Texoma/Red/Trinity

“This is the end. My only friend, the end.”-The Doors

Friday, November 21st

I finished Texoma today.  Sort of.  I wanted to complete as much of the lake as possible because of uncertain weather conditions tomorrow and Sunday.  It is suppose to rain a few inches tomorrow and Sunday winds are expected to be very strong.

I woke up at 3:00am and prepared for launch.  I paddled into the morning darkness, leaving Eisenhower Park at 4:00.  It was interesting to paddle in the morning darkness, I could see ominous clouds to the north although radar indicated no rain was in the immediate area so I paddled on.

The day was overcast, the wind was at my back and I cooked.  I paddled further than I had expected, I even took an hour respite about 5 miles from the western edge of the lake.  After my break, I headed towards where I expected the Red River channel to resume on the other end of the lake.  I simply couldn’t locate it.

I would characterize the entire day as a success although it was maddening not finding the Red River channel.  What I didn’t understand was the typical channel was dry, simply a stretch of vines.  After paddling around the western edge of the Lake, unable to find the channel, I decided to paddle back about a mile to a suitable campsite.  I consulted with my support team (i.e. my brother, Andy, Norm, and Robin) and they indicated that there is another channel a bit further north than where I was paddling.  Nothing like wasting 2 hours looking for a river channel….I’ll find it tomorrow. Hopefully.  I understand we are expecting heavy showers tomorrow, my intention is to paddle on (unless we have lightning).

 

Saturday, November 22nd

I found the channel.  It took me a little while, I scouted it out by foot…but I made it to the other side of The Red.  I loved Texoma while it lasted, a destination I will paddle in the future.  It is a beautiful lake with many islands and seemingly great camping.

I had expected rain early in the morning.  It didn’t arrive until about 10:00.  It rained without pause until about 8:00pm.  I paddled through it, everything was wet, my hands shriveled up.  My feet were soaked, it was tough sledding. I was happy that, for the most part, I had a reliable channel to paddle in..I really didn’t have to drag my boat for long stretches.   The rain and current did slow my progress, I had hoped to finish the Red tomorrow (the end is the I35 bridge) although Monday is more likely now.

I did run into a John Boat during the height of the downpour.  Of course, I met 4 marines who were spending their weekend camping.  We had a nice chat and agreed we are either crazy or hearty souls for floating the Red in these conditions.  They extended an offer to come camp with them and I really wanted to accept…only it was early in the afternoon and I wanted to get closer to the I35 bridge.  It’s one of those situations where your heart says “Stop, camp, enjoy the opportunity!!” but my head said “You need to keep on keeping on!!”

I paddled on and setup my tent in very wet conditions.  Camping was less than  ideal..I am running out of dry socks.  I was relived to find the other side of the Red and I felt satisfied that I have almost completed this leg of the journey.

Sunday, November 23rd

What a difference a day can make, the skies were sunny, temps were perfect and I had an unexpectedly beautiful float today.  I passed by 50-60 foot granite cliffs, a nice horseshoe bend recreation area, and arrived a mere 5 miles from the end of the Red.

The scenery today was maybe the most enjoyable that I’ve experienced since the lower Red River.  I have lived in Dallas since 1993 and had no idea this natural beauty existed so close to home.  I’ll paddle this section again someday…only downstream next time.

I realized early in the day that I had no shot at the I-35 bridge so I took it easy and attempted to soak it in, I am excited to depart the Red…it has really been a tough past month but I wouldn’t have it any other way.   I finished the afternoon and found a nice elevated sandbar for what I expect will be my last night on The Red.

Monday, November 24th

The last day on The Red.  Unforgettable.

Last night I pulled my boat way up on the bank just in case of a water level rise (from the rains on Saturday).  I woke up to a completely different river, the river must have risen 4-5 feet, a quarter of my boat was in the water and all of the sandbars up river were under water.  I felt fortunate I camped where I did…had I chosen a different site, I could have been swamped.

With the rise in the river, my paddle didn’t touch bottom all the way to the I-35 bridge.  The challenge today was the current, it was as strong as I’ve seen the entire time on The Red.  I felt like I was paddling upstream on the Missouri or the Mississippi. I can’t complain too much since it was nice not to have to hop out of my boat.

As I approached the I-35 bridge, I passed by a private ramp where a truck was parked.  The truck drove down close to the river and the owner stepped out, somewhat in amazement that I was paddling up the Red on this particular day, and offered help.  I couldn’t stop paddling since I would be pushed downriver so I explained I am paddling to the I-35 bridge and have been on a journey since Montana.  He called BS on me, I laughed and said “no, it’s the truth.”   It must have been some spectacle seeing me struggle upstream on this particular day.

It was an emotional last few miles to the I-35 bridge, this was exacerbated when I saw someone on river left filming me.  At first, I thought this was my brother since he agreed to portage me to The Trinity from the I-35 bridge.  I quickly realized it wasn’t Kevin and couldn’t figure out who would be filming me.  As I approached the individual, I realized it was Norm Miller.  I was in shock.  This may have been the biggest surprise of my life.  It took me about a day to process that he drove down from Montana to join in my last week of paddling.  Still can’t believe it.

I arrived at the bridge, the gentlemen who called BS on me was there to greet me…he is a landowner and a terrific guy.  He just had a hard time believing someone paddled from Montana to The Red.  Also, it was great to have Kevin and Norm there to greet me with a cold beverage.  The Sherman News, by happenstance, was also there and I did a quick interview.

We cleaned the boat, went to a local restaurant, and they dropped me back into the Trinity.  It was a highly emotional few hours.  I finished my nemesis, The Red, was surprised by Norm, and found myself actually on The Trinity.  Tough to articulate my feelings.

After Norm and Kevin portaged me to the Trinity, I paddled (Um, carried my boat) a few more hours.  This section of the Trinity really isn’t ideal for paddling.  In fact, I spent more time carrying my boat than paddling.  After a tough couple hours, I found an elevated bank and called it a night. Ray Roberts is next.