Ashley and Joey had been planning on a fine solstice celebration since we started. In fact, we had been sipping on the peach schnaps, courtesy of Ashley and Joey, in anticipation of June 21 since the beginning of our trip. Yes, peach schnaps - but better yet, it was contained in some kind of peach water bottle or something - peach on peach. I wouldn't touch it at home, but is tasted surprisingly good on the hike!
We decided since the solstice was a special day that we'd get up at 5:30 a.m. and see some animals. We'd certainly seen the tracks, but we were short on real sightings. Yep, saw one duck and called it good.
Beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky - but the wind started right away. Although people tend to exaggerate wind speed, it had to have been between 15 and up to 30 miles per hour in the gusts. We paddled hard for 2 hours, lay on a sand bar for half an hour, and paddled for 2 hours again - and again - and again. At our ages, I thought we were quite studly. We still needed a rest. Whew! I thought this was going to be a float, not a paddle.
Look at that sky.
At least when the wind blew, the mosquitoes were fewer.
The river started to change character as we left the mountains. We saw many more birch trees, rocky shores, and the river banks were higher.
After a long day of paddling, we had a solstice feast of couscous, chicken, decaf coffee with Baileys, and Joey and Ashley's river cooled cheesecake.
Then it was time to wipe the sand off the feet and go to bed! After all, there's not much difference in solstice light when it's light 24 hours a day anyway!!!
HAPPY SOLSTICE!!! May your feet be washed and clean!
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