Post #30: Trout Motel, Cascade, Mt., Friday, May 30

Speed: 6-8 mph

Miles: 19

Time: 7:38 am to 12:10 pm

Campsite location:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/47%C2%B016'23.1%22N+111%C2%B041'58.7%22W/@47.27309,-111.69963,12z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en

                               

It's Friday and the landscape tells me I am out of the mountains now. The river is still flowing north. I launched at 8:30--a bit late as I needed extra rest. Half Breed Rapids were tough and scary and about half a mile long! There was a rock in the middle that you had to make a sharp left at, which plunged you into more rapids.There was a drift boat off to the right and I am sure they were watching how the kayak handled the rapids. My heart was pounding for a while afterwards. I stopped at 10:00 and had breakfast and called my wife to let her know I'd made it through the rapids without getting wet. There was no wind, and the sun was warm and the current good all the way to the town of Cascade.

                                         

Jared, a guide and his clients, joined me at Pelican FAS (Fishing Access Site), where I had breakfast           after Half Breed Rapids, rapids.

                                       

Take out at Cascade FAS; half mile portage to the Trout Motel, the old Badger Motel. The portage cart worked flawlessly. The backpack was full of gear and hung over my shoulders on top of my PFD. The spray skirt was worn and the six gallons of water stayed in the cockpit.

                                       

I managed to fit my16-foot kayak into a 14 foot motel room by putting it diagonally across the two beds. The hot shower was wonderful and I was able to do my laundry! I had some greasy chicken, onion rings and a beer for dinner.

                             

Mike, the new owner of the Trout Motel in Cascade, called Terry and Pam, who used to own the motel. He asked if I could see Terry's wooden kayaks. They invited me over and I walked the two blocks. Terry met me in front and took me to the back deck where Pam and a friend were enjoying the view of the river. They offered me a glass of wine, but I told them that I wanted to see his kayaks. They are cedar artwork. It was a relaxing and great day on and off the water.

                                        

                                   Walking the streets of Cascade to Terry and Pam's.

   I visited Terry, the former owner of the Trout Motel, 

   who makes cedar kayaks. They are a work of art. 


Terry's beautiful wooden boats which he estimated 
as having invested around 500 hours in building each.