Post #7: Sleeping Pad

My wife purchased a new delux sleeping pad for me.

Post #6: Hero 3+

My wife purchased the GoPro Hero3+ for me.

Post #5: Solar Charger

After researching solar chargers, the PowerMonkey Extreme is my new addition to my electronic collection. I have charged the 9000mAh battery numerous times and it holds 98% charge each time. It has charged my cell phone, iPad, AA and AAA batteries, and my iPod. It takes 12 to 15 hours to achieve a full charge (98%) via the AC outlet. I had to purchase the GoalZero Guide 10 Plus AA/AAA charger in order to charge the Garmin GPS, headlamp, and the Gygo bike light that will be used for night paddling. I have yet to use the solar panel.

Post #4: Inspiration

When I first conceived this paddle I spent time trying to talk myself out of doing it.  The question I couldn't answer was " "Why would I want to paddle nearly 769 river miles?"  I have the equipment.  It wouldn't cost much and it would be a great experience.  Still, "Why?"

My first epic mountain bike tour was going to be in the coastal mountains of British Columbia.  It was inspired by this blog:
http://www.leelau.net/2006/taseko0706/tasekolorna280706/tasekolorna.htm
My wife will not join me for her fear of the numerous bears in the area.  My neighbor said no.  I have no biking friends that would do this ride.  I may have to do this one alone and it will take plenty of training.

I came across the following blog and it inspired me.  An Aussie flew to the States leaving his wife and child at home and he purchased most of his equipment in the States and he had never been in a kayak before.  Yet, he paddle from Three Forks, Mt. to St. Louis.  I was impressed.  Here is his story:
http://www.steadypaddling.com
Recently I read a blog written by a women who is making her way down the Missouri River from the headwaters of the Jefferson River to New Orleans.  She could be the first women to solo the journey.
Her blog is still on going at:
http://loveyourbigmuddy.com
I received my degree from Western in Bellingham, Wa. in the early 70's and started teaching and coaching soon after that.  WWU has a publication called Window and it is sent to the alumni.  The 2013 Fall/Winter edition had a story about two Western grads that made their way from Bellingham to the northwest coast of Alaska after rowing, skiing, hiking, paddling, and route finding over numerous passes for a 4,000 mile journey.  Now that is impressive.  Not only the physical and mental aspects but the logistics alone would overwhelm the toughest and most skilled backpacker.  Their impressive story is found here:    
http://carolineandpat.wordpress.com
After reading those four epic journeys, I finally can answer the question "Why would I want to paddle nearly 769 river miles?"
Simple.  There is no better time than now.  I am not getting any younger.

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Post #3: Historical Sites

I read Glenn Monahan's Montana's Wild and Scenic Upper Missouri River and transferred the historical sites he describes to my Garmin. The paddle will not be a race. Stretching my legs while searching for historical sites will be needed.  I am still searching for coordinates locating fossils on the Missouri River.
Small items remain to complete the deck.

Post #2: Mileage Waypoints

Our Thanksgiving Day was outstanding due to the weather and the well prepared dinner. We deep fried our eleven pound turkey in peanut oil for a short time in order to seal the juices inside and then finished the turkey in the oven.  Click on the link below the photo to view video.
All the mileage waypoints and Lewis and Clark campsites are located in my Garmin.  Next up is to locate the historical and geological sites along the river.
The last of the east decking was laid this week.  I do have a long call list to complete before I can declare the east deck finished. Now on to the south deck.

https://picasaweb.google.com/106860856195924737795/OurFall2013#5951559167262753106

Post #1: Planning in November 2013 for a Memorial Day 2014 launch

The Pacific Northwest rain has me short on energy for completing the south section of the deck. My lower right leg is painful.  Those are excuses for staying inside and starting the serious work of planning my 2014 spring trip. I explained to my wife, Ellen, that I wanted to drive to San Diego, buy a surf board, and work my way up the coast to San Clemente learning how to surf. That is option B.  Option A is a solo kayak trip from Three Forks, Montana to Fork Peck Dam starting on May 25, 2014.  Ellen, my wife, would join me at Fort Peck after she releases her students for the summer on June 18th.  It would take her two days to reach Fort Peck. She would join me for the 224 or so miles on the river to Williston, North Dakota.  That section would take us between seven and 10 days.

At this time I am going with option A unless something out of my control happens to me, the Missouri River, or to Ellen or the pups.
I am using the book The Complete Kayaker as my main source of information.  It is a very well written book for anyone wanting to float the Missouri River.  The past two days I have been studying the author's campsites and by using his GPS coordinates and Google Earth I have been able to locate his campsites. I have printed the campsites from the Google Earth images and will place the images in a binder for use on the river.  He did it in two weeks and I will plan for 18 days to reach Fort Peck Marina where I will wait for Ellen's arrival.
The wind is a huge concern of mine.  Especially on Fort Peck Lake.
The east deck's last row of decking was installed this week. 

You can skip the posts that are about the preparation and go directly to the start of the journey by clicking on this link:
http://jarvinenj.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-journey-begins-day-1.html


Missouri River, kayak, Three Forks, Montana, solo kayak, BLM, western Montana, Lewis and Clark Corp of Discovery, Canyon Ferry Lake, Canyon Ferry Dam, Hauser Lake, Hauser Dam, Holter Dam, Holter Lake, Kim's Marina,  Townsend, Montana