well that was the shortest canoe trip ever!!!
at the very first portage around these rapids only hours down river from the landing..
the portage yoke BUSTED!!
with the gunwale damaged i had no way to attach a repaired or field replacement yoke to the canoe.if i had been several days out i could of used the old method of canoe carry by laying the paddles over the thwarts and lashing them down to make a frame that would rest on my shoulders.
i decided to head back home to Minneapolis and make real repairs,i have another unused yoke that i can attach to the new gunwale.this was a "retired old guy" decision.i can get a new permit and go back to canoe country just about anytime i please.
if i was still working i would of made a fix and kept going.
another couple at the portage said i should drive into Ely,the main canoe outfitting town and get a rental canoe or new parts.
that would of been hours of driving on a dirt road plus dealing with the gear.take it or hide it while i made the trip.
home sounded like a better idea.
now the drive back is down the 35W freeway that runs thru forests full of deer...see whats coming?
yup,at 65MPH at dusk a big doe bolted out and right into the left side of the car ripping off the mirror...lucky?? you bet.
a deer that could of come over the hood and up under the canoe rack would of been a major disaster.i was in a small pack of cars at the time and people stopped to see if i was ok..
so back home and at a junk yard for a new mirror and the canoe up on saw horses for some woodwork and i'll post a new "alone and out of it" when the time comes
It sucks that you had to turn back to make repairs but hopefully the weather will be nice and you can head back out soon.
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