant is mentioned of having good food, located before the last named rapid of this section. When we notice a sign in the trees we begin to anticipate the upcoming restaurant.
It evens has a channel that you can call ahead to order food. (so we thought)
We see several more signs and begin to wonder if they might have ice cream or another kind of desert. Than again a hamburger might taste good as well. It has been a cold day with on and off rain. We see the following sign:
This looks promising
We paddle into the docks and tie up our kayaks, The business looks a bit run down, but we are thinking that they must have something to offer with the sign saying open.
A little worn down, but there are picnic tables.
We are immediately drawn to numerous hummingbirds drinking at the feeders. As we are watching these tiny little birds happily eating out comes Wayne. He is one of the partners of the lodge. He and his partner bought this lodge three years ago and both have had serious health problems. The lodge is not in very good condition and the restaurant is closed. Wayne had a stroke and is the only one here. He is slowly recovering, but can not do much of the badly needed work. he gives us a tour and tells us a bit of the history. We are fascinated by the hummingbirds and get some good photos of them feeding.
It male Rufous Hummingbird
This is the female Rufous. Notice that she is sharing the feeder with a bee,
Another bird is singing away.
A barn swallow
Wayne has many stories to tell.
We say goodby to Wayne and the hummingbirds and make it thru Greene, the last named rapids of this section. All good things must come to an end and when the tide begins to flood we are noticeable slowed in our progress, We decide to start looking for a camp and check out an area next to a stream. Usually we are camped on the beach, but beyond the beach is a campsite nestled in the woods. We place our tent on a moss covered area and set up a cooking tarp. One can tell that it has been used as a camp before, we are thinking most likely a logging camp. On long days like this one we appreciate all the dehydrated meals that we have prepared. It makes cooking so easy. The cloudy cold morning has changed to sun and we have another thing to be thankful for!
Feels good to be thru the rapids and a chance to take in the views.
Even our little mascot looks refreshed!
Life is good.
We are in bed by 8 and plan on leaving late morning on an ebbing tide. Plan on trying to make it to Sayward where we have sent our first resupply.