It's not meant to be...

Well, I have spent nearly a week in Winnipeg. I exhausted all my options as far as a return trip from York Factory. I just can't get things to work out. I am very confident I can make the paddle to York Factory. There is just no possible way of me getting back. Sadly this means I will have to change my route. Here is a list of all the possibilities I looked into:

Paddle up the Hayes (Current too strong)
Paddle up the Nelson(Dams make current too unpredictable)
Paddle up the Bay to Churchill (illegal and extremely dangerous)
Boat Charter (not in service this year)
Ed Zalinsky's personal boat (not in service this year)
Calm Air (too expensive)
Venture Air (too expensive)
Gillam Air (too expensive)
A pilot I met in Grand Forks (border patrol won't let him cross)
Hike Back (can only carry about 2 weeks worth of food)

Additionally my friends in Winnipeg asked around their friends and family in Northern Manitoba, to no avail.

I don't know of any other way to return from York Factory. However, I am nowhere near ready to be done paddling for the summer. It's been such a blast so far, I want to keep doing it until I have to be in Kansas. So, I have formulated a much more flexible plan:

Paddle up to Norway House on the north end of the lake

From there I can either:
A)hitch a ride to the train, take the train to Churchill, return to Norway House, and paddle back to the south end of the lake B)paddle to Thicket Portage, take the train to churchill, return and paddle back to the south end of the lake, or C) simply paddle back to the south end of the lake

From the South end of Lake Winnipeg, depending on how much time is left in the summer I will either:
A)call it quits B) hang out in Winnipeg again C)paddle the Winnipeg River to Lake of the Woods.

I'm disappointed that I won't finish what I set out to do, but I have experienced so much on this trip already it's impossible to consider it a failure. For my next adventure I will simply have to sell more t-shirts.

I hope to continue updating as my plans become more concrete, but the northern half of Lake Winnipeg is sparsely populated.

Rudy

Winnipeg

I made Winnipeg now and have to spend a few days here. Wonderful city. Smiling friendly faces everywhere.

After the border the river current really picked up and I could manage about 70 miles a day no sweat. That was a blast, hard to imagine I was working my tail off on the Minnesota and only making about 2 miles an hour. Seems like a long time ago.

Have to be brief as my internet time is nearly up.

Rudy

Grand Forks, ND

Hello

Currently I am hanging out in Grand Forks. I have a very kind host and access to a computer.

Progress is very steady lately. I can do about 50 miles a day. Had some storms a few days back that made me sit out for a while. They weren't all bad, got to test my new rain gear and take a rest. Except for that it's been nothing but sunshine.

I got to paddle with my good friend Chuck a few days back. That was a nice change. We met some nice folks in Wolverton who gave us a spot to camp, a fire to cook on, and all the Hamm's we could drink.

Hope to make Winnipeg in a week or so.

Rudy

Russ and I met up with Rudy today in Browns Valley. Here's what he has to say:

Made it to Browns Valley, a wonderful little town that happens to be on the continental divide. Happily that also means my down-stream traveling begins. I spent so much time and energy on the Minnesota it was (almost) hard to finally be done with it.
My parents came to meet me and help me with the two mile portage from Big Stone Lake to Traverse Lake. Nice to spend the day with them.
Wonderful sunny days lately, hope it continues.
Hope to update more often.
Rudy

No more up-stream nonsense

Howdy

I've made it to the Lac Qui Parle dam. After this there really isn't a lot of current left on the Minnesota. It was a tough trek up the Minnesota at flood stage. Hopefully it will make everything else seem a little easier.

The folks from CURE have been doing an amazing job at taking care of me. I have had a couch or bed to crash on for the past 4 days now. I am truly thankful for all the kindness I have been shown.

This sure has been fun so far.

Rudy

Granite Falls

Howdy

I'm spending the rest of today in Granite Falls (and tomorrow actually). I got a very kind and hospitable family to stay with. I've already met the mayor and got plans to be interviewed by the local paper.

Paddling has been kinda rough lately. The wind and rain really haven't let up in the past two weeks. I've decided not to paddle when it's what I call "really hard rain". I tipped about a week ago and thankfully it was a sunny day otherwise I wouldn't have dried out very quickly. If I tip when the rain and wind are coming down hard it's likely to turn into an emergency situation what with the hypothermia and all. Despite the weather, my spirits haven't been dampered. There is so much adventure to be had.

I did get a letter from KU saying orientation is a week earlier than I originally planned. This cuts off a week on an already time crunched trip. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and make up some of this lost time on the Red River.

All in all I'm having a great time. I really appreciate all the comments written on the blog and I'm thinking about friends and family back in Hutch town.

And a note on writing letters: if they are sent "express mail" the post office will only hold them for 5 days.

Peace,

Rutherford

Letter from Rudy

Here's what Rudy has to say:"Been some hard paddlin' going upstream, but still making progress. Made it to St. Peter on the 1st. Can't wait to head down river again." As written to Mom in a letter.