Spring Trifecta (Fishing/Paddling/ Hiking)
Aside from the travel time getting to and from such activities… I was thrilled with the kickoff to the summer ahead. And when it all balances out… the travel was well worth it.
Once again I loaded up my truck with all the gear needed for our fishing trip to Canada… and our paddle trip down the Missouri River (in Montana this year).
The six hours (404 miles) to get to central Illinois is muscle memory to me anymore.
The fourteen hours (833 miles) from central Illinois to the SWWL (near Dryden, Ontario) is hard on both ends (brain and butt). But luckily I was a passenger and could nap both ways.
The twenty two hours (1,435 miles) from central Illinois to the Upper Missouri River (near Fort Benton, Montana)… was truly a cross country trek to another world.
Having to repeat each of these for the trip home brings the total to 84 hours (5,344 miles) in transport just to get there and back. That adds up to a lot of coffee, Mountain Dew and sugary snacks trying to stay awake when driving.
We had kind of a late spring this year. We were rather concerned we would encounter some fairly frigid conditions. I had so many things packed that I was lucky to not have to use. But as always… the weather did keep things interesting. But on average… sunscreen was more critical than sweaters.
I drove to my brother Howard’s on May 29, 2026. After Chris arrived we had dinner and a show.
We drove to Dryden, Ontario on May 30.
On May 31 we drove out to the SWWL early for breakfast and fishing.
We fished for 4 days (May 31-June 3). For more details click here…
On June 4 we drove from the SWWL to Howard’s.
June 5 was our laundry and repacking day. That evening we loaded up for an early departure.
On June 6 we headed west toward an interim stop in Chamberlain, South Dakota.
On June 7 we continued north and west to drop my truck down river at Judith Landing… then on to the Coal Banks Landing campground for our first night camping on the river. As we headed toward Judith Landing… we kept seeing some very muddy RVs and wondered where they had been. We soon found out!
On June 8 we loaded and launched for 4 days/nights in the wilderness. No roads/towns/cell service. For more details click here…
On the afternoon of June 11… we arrived at Judith Landing… and decided to call an audible. We had delt with a lot of wind over the past couple days… and rain the night before. Instead of staying in the Judith Landing Campground (and eating more freeze-dried meals)… we loaded everything in/on my truck… and opted for a soft bed and shower at the Pioneer Lodge in Fort Benton. It was so nice to have a real meal… not to mention a few brews and shots. I think we all needed a good night’s sleep before the next couple of days driving.
One of these days… I need to follow my brother Howard’s lead and retire. Trying to cram all this into available vacation… still having enough left over for other things… makes for a very tightly packed couple of weeks.
But how blessed I am to be able to do these types of things… especially with family and dear friends that are a joy to be around. I feel lucky to live in a country and continent where we are able to travel freely… and experience the broad range of environments and people.