I went hunting for a new kayak . . . and ended up not buying one, but I heard from a salesman at Chesapeake Light Craft that Wilderness Systems is considering a 16 foot Pungo (they make a 14 foot one) . . . so I'll be using the Pungo Classic this trip. It's only 12 feet long, but it tracks well and I'll have it loaded down with nine days worth of food. Yes, 9 days.
I'm taking a Fishing Rod, getting a MN license for fish (and boat, required in MN for boats over 9 feet), and a fry pan, canola oil, lemon & pepper salt, bread crumbs . . . and probably going to use ramen noodles as my carbohydrate. I found dried veggies at my grocery store. Yes, Vegetable Chips! I'm taking jerky, turkey and ham, two tuna steaks (in case the Walleye don't bite), and a Summer Sausage roll with crackers for lunch. Lots of drink mixes. Coffee bags and tea bags. And Gorp coming out of my mind. And my EGGS, hard boiled. String Cheese and Bagels. I should be eating well. Probably end up bringing a lot back. I bought another mug. It's a 16 ouncer with handle that wraps around mug.
Stove is a canister style. I hope one canister is enough. We'll see. YES, I'm bringing along my mini-Trangia stove which I'll use on those nights I'm not frying up my Walleye. It uses alcohol and I'll have plenty enough with me. May use the alcohol stove to heat my tea and coffee. I'll bring something to drink with my fish . . . decant a bottle of white wine.
Tarp, Ground cloth, Sleeping bag, pad. And you know how I don't mind sleeping on cement. I'm using the pad as a defense inside my waterproof backpack to protect the pack. Clothes . . . shorts and tops and "five fingers" vibram 'shoes' plus my BassPro water shoes, outfit to stop at the hotel with bar. Thermies, fleece jacket and vest. My famous "Red Head" rain hat. My light nylon jacket and my rain anorack.
I'll be fine . . . weather right now is dipping to just under 50* at night. And it's raining during the day up in northern Minnesota.
For some reason, I can't download my photos from my Sony 2 G memory card to Picassa. SO, I will be going out and buying some Lithium AA batteries for my back up camera. Thank the good Lord for a back up camera!
Coming back home, I plan to stop in a few small towns in north central Minnesota. Itasca to see where the Mississippi starts, Pipestone, and I'm still working on the trip home. Putting the addresses in the GPS.
I'm car camping up but may stay in a motel. Haven't located a CG on my route. Definitely car camping back home.
Photos when I get back. From my back up camera.
Back in about three weeks.
