Day 48 - Rain pinned & Tent bound
Day 48
Rain pinned and tent bound
Within the first thirty seconds of waking up I momentary worried I had overslept. I unzipped my tents vestibule door and looked down river. Thick dark clouds filled the sky filled sky, brewin up cold and mean August storms. I relaxed and laid back in the tent, dozing off to the sound o rain and wind tapping the blowing the tent.
This seemed to be a theme for much of the day. Lying half awake in the tent, thinking about life and listening to the storm rage. Heavy bouts of rain fell in what seemed like well timed intervals of fifteen to twenty minutes. Personally, I welcomed the rain day. After a solid stretch of miles a full day off was in order. A day of rest will do my body and mind well.
Other than being tent bound, we did get out and set up the bug tarp in a lean-to fashion to protect us from the rain and storms. Although a bit crammed, it worked well enough, keeping us dry and warm through coffee, tea, granola, mashed potatoes, and pasta.
Looking at the map it’s hard to believe this trip is beginning to wind down. Just 350 miles to the Bering Sea. Then what for me? I’m a bit unsure. I have a date with Leah in Bozeman September 15th. I would like to work out a scenario where I could work in Winnona, MN.
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the Mississippi on this trip. That was a defining trip for me. I’m on a big, beautiful river now, but all I keep thinking about is the Miss and the people I met along the way. I do know though, that one day in the near future I will look back in time and yearn for this moment again. Pinned down by rain and wind bound on the sandy tip of Eagle Island, south of Kaltag, Alaska, among big water and gnarly mountains, where I can think clearly and slow down. I know for a fact that I will indeed yearn for this moment most of my life. I’m enjoying it.