The Final Post & The Last 2 Days

“Think of me and I’ll be there. We had joy, we had fun. We had seasons in the sun, but the hills that we climbed were just seasons out of time.”-Terry Jacks

Well…for the few of you that still have a modicum of interest in my final days, I apologize for the delay.  Last year I followed Scott Mestrezat’s  blog (www.missouririversup.com) and he took forever to post his last entries.  I now understand why.  I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to articulate my experience entirely, and quite frankly I’m not sure I want it to end….but it has and here are some of my thoughts… Thank you for following.

A month+ has passed since I completed the journey.  It has gone by quickly.  Al Michaels describes his 1980 U.S.A. Hockey call “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!!” as an out of body experience.  This is similar to how I feel when replaying my journey.  I do miss it.  Don’t get me wrong, it needed to conclude…I missed my wife, my home, I need a job, etc. but I miss EVERYTHING about the trip.  I miss the stress of worrying about finding a suitable campsite before dark, I miss the sunset, I miss the owls hooting (not Gary from Spirit Hill’s impersonation), the coyote’s wail, the crisp mornings, breaking down camp and heading out for the day….I remember it all. I recall departing Twin Bridges, getting turned around by the second bend, hitting that dam train trestle beam and capsizing-getting pushed down the Jefferson.  The phone call explaining to my wife that I lost it all, Mike Comer’s incredible quick actions in securing my boat down river, meeting Norm, Fort freaking Peck, Lake Sakakawea, the crazy frozen week on the Red (who paddles up the Red?)…the weather, the rain, and of course, the people. I could go on and on. I won’t.

I discovered much about myself on the journey, I would have to say that I am determined (perhaps misguided), dedicated, stubborn, and hopefully more generous in the future.  I don’t want to make to much out being a changed person, the reality is my DNA is my DNA, but I do think when one goes on this type of journey, one gains a much greater appreciation for the outdoors and how truly restorative it can be. I learned to paddle…sort of, just don’t ask me about the J stroke.  I feel fortunate to have taken such a journey, who know what the future holds for any of us?

With that….here is the last two days….

Friday, November 28th

The boat survived the night in the woods.  There was  The Helinda still hidden in the woods at Bus. 121 and the Trinity in Lewisville.  The goal today, fairly ambitious, was to paddle to Trinity View Park in Irving.  This will position me about 6 miles from the finish tomorrow and allow a relatively stress free final paddle to the Continental Bridge.   I pretty much have to be there at 3:30 tomorrow so I want to get as close as possible without having to paddle my rump off tomorrow.  Mission accomplished-but not without difficulties.

Norm and I set out on a glorious, perfect sun filled morning.  The paddle was beautiful.  Again, it is hard to believe this is the “Metroplex.”  We paddled through the autumn colored Trinity River thru the heart of North Dallas Suburbia, we passed under many bridges that I have driven over countless times.  My main thought for the day was “Wow, it really is amazing how few people have probably never experienced the Metroplex in this fashion.”   Norm was great, it was rewarding to have him share the experience and I think he was surprised at the beauty of the Trinity.  Not to say it was all beautiful, there were sections that were so backed up with trash that I thought I was back in Louisiana paddling through the maze of lily pads…only it was plastic containers and trash.  A  heartbreaking sight.  All in all though it was (just another brick in the walk) a great float.

We did have three uncontrolled dams we had to portage around, so Norm really came in handy.  We were easily able to carry the canoe around the structures and paddle on.  After the 1st dam underneath Sandy Lake & the Trinity (who knew that was a dam) we continued on and there was Scott Mestrezat waiting on the river bank for us.  Scott happened to be in town to spend Thanksgiving with his girlfriend’s parents and it was a joy to finally meet him in person, and on the river nonetheless.  Scott has wasted many hours of his life chatting with me about his experience in paddling.  Time he will never get back.  Anyway, after a short meeting with Scott, Norm and I continued on.

The flow of the Trinity was great until we portaged around the 3rd dam (close to 183 and the Trinity).  The day was escaping us as we made our last few miles to Trinity View Park..and we were dragging the boat down the Trinity.  It’s only appropriate that some of the last hours were spent walking/carrying the boat with Norm in the shadows of the 183 bridge.  Norm and I finally arrived at Trinity View Park just about sunset, I wasn’t comfortable with leaving my boat there so I arranged for it to be housed with Charles Allen.  Charles has guided trips on the Trinity for 20+ years and was more than happy to keep my vessel at his house for the evening. Vicki picked Norm and I up and shuttled us back to Kevin’s house.  Again, I don’t want to go home until I get home….and tomorrow is that day!!!!   Surreal. I.am.in.Dallas.

All systems a go for today.

Dig Norm!!

Really. This is the Trinity. Really.

More Trinity

I miss the beard.

That’s Sandy Lake

Here’s Scotty!!

Beautiful.

Almost to Trinity View Park

Saturday, November 29th

Today is the final day although it  doesn’t feel like it. I have a sense this is just another stop along the journey but that is not the case.  The paddling stops today (for this voyage). It seems strange to schedule a time to complete the journey but I am really looking forward to seeing everyone greet me as I finish the voyage.

Norm declined to paddle the final miles with me, he felt it would be more suitable if finished by myself.  Personally, I felt it has more to do with the 20mph SE winds.  We arrived back at Trinity View Park and one of the local channels was there to interview me as I departed.  It was only fitting that my last day was a windy afternoon, I think old friend Sakakawea was trying to get in a last shot, but I prevailed anyway.  I really had not paddled my canoe empty with a headwind, the paddling was challenging but I managed to finish the last 6 miles.  In fact, I departed too early and ended up taking an hour break underneath the Sylvan Ave bridge.  This was also fitting because last January I scouted out this same location and was run off by the Texas Dept. of Transportation.  Prior to the trip, I had anticipated this would be the final landing location before realizing the construction for the boat ramp would not be completed until after my voyage.  While I was scouting out the location last year, the road wasn’t even open then, security approached me and required I leave ASAP.  I attempted to explain that I was on a “scouting mission” and that I was going to canoe all the way from Montana to this location.  The security guard didn’t buy my story.  I would give a penny for his thoughts now…..

During my break, I reflected on the journey.  My thoughts primarily consisted of thinking of all the people I had met along the way.  It was emotional.

I gathered myself and paddled the last mile of the journey and arrived underneath the Contintal Bridge.  The turnout was surprising, of course I couldn’t land properly and the wind carried me past the bridge.  I worked hard turn the boat around arrived underneath the Continental Bridge.   Thank you to everyone for coming out and participating in my final day. It meant more to me thank you’ll ever know.  (even you Ron)

As Norm explained, now the journey really begins……

For those of you that want to see additional photos of the last few days you can friend https://www.facebook.com/groups/friendsofthevoyage and click on photos.  Thank you to all for posting.

getting prepared for the final day

see you Norm and Kent

the wind is from that direction

westmoreland

almost the last bridge

hangin out underneath sylvan…the lower bridge is where I was trespassing last year

that way to Dallas

there she is

Dallas TX, Hollywood!!

Hello Marge!!

..you can do it

arrived