Starting the day with a sleeping bag coated with ice (due to frozen condensation) is usually not a good sign. Thankfully, Karl stayed warm and woke up once again to the sound of a great horned owl. Cold toes have been a recurring theme thus far, but today's headwind is a harbinger of warm weather to come. Unfortunately, it also made for a tough day of rowing. Camp was made near the friendly confines of the Mount Morris Boat Club (where all one must do to receive the highest level of hospitality is simply mention the name "Urish").
Today's coordinates: 42 05.825 n 89 19.317w
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Day 2
Hononegah Forest Preserve-An Island in the Rock River, Rockford
The highlight of any visit to Rockford, other than the portage point downtown, is a visit to Uncle Nick's. Karl dined on a combo (with Mr. Pibb, of course) and his digestive system lived to tell the tale. Huge houses with big windows and no people marked the journey upstream of Rockford, with the tables turning to empty factories dotting the shore through the city. Last night was warm and dry, although there was a bit of hail as Karl set up the tent. The day was bookended by a barred owl in the morning and a nice step into Nico's poop in the afternoon. Ah, wildlife. In lieu of human contact, Karl's brain has already began speaking to him with the voice of his Hulk Hogan toothbrush. Things should be ok as long as the conversation remains one way.
Today's coordinates: 42 14.477 n 89 06.446 w
The highlight of any visit to Rockford, other than the portage point downtown, is a visit to Uncle Nick's. Karl dined on a combo (with Mr. Pibb, of course) and his digestive system lived to tell the tale. Huge houses with big windows and no people marked the journey upstream of Rockford, with the tables turning to empty factories dotting the shore through the city. Last night was warm and dry, although there was a bit of hail as Karl set up the tent. The day was bookended by a barred owl in the morning and a nice step into Nico's poop in the afternoon. Ah, wildlife. In lieu of human contact, Karl's brain has already began speaking to him with the voice of his Hulk Hogan toothbrush. Things should be ok as long as the conversation remains one way.
Today's coordinates: 42 14.477 n 89 06.446 w
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Step One (We can have lots of fun)
Day One began in the most auspicious manner possible-with Eagle Eye Cherry and "Save Tonight" as the final song on the radio before putting the canoe into the Rock River. Thanks to a speedy current, Karl made it to his campsite well before dusk (42 25.883n 89 02.931w). There was been a bit of rain, but all in all a pleasant first day on the river. Karl and Nico braved the confluence of the Rock River and Turtle Creek (never to be known as Buccaneer Creek) and lived to tell the tale. The only bird of note was a northern harrier. Oh wait, maybe it was this one. Until tomorrow...
Stats O' the Day
-1 portage
-1 box of jambalaya
-high temperature: 49 degrees
Stats O' the Day
-1 portage
-1 box of jambalaya
-high temperature: 49 degrees
Futile Devices
Feel free to follow along via latitude, longitude, and your mapping preference. (Google Earth works just fine, but USGS quad maps are wonderful.)
Each night that I have cell phone reception, I'll text the coordinates of my camp site to Eaux who will post the fun on here. I'll even use the remaining characters in my texting as a way of providing a brief update. Perhaps, if I'm lucky, I'll develop some Sarah Palin Twitter skills.
Refudiate.
Starting location:
42 30.320 N, 89 01.686 W
Point of entry to the Rock River:
42 30.309 N, 89 01.941 W
Each night that I have cell phone reception, I'll text the coordinates of my camp site to Eaux who will post the fun on here. I'll even use the remaining characters in my texting as a way of providing a brief update. Perhaps, if I'm lucky, I'll develop some Sarah Palin Twitter skills.
Refudiate.
Starting location:
42 30.320 N, 89 01.686 W
Point of entry to the Rock River:
42 30.309 N, 89 01.941 W
Changes Aren't Permanent, But Change Is
I am about to go canoeing.
Due to the late hour along with last second tidying of the great clutter, I won't be able to devote too much time into this. Apologies (one).
So, the basics:
What - Beloit, Wisconsin to Houston, Texas.
How - In a 17 foot canoe.
Where - I'll walk the canoe from 817 Church St to the Rock River. From there: Rock River to the Mississippi River. In Louisiana I'll lock over to the Atchafalaya River and travel south until the Intracoastal Waterway. I'll make a right hand turn and head to Houston. And if I'm feeling up to it, a finishing upstream paddle of Buffalo Bayou.
Who - Just me and Nico (dog).
When - November 4, 2010 until ???? I don't have a clue. Apologies (two). But I'm going to try to find out.
Why - For the same reason that was given to the Panama City Beach security guards when they inquired about digging holes in the sand.
Apologies (three). All of you deserved finding out about these plans in a much more personal way. I really had planned on it, too, but the whole great clutter of my house (if you've ever visited 817 Church... you know) took a bit of time to sort out/throw away/donate away. In fact, if my parents hadn't of arrived to help, I'd still be sorting through the mess and I wouldn't have been able to leave until it was really (really) too cold. As it turns out, I have quite the keepsake/sentimental value problem.
But I've released my possessions (well, some of them). I've released my lease. I've released my employment. My shoulders feel light... I'm ready to paddle.
Due to the late hour along with last second tidying of the great clutter, I won't be able to devote too much time into this. Apologies (one).
So, the basics:
What - Beloit, Wisconsin to Houston, Texas.
How - In a 17 foot canoe.
Where - I'll walk the canoe from 817 Church St to the Rock River. From there: Rock River to the Mississippi River. In Louisiana I'll lock over to the Atchafalaya River and travel south until the Intracoastal Waterway. I'll make a right hand turn and head to Houston. And if I'm feeling up to it, a finishing upstream paddle of Buffalo Bayou.
Who - Just me and Nico (dog).
When - November 4, 2010 until ???? I don't have a clue. Apologies (two). But I'm going to try to find out.
Why - For the same reason that was given to the Panama City Beach security guards when they inquired about digging holes in the sand.
Apologies (three). All of you deserved finding out about these plans in a much more personal way. I really had planned on it, too, but the whole great clutter of my house (if you've ever visited 817 Church... you know) took a bit of time to sort out/throw away/donate away. In fact, if my parents hadn't of arrived to help, I'd still be sorting through the mess and I wouldn't have been able to leave until it was really (really) too cold. As it turns out, I have quite the keepsake/sentimental value problem.
But I've released my possessions (well, some of them). I've released my lease. I've released my employment. My shoulders feel light... I'm ready to paddle.
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